Food
Christmas comes but once a year
Craving something sweet is a natural part of being human, yet we often suppress this desire in the name of health or a hectic schedule. But now is the time to savor life's sweetness without guilt.
After the challenges and hard work of 2024, you deserve a moment to indulge. Treat yourself － you've earned it. Busan is Good introduces three great dessert spots to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Fig Cake from Bono Berry
Instagram-worthy tarts at Bono Berry
Apicious, the 1st Century Roman gourmand, is credited with saying, "We eat with our eyes first." This ethos helps explain the success of Bono Berry, a dessert shop with branches in Geumjeong-gu, Haeundae-gu and Dong-gu districts.
Bono Berry's tarts and cakes are masterpieces, topped with seasonal fruits like mangoes, berries and figs. Each piece of fruit is meticulously sliced, layered and arranged and accompanied by perfectly piped rosettes of cream. The result is desserts that are so visually appealing they seem destined for Instagram fame.
Thankfully, Bono Berry's desserts taste as good as they look. The balance between the buttery crust, velvety custard and juicy fruit proves that the real artistry is experienced with each bite.
◎Pusan University Main Branch: 67-1 Jangjeononcheoncheon-ro, Geumjeong-gu
◎Haeundae Branch: 1st Floor, 25-2 Jungdong 1-ro, Haeundae-gu
◎Connect Hyundai Branch: 2nd Basement, Connect Hyundai, 125 Beomil-ro, Dong-gu
◎Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
◎Prices: Seasonal fruit tarts and cakes cost ￦6,000 to ￦9,000 per slice.
Godiva's Chocolate Cream Cornets
Everything chocolate at Godiva Bakery
Connect Hyundai, a new department store in Dong-gu District, houses Godiva Bakery from the Belgian chocolatier. Located on the first floor, the shop is one of four Godiva bakeries in the country.
People willing to wait upwards of an hour or more are rewarded with Godiva's signature cornets, croissants and other delectable baked goods. While chocolate pastries are the stars of the show, especially the various chocolate-cream-filled cornets, visitors can also find savory options like scallion cream cheese or ham and butter. People can also indulge in Godiva's signature chocolate-dipped fruit, ice cream and Chocolixir drinks.
While waiting times are long even on weekdays, the bakery's reservation system is similar to restaurants. Register your phone number and enjoy the different shops at Connect Hyundai as you wait for the notification that tells you it's your turn to enter chocolate heaven.
◎Address: 1st Floor, Connect Hyundai, 125 Beomil-ro, Dong-gu
◎Hours: Open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
◎B.i.G Recommends: Chocolate Cream Cornet ￦4,900. Double Chocolate Soft Ice Cream and Raspberry Macaron ￦9,000.
Blueberry Lamington at State
Feel the Christmas spirit at State
With the holiday season upon us, Christmas decorations adorn every corner of the city. No neighborhood gets in the Christmas spirit quite like Jeonpo Cafe Street, where the various independently-owned shops are decked with garlands, holly and tinsel. And no shop gets in the Christmas spirit quite like State, which beckons customers with its multitude of Christmas trees.
State, a bakery and cafe, is Seussical with its Christmas decor: Big trees, little trees, red lights, blue lights, yellow lights, green lights. With so much going on, it's easy to forget that the real gift is their selection of cakes.
When it comes to State's cakes, the more the merrier, and there are quite a lot: cheesecakes, layer cakes, round cakes, square cakes. The Dubai Chocolate Cake, a celebration of the chocolate and pistachio flavors that went viral earlier this year, is often sold out, so get there early if you want to try a slice. Other popular cakes include the rich and fragrant Earl Grey Cheesecake, the Crispy Crunch, a cake inspired by the classic Dwaeji Bar ice cream, and the Matcha Gateau.
◎Address: 28 Dongseong-ro 71beon-gil, Busanjin-gu
◎Hours: Open daily from 12 to 10 p.m.
◎Price: Cakes start at ￦7,500 per slice.
Desserts at Cheek to Cheek
Dancing at Cheek to Cheek
Cheek to Cheek is a patisserie and flower studio located in the Oncheoncheon Cafe Street area. Owned and operated by siblings trained in the U.K. - the brother as a pastry chef and the sister as a florist - the shop brings a touch of European elegance to Busan's cafe scene. It features a cozy atmosphere in an award-winning space. The rotating dessert menu includes highlights like the Hazelnut New Opera and the Raspberry Pistachio Tart.
◎Address: 17 Oncheoncheon-ro 441beon-gil, Dongnae-gu
◎Hours: Open 12 to 7 p.m. Closed on Mondays
◎Price: Individual cakes start at ￦6,000.