Archive: Quick Bites – Vol. V (2025 Edition I)

25–37 minutes

Welcome to the LLAMASODA Archive! This volume contains posts from the Quick Bites series on Instagram that were published this year (2025), dating from February 3rd, 2025, to September 1st, 2025. Please note that the listed locations may no longer offer the items on their menus (and, in the worst case, may have been relocated or permanently closed).

The dates provided will now reflect the actual date of visit, rather than the published date for the Quick Bites post, from now onwards. The published date (if the post was published) will be provided at the end, next to the Instagram links to the post.

노걸대 (No Girl?), Pyeongtaek, South Korea (February 3rd 2025)

노걸대 (No Girl is what the translation apps say, but I’m not too sure…) is a 24-hour restaurant (yes, you heard that right!) that is renowned for its Pork Neck Bone Stew, which I had the pleasure of eating! (I specifically had the stew with ripe kimchi)

As always, I went for the spiciest option, and along with the kimchi, the broth had a lovely mild yet spicy and tangy flavor that went very well with the delicious pork neck, which fell off the bone with minimal effort and just melted in your mouth!

Our other order, the Samgyum (Pork Belly), which, keep in mind, needs to be ordered by two or more people, was the same as the pork neck, amazingly delicious and so soft!

Instagram post link (published February 17th 2025)

livfarm, Incheon Airport, South Korea (February 4th 2025)

I headed to livfarm in Incheon International Airport (ICN) for a quick little nibble and a sip, and I got myself the Morning Potato-Filled Bun, a WIAG in Pink Moscato (it was 9am in the morning, but I DO NOT CARE!), and a Grapefruit Collagen Fizz!

The Morning Potato-Filled Bun had a mild yet flavorful potato salad filling with a lovely, lingering aftertaste, and was packed in a very delicious, somewhat sweet bun!

The Wine In A Glass (WIAG) in Pink Moscato was sweet and acidic, and went pretty well with the Morning Potato-Filled Bun! It certainly did help me get knocked out pretty quickly during my flight, which was perfect considering how cramped my economy seat was!

The Grapefruit Collagen Fizz delivered everything that is advertised: a very grapefruit-y puree (I appreciate that it wasn’t overly sweetened and that the rather unique bittersweet taste of the grapefruit was allowed to shine) and a dosage of collagen, all in fizzy sparkling water!

Instagram post link (published February 22nd 2025)

POINT> + Ginger Farm Kitchen, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand (February 4th 2025)

During my layover at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), I first had the smooth, refreshing Thai Iced Tea from POINT>, which combined the sweetness of milk with the slightly bitter tea into something dangerously addictive!

I then headed to Ginger Farm Kitchen and got myself the Tom Yung Goong, which was a kaleidoscope of sour, savory, spicy, and at times even sweet flavors! Like most Thai cuisine, of course, the aroma was beautiful in this dish, thanks to the lemongrass and other lovely aromatics!

I had also ordered two beverages from Ginger Farm Kitchen: the Mango Sticky Rice Smoothie and the Thai Sabai cocktail to honor my tradition of enjoying an alcoholic drink before a flight.

The former was cold, thick, and with the right amount of sweetness, and I also enjoyed the mango’s natural flavors in the drink. It was quite an addictive drink, and the coconut garnish on top added a delightful element of nuttiness!

The latter, on the other hand, was very refreshing, not only as a great palate cleanser and a nicely chilled drink, but also for its rather unique basil-y and citrus-y flavor. You definitely need to try this one!

Instagram post link (published February 24th 2025)

Janakpur Dahi Lassi Bhandar, Kathmandu, Nepal (February 6th 2025)

I always make it a point to hit up the iconic Janakpur Dahi Lassi Bhandar whenever I’m in Kathmandu and get myself a big glass of their deliciously smooth and creamy Dahi Lassi! It’s pleasantly sweet, and the yogurt is of such good quality, and on top of that (literally in this case), the toppings of chopped nuts and raisins bring a wonderful texture and nuttiness to the drink, which is very much welcome.

My only gripe is I wish it were slightly more chilled every time I get a glass, but oh well, I’ll survive!

