Kurumi Dessert Shop

About

Just outside Myeongnyun Station Exit 4, Kurumi is easiest by subway. There is no dedicated parking; drivers use the paid Myeongnyun Station public lot. A queue forms along the chained-off sandy area outside, and the narrow shop admits only a few parties at a time. Come in the morning for the best bread choice.

Lemon madeleines carry a white lemon-icing coat. Double-cheese jalapeno bread layers cheese and chopped jalapenos, while Kurumi mochi focuses on a chewy rice-flour texture. The Tsuji-trained pastry chef also makes Japanese-style yakisoba bread, melon bread and curry buns.

The fried curry bun is filled to the ends with rich Japanese-style curry. Egg-mayo toast, jambon-beurre, ciabatta, baguettes and loaves fill out the range, but much of the display has been empty by 15:00 on a weekday visit.

Only a few window seats are available. During the summer bingsu season, table use is limited to 60 minutes after serving. Milk red-bean bingsu costs KRW 14,500 and white-bean bingsu with Jeju hojicha KRW 18,000. The shop sign and map list different closing times; call about stock and closing time for a late visit.