Ice cream shops in Seoul
Unique ice cream shops in Seoul
Image adapted from (left to right): @applejuicy_7, @roseline0922 and @zihyuuu_
When we talk about ice-cold Korean desserts, most people immediately think of bingsu, or Korean shaved ice. The main allure of bingsu is the sheer variety of flavours – matcha, injeolmi (Korean dessert rice cake), and even ones served in watermelon shells.
That being said, there are days when you want to grab an ice cream instead. We’ve found 10 ice cream shops in Seoul that serve unique flavours like gochujang (red chilli paste) chocolate and truffle olive oil, just to take things to the next level.
1. Scooper Gelato 스쿠퍼젤라또
Image credit: @mayumi_qz7
Scooper Gelato’s storefront looks ordinary, save for the brightly-coloured chairs lined right outside. And while it’s a small ice cream parlour, it’s a local favourite to hit up for a good scoop of gelato.
Image credit: @jiyoung0605
If a classic vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream is too normal for you, try flavours like rice or mugwort injeolmi. On hotter days, choose from refreshing flavours like red grape, watermelon, plum, and even tomato.
Image credit: @bykimby
Don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind over which flavour to get because for every order (KRW4,000, ~USD3.30 for cup/cone), you can choose up to two flavours with a mini dollop of a third flavour.
Take-away is also available. The smallest serving, piccolo, goes for KRW12,000 (~USD9.80), while medio and grande sizes are priced at KRW15,000 (~USD12.20) and KRW19,000 (~USD15.50) respectively.
Address: 158, Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-9PM, Closed on Mon
Telephone: 010-8620-7623
Website
2. Cold Recipe 콜드레시피 아이스크림
Image credit: @o.sogil_
It’s hard to pass by Cold Recipe without a second glance. With a huge eye-catching pink ice cream cone on the storefront, you’ll be drawn towards the shop even on days when you’re not craving for ice cream.
Image credit: @mongsant_j
Their handcrafted ice cream is made in-house and comes at affordable prices. A single scoop, depending on the flavour, is only KRW2,900 (~USD2.40) or KRW3,800 (~USD3.10), whereas a double scoop will cost you anywhere from KRW5,300 to KRW7,100 (~USD4.30-USD5.80).
Image credit: @roseline0922
What keeps customers coming back for their ice cream is the unique sweet and savoury combinations they’ve invented. A few noteworthy flavours are matcha cheese and strawberry basil.
If such combinations are not something up your alley, have a go at a refreshing scoop of white peach. And for alcohol lovers, the mojito sorbet is worth a try.
Image adapted from (left to right): @songemonic and @roseline0922
Those who can’t get enough of Cold Recipe’s ice cream can bring home pre-packaged pints (KRW11,000, ~USD8.90 each) in selected flavours.
Address: 132-38 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-9.30PM, Closed on Mon
Telephone: 02-323-1550
Website
3. Sticky Ricky’s Ice Cream
Image credit: @roseline0922
Sticky Ricky’s Ice Cream creates Philadelphia-style ice cream with a twist by incorporating locally sourced ingredients.
Image credit: @july04monday
Don’t expect to find one-dimensional options here as Uncle Ricky is all about serving unique flavours, including cinnamon caramel apple, chocolate PB swirl, peach pie, barrel-roasted Korean sweet potato, and salted caramel cookie party. Expect to pay KRW4,000 (~USD3.30) for a single scoop, KRW6,000 (~USD4.90) for double scoop, and KRW8,000 (~USD6.50) for triple scoop.
If these flavours are still not unique enough, give the Thai green curry and gochujang chocolate ice creams a try.
Image credit: @sua_ssi
Before leaving, have a look at the shop’s merchandise, which includes graphic tees, tote bags, and stickers.
