Yeonnam-dong date café with mirror photo spot, rose cake: Jitheunsan

Today I want to introduce a gem of a space in Yeonnam-dong that I visited recently. There are so many pretty cafés as you wander the Yeonnam-dong alleys, but the one that won me over right away is Jitheunsan (짙은산), a well-known dessert café in the neighborhood. Atmosphere, taste, nothing is lacking, so I really wanted to record it on my blog.

Where is Jitheunsan and what are its hours?

Jitheunsan is at 27 Seongmisan-ro 29an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor. It's open daily from 08:30 to 23:00, and last order is at 22:30.

What is the atmosphere like at Jitheunsan in Yeonnam-dong?

A cozy space with warm vibes

Jitheunsan is a cozy Yeonnam-dong café that blends warm lighting, wood-tone furniture, green plants and huge picture windows. The warm, snug lighting struck me the moment I walked in. The wood-tone furniture and leafy plants go together so well that I felt myself relax. The night street of Yeonnam-dong beyond the big windows looks like a framed picture, and I caught myself staring outside in a daze.

The red embroidered mirror photo spot

The mirror with red embroidered decoration on the wall seems to be the café's photo spot! The mood is perfect for a mirror selfie, so I found myself picking up my camera without thinking. The owner's tasteful props are placed here and there, so just looking around was fun too. It looks great for coming alone to read quietly or work on a laptop, and for a cozy chat with a friend, there's no better place.

What did I order at Jitheunsan?

That day at Jitheunsan I ordered the Earl Grey milk tea, the cream latte, and the grand star of the show, the chocolate cake! It was a dessert time that delighted both eyes and mouth.

Doesn't it already look like a top-notch spot just from the looks? It came out neatly arranged on a tidy wood tray, and I think I took dozens of photos before even taking a bite.

Cream latte: smooth cream with rich hazelnut aroma

Jitheunsan's cream latte is a not-too-sweet latte where hazelnut aroma fills your mouth. The hazelnut scent that spreads with the first sip was just art. The soft, thick cream blends naturally with the coffee, and it has deep flavor without being too sweet, so I wanted to savor it down to the last drop. If you like that nutty hazelnut fragrance, you'll definitely be satisfied.

Earl Grey milk tea: strong aroma, served in a bottle

Jitheunsan's Earl Grey milk tea comes in a pretty bottle that you pour into a cup of ice yourself. It was the item I was looking forward to most, and pouring it into the cup was fun, and the Earl Grey flavor was really rich and deep. Some places make it too watery, which is disappointing, but the milk tea here leaves a fragrant aftertaste in your mouth for a long time. It was pure healing. Poured over cold ice, it was refreshing yet full-bodied.

Free lemon sorbet

The owner gave us a lemon sorbet as a free treat, and it was so fresh and cool!! I was very happy with it.

How dense is the chocolate cake at Jitheunsan?

Jitheunsan's chocolate cake is the ultimate in dense and fudgy, so dense you feel the heaviness from the moment your fork goes in. It's the star of this place, so everyone, if you come here, you have to eat this cake! It's truly the essence of "kkudeok" (dense, fudgy richness).

When it goes in your mouth, the deep chocolate flavor spreads out, and it isn't just overly sweet but has a refined sweetness, so I never got tired of it and kept eating. Isn't the rose decoration gently placed on top lovely too? Take a bite, then a sip of the cream latte, and that's heaven right there. When you need a sugar boost, I think this one chocolate cake would blow all your stress away.

Verdict: why I recommend Jitheunsan in Yeonnam-dong

If you're looking in Yeonnam-dong for a place that's quiet, atmospheric and above all has really good desserts, I'd recommend Jitheunsan without hesitation. The owner is kind, and thanks to the warmth of the space I had a happy time the whole while. I plan to come back soon to conquer the other cakes too!