Instagram post link (published February 25th 2025)

Mahakal Tower Pani Puri, Kathmandu, Nepal (February 6th 2025)

Mahakal Tower Pani Puri is a family favorite of ours that’s not quite the hidden gem as it is pretty popular around the area for people looking to get their Pani Puri fix, which is not a surprise considering how deliciously spicy and sour they make the potato fillings for the iconic Indian street food item, and also for the rather generous portions (I was sort of full towards the end) that they serve.

Another thing that sets Mahakal Tower Pani Puri apart from other Pani Puri makers is their Tower Pani Puri that you get at the end of your Pani Puri journey (swipe to the end to see!), which, as the name implies, is a pretty mighty tower made of potato filling and nuts for you to conquer. Think you can take up the challenge?!

Instagram post link (published February 28th 2025)

Stetch, Seoul, South Korea (August 2nd 2025)

Stetch, located in trendy Seongsu, is a café AND a tailor shop; how cool is that?! They also have a great aesthetic that actually incorporates stitching, which is again, cool!

On my visit, I had their milky Strawberry Tea Time drink, which had a sweet floral note enhanced by the strawberry puree. Flavor-wise, it paired well with the Matcha Cookie (not sure if it’s the exact name), which had a nutty taste along with the slight bitterness of matcha. The cookie, which texturally was very reminiscent of a brookie, was given a boost of sweetness by the strawberries and the marshmallow. Definitely a must-visit in my book!

Instagram post link (published August 3rd 2025)

Villa Embassy, Seoul, South Korea (August 3rd 2025)

A couple of minutes away from the needlessly gargantuan Seoul Station, Villa Embassy was the perfect place to start my day and to work on the LLAMASODA blog, which I have been neglecting even more so as of late…

While one hand was typing away, the other held a glass of Iced Green Tea Latte, with the green tea organic and hailing from Jeju Island. The green tea was pretty subtle, whereas the taste of milk was more pronounced, and there was a slightly bitter and floral-like finish at the end of every sip.

I also had their signature Original Tiramisu, which was such a delight; all the elements, from the ladyfingers drenched in coffee to the subtle and creamy mascarpone, all came together so pleasantly!

Instagram post link (published August 4th 2025)

Cafe DADALAB, Seoul, South Korea (August 3rd 2025)

Part coffee shop and part bar, Cafe DADALAB is a unique gem that manages to stand out from the rest, not only due to having such a calming and cozy atmosphere like a sanctuary, but also because of their interesting specialty: to transform your word(s) into a beverage (plural for my alcoholics)!

I found out about this wonderful place from ARTMS/LOONA’s Heejin‘s Power Blog Girl series, so thank you, Ms. sAvioR, for your service!

I went for the cocktail option cause Why Not? to day drinking, and my drink, which I will discuss in detail another time, was just amazing!

It’s definitely a must-visit, so if you’re in the Mangwon area, there’s absolutely no excuse to not go there!!!

Instagram post link (published August 20th 2025)

Love Replica, Seoul, South Korea (August 3rd 2025)

Love Replica was another cool joint that I stumbled upon while venturing out in Mangwon. It’s a temple for anime and Japanese music fans, especially J-rock and goth. Not only is it a cafe, but you can also buy vintage clothing, anime goods, and Japanese music CDs and vinyls (I copped aiko’s debut album, Chiisa na Marui Kōjitsu!). Everything you would ever want in one place!

I had the beautifully presented Iced Matcha Latte, which was smooth and milky (a moment of silence for my lactose-intolerant folks), and had a big scoop of Matcha ice cream as well. It was on the sweet side, but fortunately, it was not overwhelmingly so!

I also had a slice of their Cheesecake, which was soft and surprisingly quite cheesy… I know when the name already says “Cheesecake,” there’s nothing to be surprised about, but it really is cheesier compared to other cheesecakes I’ve had before, so you’ll need to try it for yourself to know what I’m talking about! It also had a chocolate face on it (which was quite chunky), and as the years go by, my weebness slowly fades away… So, if it’s a reference to something, please let me know!

Instagram post link (published August 23rd 2025)

Misil Cafe, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 7th 2025)

A spacious cafe with a beautiful aesthetic that combines both the modern and the traditional, Misil Cafe was an oasis from the hot Korean summer heat (all my life, I never had to buy a sports towel to wipe off my sweat until I came here…). I doused the flame on top of my head with their Matcha Milk, which was super refreshing (the milk tasted so fresh, as if they literally just milked a cow before making my order) and had a distinctly earthy, almost nutty taste.