Address: 28 Duteopbawi-ro 1-gil, Namyeong-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Wed – Fri 12PM-8PM | Sat & Sun 1PM-8PM, Closed on Mon & Tue
Website
4. THE MARTIN
Image adapted from (left to right): @sth.like__ and @hyoooooni_
THE MARTIN is a small stall along the roadside, run by an ahjussi who’s always striking up conversation with his customers. But besides his friendly nature, this is the right place to be if you’re looking for something more than just an ice cream waffle.
Image credit: @nicemehee
The store’s bestseller is none other than the ham gelato croissant sandwich (KRW15,000, ~USD12.20), a brainchild of the owner. The croissant is filled with vanilla gelato, parma ham, and a dash of black pepper – a sweet and savoury match made in heaven. Not only is the croissant buttery and flaky, the touch of black pepper adds an additional kick to the already complex flavour profile from the other ingredients.
Image credit: @breads_eater
For a simple ice cream treat, you can just get a gelato cup (KRW6,000, ~USD4.90).
Note: It’ll cost you KRW7,000 if you would like to try the flavours before deciding on one.
Address: 10, Jahamun-ro 33-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11.30AM-9PM | Sat & Sun 12PM-7PM, Closed on Tue
Telephone: 02-738-2299
Website
5. Gelateria Dangdo 당도
Image credit: @younggwangeee
It’s tough enough to resist a regular cup of ice cream, but it’s almost impossible to do so at Gelateria Dangdo, thanks to their cute presentation. Over here, every cup is decorated with cheeky expressions that helps to brighten up our day.
Image adapted from: @gelateria_dangdo
For KRW3,900 (~USD3.20), you can enjoy a cup or cone of ice cream with two flavours of your choice, including unique ones like basil milk, basil tomato, and black rice. Since you’re already here, stock up on their ice cream by getting a to-go box (KRW18,000, ~USD14.60) that allows you to choose up to three flavours.
Address: 106 Poeun-ro, Mangwon 1(il)-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 12.30PM-8PM, Closed on Mon
Telephone: 070-8690-1088
Website
6. Molly’s Pops
Image credit: @mollys_pops_
For something a little different from the usual ice cream cup or cone, visit Molly’s Pops – they sell homemade ice cream popsicle sticks (KRW4,000, ~USD3.30).
Image credit: @greysuitcase
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the variety of flavours available. For those with a sweet tooth, try watermelon, mint chocolate, and peanut chocolate. Savoury options, such as salted caramel, lemon basil, and powdered soybean, are just as good. And for the most adventurous foodie out there, give the wasabi flavour a go.
But wait, we’re not done yet. Other must-try flavours include Kahlua makgeolli, Erdinger beer, and wine and strawberry – but only if you’re above the legal drinking age of 19.
They also offer drinks here, but the menu is fairly simple. You can choose to have an americano (KRW2,000, ~USD1.60), beer (KRW6,5000, ~USD5.30), or mojito float (KRW6,500, ~USD5.30).
Address: 332-20 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-10PM, Closed on Mon
Telephone: 070-4300-3045
Website
7. nocturne no.5 녹턴넘버5
Image credit: @yeriel.s
Stepping foot into nocturne no.5 is like ascending to matcha heaven. The shop specialises in matcha-flavoured ice cream, which is made from matcha powder sourced from Jeju.
Image credit: @zihyuuu_
There are six types of matcha ice cream to choose from – no.1 심쿵, no.2 썸, no.3 호감, no.4 설렘, no.5 열정, no.5+ 프로포즈. It’s named according to the stages of a relationship – from “heart skipping a beat” to “propose” – and numbered according to the increasing intensity of the matcha flavour. Likewise, a scoop of each is also priced in an ascending order, as such:
- no.1 심쿵, KRW2,900 (~USD2.40)
- no.2 썸, no.3 호감, no.4 설렘, and no.5 열정, KRW3,500 (~USD2.80)
- no.5+ 프로포즈, KRW3,800 (~USD3.10)
Every dine-in order is served on a wooden stand, and this attention to detail helps elevate the aesthetics of the ice cream and keeps the crowd coming back for more.
