Gwangjang Market dessert: ranking 6 mugwort choco pies at Ssuk's

I was walking around Gwangjang Market when this all-green storefront caught my eye, so I stopped in at Ssuk's Choco Pie. I thought they'd only have mugwort choco pie, but it turned out there were way more flavors than I expected. Since I wanted to try a bunch, I went with the 6-piece set.

Where Ssuk's Choco Pie Seoul is and what the sets cost

• Address | 25 Jongno 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Location | Inside Gwangjang Market, near Jongno 5-ga Station Exit 7
• Signature menu | Mugwort choco pie, handmade choco pie
• 3-piece gift set | ₩13,400
• 6-piece gift set | ₩24,800

Once you head deeper into Gwangjang Market, the bright green storefront jumps right out, so it wasn't hard to find.

The inside is all green too. As a brand built around mugwort (ssuk), the color scheme really commits. There are cute character motifs and the gift packaging is clean, so it was fun just browsing the desserts even before buying anything.

There were plenty of photo spots and the gift boxes were well designed, so I think anyone looking for a Gwangjang Market snack or a Seoul souvenir would like this place too.

What kind of bakery is Ssuk's Choco Pie Seoul?

As the name suggests, Ssuk's Choco Pie mainly makes desserts built around mugwort. They use regional specialty ingredients like Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort, and the whole concept feels like a Korean take on choco pie — which fits right in with the Gwangjang Market atmosphere. It also seemed like a solid option for a Gwangjang Market gift or a Seoul souvenir.

More mugwort choco pie flavors than expected

At first I assumed they'd just have the one mugwort choco pie, but once I looked closer there were actually quite a few kinds.

• Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort
• Sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi
• Sea-breeze mugwort whole red bean
• Udo peanut
• Gwangju real chocolate
• Nonsan strawberry

On top of that there's the sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie and various scones. With so many flavors to choose from, it was fun picking out a bunch.

What went into the 24,800 won six-piece gift set

I couldn't pick just one, so I went with the 6-piece gift set. The 6-piece set is ₩24,800 and the 3-piece set is ₩13,400. You get to choose which choco pies or cookies go in.

I picked these six: sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi, Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort, sea-breeze mugwort whole red bean, Udo peanut, Gwangju real chocolate, and sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie.

Everything's individually wrapped, so it's easy to grab one at a time, and it all comes in a box that looks clean and gift-appropriate.

Sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi: my favorite of the six

Of the six, the sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi (chewy rice cake) was the best. It tastes like choco pie right away, but there's rice cake inside, so the texture is genuinely great. The mugwort flavor isn't too strong, you get the nuttiness of injeolmi alongside it, and then there's that chewy rice cake in the middle — really fun to eat. Out of all six, this was my favorite. If it's your first time trying mugwort choco pie, start with the sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi.

Sea-breeze mugwort with whole red beans

The sea-breeze mugwort whole red bean pie had an especially pretty cross-section. Cream and red bean are layered between the mugwort sheets, so it should suit anyone who likes both mugwort and red bean. The added sweetness of the red bean makes this one worth recommending for fans of mugwort rice cake or red bean desserts.

Gwangju real chocolate

The Gwangju real chocolate pie genuinely tasted like classic choco pie. But it felt a bit healthier and more refined than a regular choco pie. Best of all, the sweetness wasn't overpowering, so it was easy to keep eating. There's plenty of chocolate flavor without going sickly sweet, so chocolate fans should like this one easily. My top pick was the mugwort injeolmi, but the real chocolate was another one I'd buy again.

Udo peanut

The Udo peanut pie is loaded with peanuts on top. You get that crunchy peanut texture with every bite, so the nutty flavor is definitely the highlight. It's a different vibe from the mugwort flavors, so it was nice to alternate between them.

Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort

The Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort pie is the most basic version. Cream sits between mugwort sheets, and the outside is coated in chocolate. There's that distinctive mugwort aroma, but with the cream it goes down easier than you'd expect. If you like mugwort desserts, this is a solid baseline flavor to try.

The sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie I kept craving

And then, unexpectedly, the one I kept reaching for was the sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie. The cookie is really thick with a good chewy bite, and the mugwort flavor is subtle enough not to be overwhelming. Add in that salty edge, and the sweet-salty combo was genuinely delicious. If the mugwort injeolmi is my top pick, this is the surprise repeat-buy.

Does the Gwangjang Market gift box work as a present?

Everything comes individually wrapped and the box packaging is clean, so besides being a snack to bring home, it also works well as a Gwangjang Market gift. You can mix and match flavors in one box, which makes it easy to tailor to whoever you're giving it to.

Verdict: Ssuk's Choco Pie Seoul is a Gwangjang Market stop worth mixing flavors at

• Easy-to-spot green storefront inside Gwangjang Market
• Wide variety, from mugwort choco pie to cookies
• 6-piece set is great for trying multiple flavors
• Sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi is my top pick for its rice-cake texture
• Gwangju real chocolate is less sweet and more refined
• Sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie is thick and salty — a nice surprise
• Individually wrapped, so it's a good Gwangjang Market gift option

My two top picks were the sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi and the sea-breeze mugwort salted cookie. I think I'll buy these two again next time! That's my Gwangjang Market dessert recommendation, done!