Gwanak café for yellow cheese muffins and iced coffee: Pulse Line Coffee

Pulse Line Coffee tucked into a Sha-ro-su-gil alley

I had plans with a friend near Seoul National University Station over the weekend, so we headed to Pulse Line Coffee (펄스라인커피), which has been emerging as a go-to spot for desserts on Sha-ro-su-gil.

It is atmospherically tucked into the main Sha-ro-su-gil alley after you come out of Exit 2 at Seoul National University Station, so it is super easy to reach. The exterior already had a modern yet mood-filled presence, and once inside, the clean aroma of specialty coffee welcomed us so nicely. It was not overly bustling, but calm and stylish—just the right space for a Sha-ro-su-gil date or a long chat.

Our handmade dessert and coffee order

After settling in, we looked over the menu at the counter, and the handmade desserts arranged in the display case looked seriously amazing. The crumble pies and muffins especially caught my eye right away.

• Iced Americano
• Iced long black
• Yellow cheese muffin
• Handmade crumble pie

We decisively picked two clean, dessert-friendly drinks and two signature handmade desserts. Even the neatly arranged presentation was already bursting with Instagram-worthy vibes.

How the crumble pie and yellow cheese muffin tasted

We sat down straight away and got into the coffee and desserts.

Handmade crumble pie

True to its status as the undisputed signature here, it was crisp on the outside and moist and pleasantly chewy within. With every bite, the crumble’s nutty, sweet flavor filled my mouth. It was not overly sweet, and the ingredients’ natural flavor came through, making it dangerously moreish with coffee. I immediately understood why people call this a Sha-ro-su-gil handmade pie favorite.

Yellow cheese muffin

This muffin stood out for the sweet-and-salty appeal of its dense yellow cheese. One bite brought a deep cheese aroma along with a rich, moist texture. Anyone who loves cheese would enjoy this quality without hesitation.

The iced long black and Americano pairing

For reference, a long black uses less water than a regular Americano and is made by drawing the espresso first, giving it a deeper flavor and an appealing weightier body.

A sip of the long black showed a nutty, full-bodied character that made the sweetest balance with the crumble pie. The clean, refreshing iced Americano also cut right through the richness of the yellow cheese muffin, leaving my palate refreshed. The beans’ own flavor was so excellent.

Final thoughts

From the polished atmosphere to the quality desserts and coffee alive with a deep bean aroma, this was a perfect hot spot on Sha-ro-su-gil. If you want a truly delicious crumble pie or a relaxed cup of rich coffee near Seoul National University Station, I strongly recommend visiting Pulse Line Coffee!