Image credit: @hyeinheo
If you can’t make up your mind on which intensity to opt for, there’s a platter of all 6 matcha flavours going for only KRW19,000 (~USD15.40).
Image credit: @hajunggg
This ice cream shop sure takes its matcha seriously, as it also offers other dessert options like matcha cheesecake (KRW5,500, ~USD4.50). Like the ice cream platter, you’ll get a taste of the different matcha intensities in its gradient cream cheese filling.
Address: 117 Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 12.30PM-8.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 02-6954-0960
Website
8. SALty boB
Image credit: @breads_eater
If you’re a fan of Thai iced tea and mango sticky rice, check out SALty boB as they’ve taken this iconic combination to a whole new level by turning them into ice cream treats.
Image credit: @yoouzin
The ice cream (KRW4,500, ~USD3.70) selection here is simple, but enough to keep customers coming back for more. The shop has three flavours available – cereal milk, real mango, and Thai tea. Every scoop is topped off with a generous amount of sticky rice – just like what you’d get in Thai mango sticky rice – to give you an ultimate Thai dessert fix.
Can’t get enough of the glistening sticky rice that’s drenched in a thick and creamy coconut sauce? All you’ve got to do is add on KRW1,000 (~USD0.80) for an extra scoop of it.
Address: 66, 27-gil Hannam-daero, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Wed – Mon 1PM-9PM, Closed on Tue
Telephone: 010-4258-2022
Website
9. FELL + COLE 펠앤콜
Image credit: @fellncole
Whether you’re a Neapolitan ice cream lover or someone who’s up to try interesting new flavours, FELL + COLE is a classic Italian-style ice cream shop that’ll have all your cravings satisfied.
At KRW5,000-KRW5,200 (~USD4-USD4.20) a scoop, you can find Italian cuisine-influenced flavours like truffle olive oil and spiced pumpkin. Their menu changes regularly and other flavours to look out for are hallabong sorbet, whisky lemon curd, and perilla leaf.
Image credit: @dalvely0216
Dogs are in for a treat at FELL + COLE too as they also offer ice cream for good puppers at only KRW2,500 (~USD2).
Address: 310-11 Seogang-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Sun – Fri 12PM-9PM | Sat 12PM-10PM
Telephone: 070-4411-1434
Website
10. SOBOK 소복
Image credit: @sobokorea
Indulging in a sweet treat like ice cream can be really sinful, but you don’t really need to worry about it at SOBOK as they serve all-natural handmade soft serve ice cream with no added artificial flavourings.
Image credit: @biancaongcj_
Do a quick location tag search on Instagram and you’ll instantly be faced with an endless stream of their best-selling set – grain soft serve and injeolmi ice ball set (KRW12,900, ~USD10.40). Their grain soft serve (KRW5,500, ~USD4.40) is made from white and brown rice and beautifully plated with dried persimmon, mochi, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin.
Their injeolmi ice ball (KRW7,500, ~USD6) is another crowd favourite. The ice balls are made from shaved ice stuffed with a chewy tteok (rice cake) and covered with injeolmi powder – an interesting mix of textures and flavours not found elsewhere.
Image credit: @riiie______16
If you’re just looking for an ice cream fix on the go, make sure to try their sweet potato ice cream cone (KRW6,500, ~USD5.20). It’s a perfect choice when you’re in need of something sweet and savoury, yet not too overwhelming.
Address: DDP design market, 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 02-2235-0188
Website
Unique ice cream flavours
On days when you’re craving for a sweet indulgence, skip the usual bingsu places and check out these ice cream shops we’ve found in Seoul. From your usual vanilla and chocolate ice cream flavours to truffle olive oil and even gochujang and wasabi, we’re pretty sure you won’t run out of flavours to try.
Here are other articles to plan for your next trip to Korea:
- 8 Things to do in Seoul at night
- 8 Korean drinking games
- 21 Korean movies to watch
- Korean drinking culture
- Seongsu-dong guide