A Sweet Escape at First Coffee Lab
After having ramen for lunch, I found myself craving a sweet dessert.
This time, I visited First Coffee Lab near Sinnonhyeon Station.
I had my eye on this place when I visited Dummyung Seoul last time!
Address: 25, Gangnam-daero 94-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Last Order: 12:30 AM
Parking: Public parking lots 1 and 2 at Yeoksam Cultural Park (300 KRW per 5 minutes), 8 minutes on foot
Getting There: A 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station
I parked at the second parking lot of Yeoksam Cultural Park, but I recommend the first one.
It takes an extra 1-2 minutes to walk, but for me as a pregnant woman, the first lot is more convenient due to its flat terrain.
For those using public transport, it’s closer if you exit from Sinnonhyeon Station.
The café is located in a two-story building on a hillside.
The white pebbles and cherry blossom decorations are beautiful, making it a popular spot during the blooming season!
First Coffee Lab has unique operating hours, open from 11 AM to 1 AM.
It’s rare to find a café open so late in this area, making it a great option for night owls.
The entrance features a large mirror and cherry blossom decorations, and while I was taking photos, the owner mistook us for foreigners and greeted us in English!
In fact, there were quite a few foreign customers.
They make their bread using premium President butter.
There’s a bakery next to the counter where you can see freshly made bread being moved to the display.
Especially, the strawberry croissant caught my eye.
The dessert display stretches long on both sides, and unlike many large cafés that leave bread exposed, here each item is covered with a dome lid for hygiene.
They have a variety of visually appealing items like financiers, madeleines, waffles, and croissants, along with a Basque cheesecake at the counter.
I ordered a strawberry croffle for 7,800 KRW, a Roche madeleine for 3,800 KRW, a double matcha Basque for 8,800 KRW, a nutty cream latte for 8,500 KRW (decaf), and a crème brûlée einspänner for 9,000 KRW (decaf).
I chose these drinks from the two signature menu items, and both could be made decaf!
I sat by the window on the first floor, where natural light streamed in and the white tables made it a great spot for photos.
The dishes that came out were so beautiful that I almost didn’t want to eat them.
The background music was nice, and it was fun to people-watch.
The strawberry croffle was my favorite! The use of President butter made it particularly rich and flavorful.
The cream was delicious, the strawberries were fresh, and the texture was perfectly crispy!
The Roche madeleine was like a big Ferrero Rocher, with a fluffy texture and a flavor that matched perfectly.
The café's packaging is pretty, making the Roche madeleine a great gift for the upcoming Valentine’s Day!
The double matcha Basque cheesecake was topped with matcha cream cheese and a matcha KitKat, and it paired well with coffee without being too sweet.
The crème brûlée einspänner was delightful, especially the first sip with the sweet, sugar-coated cream.
The nutty cream latte had a sugared rim on the glass, adding sweetness with each sip, while the finish was slightly bitter, complementing the desserts.
In front of the restroom on the first floor, there’s a beautiful media art installation with a sea concept that made for a great selfie.
After checking out the restroom, I was curious about the second floor, and wow, it felt like a completely different café!
The space was incredibly spacious, filled with media art, making me feel like I was in the Artium Museum.
While the first floor has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, the second floor is vibrant and lively.
Next time, I will definitely check out the second floor as well.
First Coffee Lab is a great spot for taking pictures and enjoying delicious desserts!
I recommend it as a date spot near Gangnam Station.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/kson112444/224175730634
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