Seongsu café after training with a coworker: fig soufflé, 5to7

I had a training session in Seongsu not long ago. The schedule wrapped up earlier than expected, so a coworker who'd gone through it with me and I grabbed a good lunch and then went off for dessert time.

While looking around for somewhere to go, I found 5to7 Seongsu Main Branch, which has quite a reputation in Seongsu for soufflé pancakes. It's a place where you can enjoy soufflé pancakes alongside a wide range of coffee drinks, and it stuck in my memory for being spacious, comfortable, and pretty.

Hope this is helpful for anyone planning a visit before heading over.

Where is 5to7 Seongsu Main Branch, and what are its hours?

5to7 Seongsu Main Branch sits deep in a quiet alley off Seoul Forest 2-gil, between Ttukseom Station and Seoul Forest Station.

• Location: 1F, 44-13 Seoul Forest 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (668-136 Seongsu-dong 1-ga)
• Hours: Daily 12:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Parking: No dedicated lot (nearby Seoul Forest public parking or Seongdong Community Sports Center parking recommended)

5to7 Seongsu Main Branch soufflé and coffee menu with prices

Soufflé menu (made to order, so it takes a bit of time)

• Fig soufflé ₩22,000 — the autumn season's best! Fluffy, not-too-sweet handmade cream with fresh figs and fig syrup in a wonderful combination
• Crème brûlée soufflé ₩21,000 — a sweet flavor with a crisp caramel coating and chewy tapioca pearls added
• Matcha chocolate soufflé ₩21,000 — bitter, rich matcha cream balanced with sweet chocolate
• Tiramisu soufflé ₩20,000 — heavy, smooth mascarpone cream with espresso powder

Main coffee drink menu

• 5 to 7 Superner ₩8,000 — the signature drink! A nutty, chewy handmade cream latte with a subtle Earl Grey aroma
• Dutch Americano (Ice) ₩6,000 — a cold brew with no acidity, savory and clean, pairs best with the sweet soufflé
• Café latte ₩6,500 — a balance of smooth milk foam and nutty espresso
• Cream cheese matcha latte ₩8,000 — salty-sweet, smooth cream cheese foam with rich matcha
• Cream cheese strawberry latte — a strawberry latte topped with sweet-salty cream cheese foam

The 2nd-floor window seats at 5to7 feel like a cabin in the woods

After ordering at the bar at the back of the 1st floor, I went up to the 2nd floor via the outdoor stairs, and the wood-toned interior mixed with vintage furniture gave off the comfortable feeling of visiting a cabin deep in the forest. In particular, the greenery visible through the 2nd-floor floor-to-ceiling windows was refreshing just to look at — pure healing. There's outdoor seating and a rooftop too, so sit wherever you like!!

Since the soufflé batter is mixed and baked fresh only after you order, it takes about 20 minutes of dedicated waiting. My coworker and I chatted away, and finally the gorgeous-looking dessert appeared!

What does the 22,000-won fig soufflé at 5to7 taste like?

The fig soufflé (₩22,000) is a thick two-layer soufflé pancake topped with a generous mound of pure white, soft handmade cream, surrounded by an abundance of fresh, in-season figs. The moment a fork touched it, it cut through soft and smooth, and it melted the second it hit my mouth!! The cream wasn't overly sweet — light like a mousse — so it worked in harmony with the naturally sweet juiciness of the ripe figs and the fig syrup. I really enjoyed it. Since it wasn't too sweet, it also paired well with the Superner.

The signature 5to7 Superner, 8,000 won

The 5to7 Superner (₩8,000) is the signature drink, so I was curious and ordered one — and my eyes lit up after the very first sip! The chewy cream carried a subtle, luxurious Earl Grey aroma, nutty and smooth going down, and it matched my taste perfectly. Drinking it alongside the soufflé, the two flavors didn't clash at all — it was really lovely.

The interior atmosphere was warm and pleasant too, good for a proper rest. Anyone coming to Seoul Forest for healing will fall in love with this place.

The lingering sweetness of the soufflé, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the comfort of getting through a whole book — it all added up to a gift of a day, one that made me think "ah, I wish days like this came around a little more often in my everyday life." If you want to taste a truly well-made, fluffy soufflé pancake in Seongsu, be sure to stop by 5to7 Seongsu Main Branch before the fall figs are gone.