I also nibbled on their Yellow Cheese Butter Bar, which, to my ABSOLUTE SURPRISE, was yellow and cheesy!! Lame jokes aside, it was very rich and was chewy, but unfortunately didn’t do much for me*. They’re apparently known more for their tiramisu, though, so I’ll definitely get them next time I visit!

*Don’t let my opinions deter you from trying it out; you might like it!

Instagram post link (published September 6th 2025)

JINSUSUNGCHAN, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 7th 2025)

Apologies… I forgot to take a still picture

Located smack-dab in the middle of the traditional village, JINSUSUNGCHAN serves – you guessed it – traditional Korean cuisine with recipes from the esteemed Choi family that resided near the village. I had their Choi Special: Boneless Soy-Marinated Crab Bibimbap, which, according to its menu description, is limited to 30 servings per day to ensure the freshness of their hand-picked crab meat. What makes the Crab Bibimbap a Choi Special Crab Bibimbap is their special sauce, which follows the recipe used by – ding ding! We have a winner! – the Choi family. The dish came with some bancheon as any self-respecting Korean dish would, and they were all decent and simple (the eggs were my favorite!). As for the crab meat, it literally tasted like the ocean, and even as someone not as into seafood, I could tell that those crustaceans were cracked open a few milliseconds ago because of how ridiculously fresh it was.

Unfortunately, their sacrifice ended up in vain as I was unable to finish the dish due to it being a little too overwhelming for me*: the taste and texture of cold, raw crab meat, the taste of raw egg yolk, the savory sauce, the assortment of vegetable of different textures was something I found out at that moment that I was unable to handle at once. But as always, don’t pass up the chance to try it just because I said all of this; whatever I mentioned might just be right up your alley!

*TO ME! TO MEEEE!! It’s a traditional specialty, so don’t pass it up! Try it!

Instagram post link (published September 7th 2025)

Masi Oden, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 7th 2025)

The importance of timing finally came to my understanding when I took a nap late in the evening, only to wake up hungry when almost all the restaurants in the area were closed. Any restaurant my poor, starved self went to slammed the doors in my face and pointed me towards their CLOSED signs (I’m being overdramatic if you couldn’t tell), but one, and ONLY ONE, welcomed me with open arms: Masi Oden!

I had the Nagasaki Jjampong Nabe, a hearty pot containing chewy noodles, bacon, and an assortment of seafood simmering in a light, savory broth. I will say, though, that the broth was a little too light and subtle for me to finish everything enthusiastically, and an assortment of sauces to dip the ingredients in would’ve been greatly appreciated (or maybe they did have it, and I didn’t see it).

I also had an order of Takoyaki, which had a generous sprinkle of smoky, savory fish flakes on top of the creamy sauce, adding so much flavor to the already flavorsome dish. Compared to most Takoyaki I’ve had so far, Masi Oden’s version veered towards spicier flavors and had a batter-y/doughy taste, which I enjoyed very much.

Of course, no visit to a Japanese pub is complete without alcohol, so I was obliged and forced (DEFINITELY NOT because I just wanted to) to down all that food with a glass of delightfully fizzy, lemony, and bitter-y Suntory Highball (that’s what it’s called, according to my sometimes friend, sometimes nemesis Papago)!

P.S. A massive shout-out to the one staff member who served me and used the (sometimes) amazing Papago to communicate- sorry for being such a burden :,(

Instagram post link (published September 19th 2025)

OVERLAP, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 7th 2025)

I headed to the chic, vibe-y OVERLAP during the very late hours of the night (they close at midnight!) to give myself a sweet little reward for all the walking I did earlier in the day while exploring Gyeongju, and got myself their Hong Baek Hyang drink and the Dojima Roll Cut cake!

The former reminded me of a fancy cocktail, and it was pleasantly sweet and tart, with rosemary adding an interesting dimension to the overall flavor.

The latter was a soft, moist roll cake with a smooth, light, and airy cream filling, with a lingering milky taste that made for a perfect dessert after such a heavy meal. I’ll even go as far as to say that the Dojima Roll Cut was one of the best roll cakes my mouth has ever had the pleasure of tasting!

Also, they have an extensive coffee menu, so coffee lovers should head there!

