VISIT JEJU

Seogwipo’s Tina Cake is named for the pâtissier. She worked in the United States, Australia and Canada and endeavors to make cakes that everyone can enjoy. Her baking style adopts the larger sizes/portions of cakes found in the U.S., but in deference to the Korean pallet she bakes with fresh whipped cream that uses 100% animal fat rather than heavy buttercream. Of the 15 to 20 kinds of seasonal pastries, cakes, and crepes on offer, the most popular is her carrot cake. There are also a selection of drip coffee and homemade drinks. You can order whole cakes and Christmas cakes, including special decorations tailored to you, for an additional 10~20,000 won. 

The name of this bakery in Korean conjures up images of collecting things. And that’s what you get here, as the menu is full of rustic and fine delicacies from scones and Madeleines, to Dacquoise and cookie cups. Using primarily seasonal ingredients, one of Moang’s most popular items is fresh cream cake with strawberries (in winter), blueberries and peaches (in summer), and figs and camembert in the autumn. They also prepare just enough to sell that day, minimizing waste. But that means you have to be right on time to order your favorite baked item... before it’s sold out. Over the Christmas holiday you can order meringue cookies with strawberry whipped cream, green tea pound cake drizzled with white chocolate, or a classic chocolate cake with fresh whipped cream.

The selection of baked goods here is noticeably different from the regular fare. Items like the Jeju powered tea crepes, Jeju tofu cheesecake, and the Jeju black sesame sweet potato cake, among many others. Blee Cake prides itself on using Jeju ingredients, organic wheat flour, sugar, and antibiotic-free eggs. For its Christmas menu this year there’s a special strawberry shortcake and black forest (cerise au chocolat) cake. Visiting the cafe in person, you’ll enjoy their Christmas decorations and warm atmosphere.

Christmas in Germany means a fruit bread covered in baking sugar known as Stollen. It’s heavy, spicy, and sweet, loaded down with fruit, nuts and seasonings, then sprinkled with butter and sugar powder. It is also called "Christstollen" because it is similar to the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Ttottosi prepares a special Stollen for the Christmas season in Seogwipo. They add 15 kinds of fruits and nuts, including local citrus, persimmons, and kiwi which are pickled in rum for one year. Make sure to cut your slices thinly, as that will help bring out the full complexity of the flavors. This Stollen will be sold through December until they run out of their pre-prepared ingredients. Try some if you can — it’s sure to give you a taste of the holiday spirit!