Hongdae dessert café in Seoul for lemon Malenka cake: MELA Hongdae

Today I visited MELA Hongdae. I was looking for a pretty brunch café and ended up here — the menu was solid and every dessert was delicious.

Where is MELA Hongdae, and how close is Hongik Univ. Station?

MELA Hongdae is close to Exit 1 of Hongik University Station, so it was easy to get to. If you spot the cute yellow mascot, you've arrived haha.

Overall the space was clean and pretty. There were various promotional materials on display too, which was fun to look through.

MELA Hongdae menu and perks

The menu was broadly divided into main dishes, small dishes, desserts and more — quite varied. Everything looked delicious, so it was hard to choose.

I could see why it's a famous Hongdae brunch spot, known for pasta and steak too. There was a wide range of choices.

There was also a variety of bakery items, which felt reassuring.

There was a review-event perk of free fries and a morning set discount too. And the fresh mango bingsu that used to be on the menu had been changed to peach bingsu using seasonal fruit.

This is what we ended up ordering.

Now let's get into the actual taste review ~ ^_^

Lemon Malenka cake with an iced americano

First up, the lemon Malenka cake and iced americano! The chewy, layered texture unique to honey cake was excellent.

A clean coffee is essential when enjoying sweet, rich desserts. No burnt taste or sharp acidity from the beans — just a perfect nutty, bittersweet balance.

The lemon fragrance spread subtly, so it was sweet yet had a really refreshing finish!

It wasn't too heavy, so I kept reaching for more. The cream and mint on top were nice to eat alongside it too.

The sweetness and brightness wrapped around my mouth harmoniously, so I enjoyed it to the last bite without getting tired of it. Amid the sweet honey flavor, a subtle citrusy lemon note lingered, keeping the finish clean and refreshing rather than heavy.

How was the seasonal peach bingsu?

Next up was the peach bingsu, whose gorgeous visuals drew an immediate gasp. From the first spoonful, I got why people flock to MELA.

Plump, ripe peach flesh piled generously on top — the moment I bit in, the juice burst out. Natural sweetness and tartness spread across my whole mouth.

The bingsu base was snow-flake style too, so it was incredibly soft and cool, melting the instant it hit my mouth and blending smoothly with the peach fragrance.

It was the perfect refresher to shake off the summer heat or stress.

Pain au chocolat, chocolate cookie and other bakery items

Now let me introduce the bakery items that paired well with everything. The pain au chocolat in front of us — crispy on the outside, moist and chewy inside, the textbook definition of that texture.

Every layer was distinct, so each bite gave a crisp texture. And a rich buttery flavor filled my mouth with a nutty warmth.

Next, the chocolate cookie had a charm of being crisp outside with a slightly chewy inside! The dough was generously studded with rich chocolate chips, so every bite delivered a deep, hearty sweetness.

It was a delightful dessert, perfect for picking at lightly alongside coffee. It seemed like it had been given a light re-bake in the oven, because the temperature was just right.

The chocolate inside the pastry wasn't dry — it was soft and melted. Truly a fantastic flavor.

The dishware and tableware were cute too.

And that's how our meal wrapped up. With so many delicious desserts in front of us, we ended up ordering plenty. 😆 The quality of the ingredients and the finish of the flavors were both excellent, so it was a really satisfying time.

If you want to properly enjoy dessert and drinks in a pretty atmosphere in Hongdae, be sure to stop by MELA Hongdae.

Inside MELA Hongdae: atmosphere and seating

Stepping into MELA Hongdae, the not-too-much yet polished interior immediately catches your eye. Warm-toned, cozy lighting gently wrapped the whole space. So the moment I stepped in, I felt instantly at ease.

Small, detailed props were placed here and there without being overdone, so photos came out pretty from any angle in the store.

It's also perfect as a photo zone for capturing pretty, Instagram-worthy shots ~

The layout was very efficiently arranged, giving the interior an open, airy feel. The wide walkways meant I could move around comfortably without worrying about bumping into other guests.

From the tabletops to the chairs, the floor, and the self-serve bar, everything was clearly well-maintained at a glance. It really felt trustworthy.

The air itself felt fresh too, so even sitting for a long time wasn't stuffy at all — it was comfortable.

It's a perfect environment for a date too, letting you focus fully on time together. There were both solo seats and group tables, so various seating types were available.

I hope you'll get a chance to visit too.