Korea’s First Soufflé Pancake Specialty Restaurant

Founded in 2017, ZenZen was Korea’s first restaurant dedicated to soufflé pancakes. Inspired by the Japanese “pankeki“(パンケーキ), ZenZen reinterprets the dish with a Korean twist, offering both sweet and savoury options. From the pancakes to the cream and toppings, everything is freshly made in-house using high-quality ingredients like fresh eggs and premium flour. Starting from their first store in Songdo, ZenZen has expanded to multiple locations including Seongsu, Jamsil, and Lotte Department Store branches in Ilsan and Konkuk University.

Map

Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang 11-gil, 10 Woori Cube Building 1F
ZenZen Seongsu

ZenZen Seongsu is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3. While close to the bustling main café street, the shop is tucked away in a quieter spot, offering a more relaxed atmosphere. Though its exterior is not particularly eye-catching, the spacious interior and well-arranged seating make it a hidden gem worth discovering.

How to Walk to ZenZen from Seongsu Station

1. Exit Seongsu Station Exit 3 and come down the escalator
2. Cross the small crosswalk towards Teal Table(Bedel Place) building and turn right
3. Turn left at Seongsui-ro 20-gil
4. Turn right at Yeonmujang 11-gil. As you approach the Woori Cube building, you will notice a small blue awning marking ZenZen’s entrance

Menu

ZenZen’s menu focuses on soufflé pancakes, available as both brunch meals and desserts, along with a variety of drinks. Desserts are priced around 15,000 KRW while brunch options are approximately 20,000 KRW. Although the prices are on the higher side, they seem reasonable considering the quality of ingredients and the labor-intensive cooking process. Since each soufflé pancake is made fresh upon order, the cooking time can take 30 minutes or more.

What I Ordered

All brunch plates come with three pieces of cheese-bacon soufflé pancakes as a base. These pancakes are coated with melted cheese and bacon bits, adding a savory depth that differentiates them from standard dessert-style pancakes.

1.Ham & Sausage All-Day Brunch Pancakes

This dish is topped with boneless ham, sausages, and eggs. While I don’t usually have strong opinions on sausages, my “saummelier” boyfriend raved about their unqiue flavor. The tender boneless ham also complemented the soft texture of the pancakes. The overall combination of sweet and savory elements was perfectly balanced.

2.Avocado All-Day Brunch Pancakes

This dish came with a generous portion of avocado, which was perfectly ripened to a creamy consistency and the natural creaminess of the avocado paired perfectly with the fluffy pancakes. Even without any strong condiments the dish allowed the fresh ingredients to shine, so I highly recommend this to all avocado lovers out there!

Vibe & Atmosphere

The interior of ZenZen Seongsu features a warm combination of wooden tones and brick walls, creating a cozy and inviting space. I visited in February but the Christmas tree was still up, adding to the wintery charm. Various plants placed throughout the café also enhanced the comfortable atmosphere.

You can watch the soufflé pancakes being made live through the open kitchen, and the high ceilings also add to the openness. When I visited during weekend lunch hours, the place was bustling with couples, friends, and families. ZenZen also seems like a popular spot on Baemin (Korea’s top food delivery app), as I noticed delivery riders frequently picking up orders; these pancakes would definitely make a great option for neighbours who want to enjoy a perfect brunch time at home.