Songdo dessert café with matcha macadamia cookies: Standard Square

Right after a really good meal I wondered, "Is there a pretty café around here?" So I headed to Standard Square (스탠다드스퀘어) in Songdo, which already has a big reputation for coffee and cookies. Let me tell you all about the life-changing cookie I had in a modern space!

Where is Standard Square and how do you park?

Standard Square is at 50 Keonbensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, and it is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For parking, use the underground car park of Worldmark Prugio Complex 1. This dessert café is a hot date spot in Songdo, Yeonsu right now.

• Address: 50 Keonbensia-daero, Building 101, Units 101-102, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
• Hours: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Parking: Worldmark Prugio Complex 1 underground car park

If you're coming by car, no worries. You can use the underground car park for the shops, so I parked and walked up with zero parking stress. Just tell the staff your license plate number when you pay and they'll register your parking, so remember that!

What is the interior of Standard Square like?

The interior is mid-century modern, mixing white, blue and silver tones. The moment you step in, a stylish space opens up that makes you go "wow", clean with no clutter and a really hip feel.

You can tell they put real thought into every light and every chair, so it's a magical spot where even random shots come out looking great.

The mood is comfortable and not too busy, so it's great for a cozy chat with a friend and perfect for a date too. A really nice Songdo café vibe.

They have all kinds of cookies lined up and my mouth is watering.

There's quietly a lot to look at in every corner, so it was fun to browse while waiting for the coffee.

What are the signature items at Standard Square?

The biggest draw of Standard Square is that you can enjoy premium handmade cookies baked in the shop every day together with high-quality specialty coffee.

The popular items are definitely the chunky cookies (dwaeji cookies, "fat pig" cookies) with their overwhelming looks, and the signature cream latte varieties! The cookies are packed with ingredients without skimping and are a textbook crisp-outside, soft-inside bake. Popular cookies sometimes sell out if you go late, so I recommend getting there a bit early to secure your dessert.

I looked around for Wi-Fi, and they've put the info up in a clever way.

How were the americano, chamomile tea and handmade cookies?

I ordered an iced americano, an iced chamomile tea, a matcha macadamia cookie and a salted peanut butter cookie. We had already eaten a hearty meal, so we decided to sink into the charms of Songdo desserts with clean-tasting drinks.

Iced americano and iced chamomile tea

Iced americano: the rich, nutty flavor of the beans was a work of art. The acidity isn't too strong and it finishes clean, so it couldn't pair better with a sweet cookie.

Iced chamomile tea: I loved the subtle herbal aroma that leaves your mouth feeling fresh and cool. It's refreshing without any dryness, perfect for light sipping.

Matcha macadamia cookie

A bittersweet, deep matcha aroma fills your mouth, and the big chunks of nutty macadamia really bring out the texture. It isn't too sweet and tastes upscale, totally my taste!

Salted peanut butter cookie

This is the textbook sweet-and-salty taste. The thick, rich peanut butter gets a kick from the salt, so you never get tired of it and keep reaching for more. Both cookies are packed full inside, and I was happy the whole time I ate.

Who is Standard Square recommended for?

Standard Square is just right on a weekend or a weekday afternoon, when you want to recharge with small but sure happiness.

• Dessert lovers who want a properly made, crisp-outside, soft-inside chunky cookie
• People who love taking photos in a modern, hip, Instagram-worthy space
• Couples looking for a nice Songdo date spot near Central Park

You know that feeling when a bite of sweet cookie and a sip of bitter coffee make all your stress melt away? This weekend, spend a sweet, mood-filled time at Standard Square with someone special!