Smack bang in the middle of Jongro’s ajjushi territory, is Ikseondong. The area is known for its tiny alleyways filled with Hanoks (Korean traditional homes) converted into quaint stores, cafes and restaurants. If you go a little early in the morning to beat the crowds, one of the only cafes open is Café Highwaist.
Café Highwaist is a large café and bakery which has two branches. Like most of the buildings in the Ikseondong area, the café’s exterior has the traditional Hanok roof with the exposed crossbeams peaking out from under the roof tiles. The only difference is everything is painted white. However this roof was only thing reminiscent of Korean style architecture, because as soon as you walk inside you are greeted with a very vintage western style interior.
White was a main colour used in the space with it colouring the roof, some beams, walls and some of the cabinetry. There were also accents of different woods; the floor was a light wood, some beams were a dark oak, and some of the tables and chairs were a warm wood colour.
There were a variety of different seats, and while it would make it possible to work, the space was more suited to socalising over a piece of cake.
There was a huge skylight above the main counter. Not only did the skylight naturally light the café with beautiful morning sun, it also made the space feel bigger.
There were also splashes of colour from early western early 20th century posters and memorabilia, with a key focus on baking and afternoon tea wears.
However the centrepiece of the whole café was the main counter. Here, there was a huge selection of delicious baked goods on display. Bright cakes, breads, slices and pastries were lain out just waiting to be picked.
My friend and I went in early one morning for takeout. For drinks, I got a milk tea and my friend got an americano. Both the milk tea and americano were just so so. They were nothing to write home about, especially when the milk tea cost 7,500 and the coffee was 6,000.
But moving onto the main event; the bread. It was difficult to choose what I wanted because of the huge variety on offer. But I finally decided on a carrot cake and a basil pesto cream cheese stick pretzel.
Both were super delicious. The carrot cake was moist with a nice spiced flavour. The cream cheese topping was also super thick and added more moisture to the cake. It was also garnished with a cute carrot on top. The cream cheese pretzel was my personal favourite. The pretzel bread was lovely and soft, with the filling generously sandwiched in the middle. The basil cream cheese filling was packed with flavour and also had bits of onion in it which added a lovely sweetness to the mix.
Cafe Highwaist is a bakery lover’s dream. In dead beat terms this café is a western style bakery compete with a well styled vintage interior. While the drinks are mediocre, especially for their price, the baked goods are well worth the price. So whether you eat in or take out, make sure you don’t leave without indulging in at least one of the scrumptious baked goods on offer.
Cafe Highwaist Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cafe_highwaist
댓글