Seongsu dessert boutique, 3 years on: pre-ordered cakes at Notldun

Is Notldun still good after all this time?

I revisited the Seongsu dessert boutique Notldun (NOTRE DON) after almost 3 years 🤍 I first went not long after it opened, and that was already 3 years ago?! Wow...

• 📍 11 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• ⏰ Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 11:00–22:30
• 🚇 Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from Ttukseom Station Exit 8, or walk from Seoul Forest Station Exit 5
• 🎂 Info: takeout and reservations available; dine-in may be limited to 1 hour 30 minutes when it's crowded

I visited around two years ago, in the fall, right after Notldun opened. I loved the atmosphere, and the desserts were so impressive that the place stuck in my memory. Now I've gone back, and the Seongsu dessert café Notldun (NOTRE DON) was still so good 🤍

Notldun's showcase at 7pm on a weekday: any desserts left?

When I got to Notldun around 7pm on a weekday, the showcase was almost empty. Notldun is on the 1.5th floor, so you just go up a half-flight of stairs. Shock and horror in 3 seconds, haha. I was so surprised the moment I walked in.

The showcase was literally empty… 😂 This at 7pm on a weekday?!? Apart from a few desserts, nearly everything was sold out, and for a moment I was flustered. It was good two years ago, but it seems far more famous now. Seeing that empty showcase, I really felt how popular Notldun is!

These are the desserts that were on the counter when I came 3 years ago. I went expecting these, sob. Especially the Nocturne, will it ever come back 🥹🥹

These were the only two cakes left in the shop this time, haha. The financiers and madeleines were sold out, too.

Notldun's Valrhona madeleine selection and drinks

Notldun's madeleines come out so pretty as gift packs! This Valrhona madeleine selection is made with the famous Valrhona chocolate!! In the order dark, milk, white. They also sell coffee and tea to go with them.

Notldun's seating and atmosphere

Notldun has tables for about 6 groups, and I still loved its signature clean atmosphere. It's mostly white and wood tones, calm with nothing superfluous. Exactly as I remembered it, haha. The name "dessert boutique" suits the space well.

Here are the desserts I ate last time... wait, I ordered the mille-feuille back then, too? 🤭🤭

Should you reserve a cake at Notldun?

If you want a specific cake at Notldun in the evening, it's safest to pre-order. Luckily I had reserved the desserts I wanted before visiting; if I hadn't, I might have gone home empty-handed in the evening 🥶🥶 If there's a dessert you definitely want, reserving ahead will give you peace of mind!!!

How does Notldun pack takeout? Ice pack and cooler bag

Notldun doesn't use a plain paper shopping bag for cakes; they put them in an ice pack and cooler bag. I carried it home and properly opened it there. Last time I ate in the shop, so I didn't know: the packaging is so pretty,,

With cakes, you always worry about temperature while traveling, but a neat cooler-bag pack makes the trip home much less stressful! The package is ivory with the Notldun logo, so it looks luxurious and is great for gifts. What I ordered was the Vanilla Caramel Mille-feuille and Notldun's Signature Noix cake!

What does Notldun's Vanilla Caramel Mille-feuille taste like?

Vanilla Caramel Mille-feuille — soft cream and rich vanilla ganache between layers of crisp pastry. Sweet and salty salted caramel pairs with the deep vanilla flavor.

Notldun's Vanilla Caramel Mille-feuille looks luminous from the start,,, I really love mille-feuille, so I'm pretty strict about taste (the woman who went to Paris and ate 5 mille-feuilles and nothing else), and first, it passes on looks right away, haha. The long shape with chocolate decoration and cream is so pretty,,,

Mille-feuille is built in layers, so the texture is fun, and while most are plain vanilla, I liked how this one combines chocolate and cream. It looks pretty rich, but with several elements together, the flavor feels well balanced!

What is Notldun's Signature Noix cake like?

Notldun Signature Noix — smooth milk chocolate mousse with nutty almond praline and subtle whisky cream. Salty, crunchy croustillant adds a light texture to the rich chocolate flavor.

Notldun's Signature Noix was a cake whose looks I personally really loved. It's made in the shape of the Notldun logo, so the moment you see it, it feels like a dessert you can only eat here. Last time I had the white version, Signature Blanc, but this time I wanted the Noix!!

Even the velvety chocolate-powder surface was so pretty that I took photos for ages before eating. It's good for anniversaries or special days, and worth a look if you want a slightly special dessert in Seongsu.

My verdict on revisiting Notldun

What I liked about Notldun is that it has its own distinct mood, not just in the desserts but in the packaging and the space. The cooler-bag packing is so thoughtful that it's good for buying to eat yourself, and classy for gifting someone, too.

I went back because of good memories from my first visit during its early opening days two years ago, and even after all this time I was still satisfied. Seeing the empty showcase at 7pm made me think, "wow, it has really become famous," which was kind of amazing. And I felt proud, like I'd bought the stock at its low, haha. The first visit was good and this revisit was satisfying 🤍 Next time I want to go a bit earlier and see the showcase full of desserts again.

Notldun's signature dessert prices

• Signature Blanc ₩14,000
• Signature Noix ₩14,000
• Salty Caramel Mille-feuille ₩13,000
• Madeleine, financier ₩4,500

📌 TIP

At 7pm, when I visited, Notldun's counter was almost empty, so if you're after a popular item, I recommend reserving before you go! You can pre-order on Notldun's reservation page.