Uijeongbu café dessert comparison: Forerest’s two Basque cheesecakes

You know how, even when you go to a café, it can be hard to feel like you really rested if it is crowded and hectic? This time, I wanted to take things a little more slowly, so I visited Forerest (포어레스트), a popular cake café in Nogyang-dong, Uijeongbu.

Set among plenty of trees, it had the lovely feeling of a little trip into the forest even though I had not gone far from central Uijeongbu.

Forerest exterior and parking

This is the exterior I saw when I first arrived. It felt a little different from the large, flashy cafés you see everywhere these days. With its gray brick walls and red roof, it almost felt more like a small cottage in the woods than a café.

There is a parking sign beside the building like this. Just follow the arrow toward the lower rear area. Forerest is listed as a café with parking, so it was convenient to visit by car.

Forerest’s distinctive mood was already apparent at the arched brick entrance. There was an umbrella stand as well, so it looked like a good place to visit on a rainy day.

Once inside, I spotted “for a rest” written large across one wall. Rather than a flashy sign, it looked as though each letter had been made individually with tape, which suited the space beautifully.

Different seating areas at Forerest

A little farther in, this space opens up. The wooden floors and furniture, plants, and artwork came together to create an overall warm, comfortable atmosphere.

The main area had a higher ceiling than I expected. The ceiling was finished in wood tones, and the large windows looked out onto the trees, making it feel much more spacious. There were tables for two to four people as well as big tables for groups, so it looked suitable for dates, families, or friends.

One thing I liked about Forerest was that the interior was not simply one large hall. There were several areas divided up almost like rooms, so it was fun just looking around at the different seats.

In another area, there was also a long row of seating by the window. Sitting right in front of the window gave you a straight-on view of the trees outside, and personally, this was the seat I wanted most. It looked great for a quiet conversation or spending time alone.

This is the view from the window. The large window framed the trees outside like a picture, and I think the mood would change completely with each season.

There were quite a few outdoor seats too. Rather than a neatly arranged urban terrace, it felt more like tables placed one by one among the trees. That made it fit Forerest’s forest-like atmosphere even better.

Original and chocolate Basque cheesecakes

After taking a lap around the space, I chose my menu. There was a wide range from coffee to ades and tea, and the Basque cheesecakes came in several flavors besides the original, including chocolate, black sesame, and matcha. Forerest says its Basque cheesecakes are made in-house, then refrigerated for 16 hours before serving!

After a short wait, everything I ordered arrived together. The bright orange juice, apple ade, original Basque, and chocolate Basque made for quite a generous spread. If two people visit, one cheesecake would probably be enough, but I was curious about the flavors, so I ordered one original and one chocolate to compare.

Orange juice and apple ade

First, the orange juice! Its deep color alone made it look refreshing. Ordering one tangy drink alongside a rich dessert like cheesecake made for a nice combination. It was cool, sweet, and tart after a sip, so it was easy to drink. There was plenty of ice too, making it perfect for sipping between bites of dessert.

This is the apple ade I ordered alongside it. The pale apple color settled at the bottom while bubbles rose above it, giving it a different look from the orange juice. I mixed it well before drinking. With its carbonation, it felt much more refreshing than the orange juice, and its sweet-tart flavor went nicely with the dense cheesecake.

The difference between the two Basques

And then, the Basque cheesecakes I had been looking forward to most! I ordered the original Basque cheesecake and chocolate Basque cheesecake together. You can clearly see the color difference even in the photo, right? One was a pale cream color and the other a deep chocolate brown, so I was curious which I would like better. I cut into the chocolate Basque first. The inside felt fairly dense as I pressed in the fork, but it sliced smoothly. The cross-section was richly chocolate-colored too, so it looked like it would be intensely flavored just from looking at it.

One bite confirmed it: the chocolate flavor came through much more clearly than in the original Basque. The rich chocolate depth joined the nutty flavor of the cheese, so I think this one would suit anyone who likes a slightly heavier dessert. Then I cut into the original Basque cheesecake too. Alternating it with the chocolate version made the difference even clearer. Without the chocolate flavor, the original let me enjoy the cheese’s nutty, soft flavor more easily.

I took a big bite. The center was not dry; it was soft while still having a certain density, which I liked. Their appeal was different enough that it would be hard to pick just one: choose the chocolate Basque if you enjoy rich desserts, or the original Basque if you prefer a classic cheese flavor.

Pets and the self-service zone

Forerest is listed as a pet-friendly café, and when I visited, I even got to meet a cute dog. I think that would be a welcome detail for anyone looking for a café to visit with their dog.

There was also a self-service zone on one side of the café. A water dispenser and paper cups were available, so you can help yourself whenever you need water. You often want water while eating dessert, and it was convenient not having to ask separately.

The drinks and desserts at Forerest were good, but for me, the space itself was what stayed with me most. There were room-like seating areas, a high-ceilinged space, a forest right outside the window, and outdoor seating for nice weather, so the atmosphere changed quite a bit depending on where you sat within the same café. With parking and pets welcome too, I think it is worth a visit if you are looking for a date café in Uijeongbu, a café in Nogyang-dong, or a driving destination near Seoul!