NUDAKE Sinsa Review: New TikTok-Viral Cafe In Gangnam, Seoul Has Onigiri-Shaped Pastries & Giant Croissant Sculptures
Giant croissant sculptures, curious little "onigiri" pastries, and statues of bulbous women. All these kooky things have got NUDAKE Sinsa (누데이크 신사), a new cafe in Seoul, South Korea, trending on TikTok.
For the uninitiated, NUDAKE is an artisanal desert brand under the Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster. Their first two outlets - Dosan and Seongsu - opened to much fanfare, but it's the aforementioned 2-storey cafe along the popular Gangnam shopping street that has gone mega viral.
Photo from NUDAKE
Being a self-professed pastry connoisseur, I bit the bullet and joined the inevitable queue at NUDAKE Sinsa to try their unique-looking pastries. It was a weekday morning at 11:15am, just a few minutes after opening time, and a sizeable line had already formed outside.
After spending about 30 minutes gazing longingly at the pastries through the windows, it was finally my turn! I was led to my assigned seat upstairs and then headed back to the first floor to place my food and drink order.
Photo from NUDAKE
Ambience at NUDAKE Sinsa
The aesthetic of the space was on point, and exactly the kind of experimental creativity you'd expect from a sister company of the uber cool Gentle Monster. The museum-like room was kept bare and minimalist, like a canvas for the giant pastry sculptures and the actual edible pastries.
Photo from NUDAKE
Feeling like Alice in Pastry-land, I placed my selections on a tray and waited in yet another queue for payment. My buzzer went off after a few minutes and I collected my pastries and climbed back upstairs.
The 2nd floor is a whole other kind of whimsy, with two massive statues creating a similar museum-like ambience. Completing the dreamy scene were plush sofas, cosy lighting and a soothing palette of pinks and beiges.
Photo from NUDAKE
Photo from NUDAKE
Photo from NUDAKE
If you're lucky, you may get one of the coveted seats near the statue women - it's the best spot for photos!
Photo from NUDAKE
NUDAKE Onigiri-Shaped Pastries
Finally, I settled down in my seat and it was time to dig into the little Oniwassants (KRW5,500 each, ~SGD5.50).
I was feeling pretty skeptical while dissecting the onigiri-shaped Kimchi Oniwassant, but it sliced apart with a promising crunch and had nicely defined layers. Lo and behold, the outsides were crispy and evenly caramelised, and the inner layers were rich, buttery and wonderfully flakey. Inside was an addictive kimchi and bacon filling that packed a fiery punch but lacked tang.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
I also tried the square Basil Lemon Oniwassant and the round Green Onion Oniwassant. Both fillings were fairly standard and didn't make much of an impression.
All three Oniwassants had a consistent texture despite having different shapes, and the cream-to-pastry ratio was just right. They're also reasonably priced for their size. If you enjoy Tiong Bahru Bakery's kouign amann, these Oniwassants will be right up your alley too. They come in three other flavours: Pollock Roe, Matcha and Walnut Vanilla.
Have room for more carbs? Take your pick from their other fun takes on traditional pastries like the Baby Hand Pie (KRW6,000, ~SGD6) and Croisticks (KRW5,000, ~SGD5). You'll also find classics from NUDAKE's other outlets including Peak Small (KRW25,000, ~SGD25), a visually arresting flower-like cake with a matcha cream centre surrounded by black pastry "petals".
Photo from NUDAKE
NUDAKE Sinsa Coffees
I washed down all that decadence with an iced Long Black (KRW5,500, ~SGD5.50) in Nutty, which had a robust and smooth flavour with hints of earthiness. If you like the sound of coffee with notes of peach, plum and florals, go for the Fruity option instead.
Other drinks on the menu include the Nu Latte (KRW8,500, ~SGD8.50), Micro Shake (KRW9,500, ~SGD9.50) and Croi Choco Latte (KRW9,500, ~SGD9.50).
Is NUDAKE Sinsa Worth The Hype?
While the whole NUDAKE Sinsa experience was enjoyable, I would give it a miss if the queue was too long. It's fairly easy to find pastries of similar quality at other cafes and bakeries, and if you're in it for the ambience, Seoul has no shortage of aesthetic cafes in every concept you could imagine.
And while the branding is undeniably upscale, the actual dining experience did not feel so glamorous. It started with a queue, which was uncomfortable in the summer heat (and will be in the winter months too). Then there's the fast food-style system of standing in line to order your own food, collecting it yourself and climbing the stairs while carrying a tray of food and drinks. Even McDonald's offers table service! The experience just doesn't match up to the premium price point.
Alternatively, you could get the pastries to go. It'll cut short your waiting time and you'll get a cute paper bag.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
P.S.: Look out for the photo op outside the cafe - a mini installation depicting a croissant taped to the wall.
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