A Cozy Visit to Cafe Kieri in Itaewon
Hello :)
After a long time, I enjoyed a leisurely weekday visit to Cafe Kieri located in Itaewon.
Usually, weekends come with long wait times, which made it hard for me to visit, but this time, I went on a Friday during lunchtime, and I was the only customer in the store.
Having just completed a health check-up, I was very hungry and decided to brave the blood sugar spike for some Kieri treats.
I've been visiting this cafe consistently for several years, and the taste remains unchanged. Despite being tucked away in an alley without any branches, it’s a place I always find myself returning to.
In the incredibly quiet and pleasant atmosphere, I picked out my cakes without any wait and was able to pack them right away.
Just a note: the cafe emphasizes silence. If multiple people visit, they may be refused entry, and customers are often reminded to keep their conversations quiet. I was the only one there that day, but I was still asked to keep it down.
This time, I packed two cakes: the Honey Sweet Potato Cheesecake (which I always get) and the Earl Grey Cheese Lavender Cream Cake. Together with an Americano takeout, it was a satisfying dessert and coffee experience.
In addition to the cakes I chose, there were many others available, and with Christmas approaching, there were seasonal cakes that resembled trees!
The quantity of cakes available on a weekday lunchtime was ample.
The Honey Sweet Potato Cheesecake is a must-have for the owner, who loves sweet potatoes. With any dish containing sweet potatoes, I can't resist!
This cake was a delightful blend of softness, nuttiness, richness, and natural sweetness.
The dense texture typical of cheesecakes combined with the fluffy texture of sweet potatoes creates a very luxurious experience.
As soon as it hits your mouth, the subtle sweetness of honey balances the overall flavor, and the richness of cheese is absent, leaving a clean finish with the distinct lightness of sweet potatoes.
It was impressive how they could create such a magnificent dessert without using flour.
The Earl Grey Cheese Lavender Cream Cake started with an aromatic experience. From the moment I cut the cake, the delicate aroma of Earl Grey tea and floral lavender filled the air, heightening my anticipation.
A friend who shared the cake with me remarked that the lavender cream tasted minty, which was surprising. Although I thought mint cream with Earl Grey would be delightful, it turned out to be lavender cream. Whatever it was, it was delicious.
When you take a bite, the smooth lavender cream and Earl Grey cheese blend delicately, making you feel as if you are enjoying dessert in a high-end tea room.
Rather than bold flavors, it’s all about refined, clean aromas and textures. The balance of scents and flavors was impressive.
It tasted even better with coffee.
The Americano I had alongside the dessert exceeded my expectations. It had a clean and deep flavor, with a moderate acidity and a heavy body that complemented the sweet dessert perfectly.
Even as a takeout, it maintained the right temperature and balance, making it a great coffee to enjoy leisurely with the cake.
As it cooled slightly, the richer flavors emerged, and I found it even more enjoyable with a little water added.
For those considering a visit, Kieri is known for its mandatory wait times on weekends. However, I visited on a Friday morning and was able to choose my cakes leisurely without any wait.
If you’ve been hesitant due to the wait, I highly recommend visiting on a weekday morning.
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