Gwangjang Market takeout lunch break: half-and-half tasting, Ssuk's

Gwangjang Market dessert recommendation and gift idea: Ssuk's Choco Pie Seoul

The mugwort choco pie that took over my algorithm

There's been one dessert popping up in my feed nonstop lately — Ssuk's Choco Pie...🌿 Once it started trending it kept showing up in Reels too, everywhere I looked, so I started wondering, 'how good could it possibly be?' haha. Turns out it's actually a Gwangjang Market dessert spot not far from my office!

Since it's within lunch-break distance and I can't resist my own curiosity, I hurried over to Gwangjang Market. Bottom line up front: the mugwort scent isn't overwhelming, and eaten chilled it pairs really well with the fresh cream! The packaging is pretty too, so if you're looking for a Gwangjang Market gift, this one's worth a look 💚

• Location & directions to this Gwangjang Market dessert spot
• Ssuk's Choco Pie menu & prices
• Why it works as a Gwangjang Market gift
• Taste review of the handmade mugwort choco pie

Getting there

Gwangjang Market is soooo famous, right? Hadn't been in a while, and it was still packed. I guess it's a must-stop on any Seoul trip haha

Hours and discount events

Hours are weekdays 11:00–18:30, weekends 10:00–19:00. ‼️₩1,000 off on rainy days ‼️1 free item with purchases over ₩30,000 Event details may change, so double-check at the store when you visit :)

What's the shop like inside?

The green color at the market entrance makes it easy to spot! It's a takeout-only shop, and apparently the flagship location is in Gwangju.

Mugwort usually gives off a pretty traditional vibe, but this place has a super clean, sleek look, from the packaging to the interior haha

The packaging is pretty too haha. When you're gifting something, taste matters but so does that first impression when someone opens it, right? On that front it seems like a great fit for anyone looking for a gift-worthy dessert at Gwangjang Market haha

Menu and prices

Looking at the display case, there were way more varieties than I expected! I thought it would just be mugwort choco pie, but there were several kinds of handmade choco pie, plus other desserts to pick from like scones, cookies, cheesecake, and milk tea!

It's a nice spot to grab a treat while wandering Gwangjang Market, but with the clean packaging it also seems great as a Seoul trip gift for a foreign friend, or a Gwangjang Market dessert gift for parents or acquaintances!!

I walked in telling myself, 'I'll just buy one to try.' But then this looked good and that looked good too, and by the time I added it all up it was basically the price of one more choco pie anyway... so I ended up getting the 6-piece set ❤️ The 6-piece set is ₩24,800, down from ₩28,800 at individual pricing!!

Review event

They're also running a review event where you get a mugwort cookie sampler for leaving a receipt review, and I heard even buying just one item qualifies you to participate — if you're planning to buy, don't miss this one!

What I ordered

Handmade choco pie 6-piece set, ₩24,800

Finally got to meet the thing that had been occupying my algorithm for days haha 🤤🤤

Tasting the chilled handmade mugwort choco pie

I tried it chilled and... wow, why is handmade choco pie this good, it's been a while since I've had one! The outside has that sweet chocolate feel, but the inside is moist and soft, melting in your mouth!

And surprisingly it's not too sweet, so I cleared a whole one myself no problem haha. The handmade choco pies are pretty big, so I figured a super sweet one might get sickly by the halfway mark, but the fresh cream is soft and the mugwort scent cuts in every so often, so it never felt heavy! Since I wanted to try several flavors, I cut them all in half and ate a different flavor each time I grabbed one haha, and honestly that was such a good way to do it...❤️

Why I'd recommend it as a Gwangjang Market gift

I only went because it kept showing up on my feed and I got curious, but unlike a regular choco pie, using mugwort makes it distinctive, and the scent isn't too strong, so it's an easy snack for any age! ❤️ Since Gwangjang Market draws a lot of foreign tourists too, a dessert built around a very Korean ingredient like mugwort seems like it'd make a slightly special gift for a foreign friend :)

If you're wandering Gwangjang Market and craving something other than bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) or yukhoe (beef tartare) for dessert, or if you're looking for a Gwangjang Market dessert spot or gift recommendation, Ssuk's Choco Pie Seoul is worth a stop 💚 Especially if you like mugwort — this one's worth trying...🌿❤️