Korean mugwort desserts have been a steady presence in Seoul’s dessert cafe scene, especially with grandmillennials bringing traditional flavors back into focus. Many of the cafes embracing this new-tro movement are also experimenting with rice flour and gluten-free baking, since Korean-style cakes naturally lend themselves well to rice/wheat-free ingredients.
I’ve recently started a personal cafe-hopping project to search for the best gluten-free cakes in Seoul. And in this post, I’ll be reviewing 3 recent spots that stood out: 1994 Bakeshop, Chaseonchaek & Yellow Butter Dream. Each cafe approaches gluten-free baking in its own way from deeply Korean flavors to European-inspired desserts.
Table of Contents
1. 1994 Bakeshop
Low Sugar & Gluten Free Cafe in Mangwon-dong
Located in Mangwon-dong, 1994 Bakeshop is a dessert cafe known for its low-sugar, gluten-free recipes that emphasize deep flavors from natural ingredients. The bakery has built a strong following among dessert lovers for its gâteau-style cakes and jar cakes that showcase K-ingredients like mugwort, black sesame, and pumpkin.
Menu & Pricing
1994 Bakeshop’s menu rotates regularly so it’s best to check their Instagram account for the daily lineup. Their cakes are priced between 8,000 and 9,000 won, while the larger fraisier-style cakes are about 14,000 won.
What I Ordered
Mugwort Injeolmi Gateau
My favorite menu from 1994 Bakeshop is the mugwort injeolmi gateau, featuring layers of mugwort gateau, injeolmi ganache, mugwort milk cream, and injeolmi crumble. The gateau layer has a chewy, brownie-like texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft & smooth cream layers.
A generous sprinkle of injeolmi crumble on top adds a crunchy texture and a nutty soybean flavor. The overall herbal aroma of the mugwort is gentle yet distinct, and the restrained sweetness keeps all the components balanced and refined.
Caramel Pumpkin Mousse Cake
On a separate visit, I also tried the caramel pumpkin mousse cake, made with pumpkin cheesecake, caramel pumpkin mousse, and milk cream, topped with a thin drizzle of caramel sauce. Compared to the dense gateau, this cake was much lighter and softer. Large chunks of pumpkin added a pleasant texture to the smooth mousse, and the lightly drizzled caramel brought forward the natural sweetness of the pumpkin.
Vibe & Atmosphere
1994 Bakeshop is about a ten-minute walk from Mangwon Station. It’s slightly tucked away from the main market street, which gives it a quieter, more relaxed feel even from the outside. The interior has a clean retro aesthetic defined by dark wood furniture and green tile accents.
Most of the seating consists of small two-person tables, along with one large table for up to 8 people. While there were a lot of people stopping by for takeaway, the space itself feels cozy enough for a longer cafe break, especially with a clean restroom conveniently located inside.
2. Chaseonchaek
Korean Style Dessert Cafe in Apugjeong
Originally founded in Busan, Chaseonchaek expanded to Seoul by opening a second shop in Apgujeong. The cafe presents itself as a quiet semi-hanok space that offers a serene setting that feels more like a tea space than a typical dessert shop. All of Chaseonchaek’s cakes are zero-sugar and gluten-free, handmade with an emphasis on lighter, health-conscious ingredients.
Menu & Pricing
Compared to 1994 Bakeshop, Chaseonchaek’s cake selection is slightly smaller but it still covers a wide range of flavors from mugwort and black sesame to more familiar options like chocolate and milk tea. Their gateau cakes are all topped with runny cream and crumbles that add a more impressive presentation. All gateau cakes were priced at 9,500 won, and the drinks start from 5,500 won for an Americano. FYI decaf is available for an additional 1,000 won.
What I Ordered
Mugwort Gateau
I ordered their mugwort gateau, continuing my exploration of Korean mugwort desserts. The cake consisted of a dense mugwort gateau base layered with mugwort cream and finished with a generous topping of injeolmi-colored cream. The gateau itself was similar to the one I had at 1994 Bakeshop, with the same pleasant herbal notes of mugwort. But Chasunchaek’s version felt slightly softer and more velvety, likely because of the cream layered on top. The addition of soybean powder and nuts enhanced both the visual presentation and the overall flavor by adding a nutty depth.
Vibe & Atmosphere
Located about a five-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5, Chasunchaek is the most spacious cafe among the three spots featured in this review. It spans two floors, with ordering on the first floor and additional seating and a restroom upstairs.
The interior reflects the cafe’s bamboo motif logo, and the East Asian aesthetic carries naturally throughout the space. Dark wood furniture and bamboo greenery create a calm, semi-hanok atmosphere that feels quiet and grounded. Its size and layout make it suitable both for relaxed conversations and for working/studying.
3. Yellow Butter Dream
European Style Gluten Free Cake in Sharosugil
Yellow Butter Dream, located near Seoul National University, is another gluten-free dessert cafe specializing in cakes made without wheat flour, using rice flour or starch instead. Unlike the chewy brownie-like gateau at 1994 Bakeshop and Chaseonchaek, the cakes here have a light, sponge-like texture similar to classic Western cakes.
Menu & Pricing
Yellow Butter Dream offers a wide range of desserts that rotate daily, and their lineup is updated on Instagram everyday. On the day I visited, the selection included earl grey chocolate cake, strawberry cake, blueberry cheesecake, and even the wildly popular Dubai chewy cookie. Slice cakes are priced in the 7,000–9,000 won range and drinks start from 4,500 won for an Americano. (Decaffeinated coffee is not available.)
What I Ordered
Earl Grey Chocolate Cake
I chose the earl grey chocolate cake, which featured alternating layers of Earl Grey rice genoise and milk tea chantilly cream, finished with a thin, chewy chocolate coating on top. The chocolate coating introduced a slight chew that contrasted nicely with the airy genoise. Overall the tea flavor was more pronounced than the chocolate, and the fragrant tea notes balanced well with the fluffy sponge base.
Vibe & Atmosphere
Yellow Butter Dream is located about a 10-minute walk from Seoul National University Station Exit 1, in the Sharosugil area. Sharosugil is a popular street near SNU named after the university’s “Sha” logo. The cafe occupies the second floor of a small building on Sharosugil. Unlike the understated exterior, the interior is decorated with yellow accents and antique-inspired European ornaments that create a cute cottage-like atmosphere.
The cafe itself is compact, with closely spaced seating that makes it better suited for solo visitors or pairs than for larger groups. I was there on a Sunday and from around 2pm, the space was completely packed. Because of the limited seating and compact space, it works best as a place for a short dessert break rather than for work/studying.
Overall
Out of the three spots covered in this review, my personal favorite was 1994 Bakeshop, which had the most variety in its unique gluten-free dessert lineup. I was especially drawn to how creatively they work with K-ingredients, and I also want to go back to try their jar cakes next time.
Both Chaseonchaek and Yellow Butter Dream also offer their own creative take on rice flour desserts so for anyone looking for unique GF desserts in Seoul, all three spots should be worth adding to your next cafe-hopping list☕🤎🍰
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