Instagram post link (published September 20th 2025)

Wellbean Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea (August 8th 2025)

Wellbean Ulsan is a sleek and spacious spot in town known for brunch and coffee, but being the contrarian that I am, I got none of what was mentioned earlier!

Instead, I had a refreshing pot of iced citrus tea (I can’t recall the exact name, forgive me), along with a Salt Bread & an Egg Tart!

The Salt Bread was a buttery delight, with a slightly crisp crust and pillowy-soft dough inside, while the Egg Tart was deliciously sweet, with an eggy custard and a lovely, buttery crust.

I had a very relaxing morning at Wellbean, and I’ll make sure to come back again to try their brunch menu!

Instagram post link (published October 7th 2025)

Three Power of Six, Ulsan, South Korea (August 8th 2025)

Three Power of Six is a gorgeous cafe, both on the outside and inside, with three spacious floors, each with its own distinct aesthetic and vibe. Despite literally sweating buckets earlier, I still sat out on the rooftop and relaxed with a glass of Iced Matcha Latte, which was pretty milky with the matcha taste being sweet and slightly earthy.

As someone destined to be eternally broke, I will never be someone who can say that they own a Gucci bag or a suit, which is okay, because I still can be someone who had a slice of some Gucci Tiramisu! It had a slightly frozen texture when bitten, so I think there was ice cream in the dessert, and it was on the sweeter side compared to most tiramisus I’ve had so far, so to me it was more reminiscent of a light coffee cake than tiramisu.

Anyway, if you’re in Ulsan, come to Three Power of Six so you can EAT some Gucci while soaking in the cool atmosphere and vibe (take a look at some of the pictures of the place after the food!)!

Instagram post link (published October 8th 2025)

Jungang Market, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 8th 2025)

When the sun sets, Jungang Market is a vibrant food hub filled with stalls offering a diverse range of cuisines, from local to international. The market offers a tray for KRW 12,000, which lets you choose up to four dishes. I, of course, went for it, not only because I was starving, but also because there were so many tempting choices, and I didn’t want to stick with only one!

I began my lively dinner with the doughy, soft, and gushy Takoyaki and the Kimbap, which had a BBQ-like taste with a fantastic sauce. I’m not really a fan of perilla leaves, but they were great here!

I then went for the Chicken Tacos, which were simple yet tasty and came with a spicy, sweet sauce on top, which was lovely! I do wish the chicken had been mixed into the sauce, though, as the chicken on its own was somewhat bland.

Last but not least was the Pad Ka Prao with Rice, which I requested to be spicy, and BOY did they make it spicy! The deliciously seasoned meat was worth setting my tongue ablaze; it was that good!

It was a pretty lively and unusual way to have dinner, but I think that’s what made it even more fun and memorable to me!

Instagram post link (published October 16th 2025)

No Words, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 9th 2025)

No Words leaves you with… no words (badum-tssh) with how cool it is!

The ultimate hipster haven, No Words has it all: vibe-y music, a chill atmosphere, and an aesthetic that reminds you of a medieval commoner’s home back in the 1600s in the best way possible. To make things even cooler, you also have the baristas’ workstation that literally looks like a DJ set!

I soaked all of this up with a cup of their refreshing Passion Fruit Ade, which, if I may add, was definitely one of the most ade-st drinks I’ve had here in South Korea, since most I’ve had before weren’t as fizzy!

They’re more focused on their coffee beverages, however, so if it’s your thing, you’ll definitely enjoy!

Instagram post link (published October 18th 2025)

Hwangnam Bibimbap, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 9th 2025)

Hwangnam Bibimbap is an establishment where they typically expect two or more diners to come in and, well, dine, so it made complete sense for the staff to be confused when I came in with just myself and my stomach and ordered their Beef Rib Bibimbap!

The meat was so ridiculously soft and tender, and you could taste the sweet and smoky marinade in every bite. When paired with the nuttiness of the sesame oil that coated every single grain of the rice and the unique, salty, and savory taste of the seaweed, it made for a lethal combination. And, mind you, this is before you add the other ingredients on the side!

Y’all know I eat a LOT, but this one was an impossible task because of its gargantuan size, so I had to have the remaining 60% packed up to take home (hopefully this lets you know that it was THAT big in portion!). Bring your loved ones along and treat yourself to some of their Bibimbap; it’s to die for!

Instagram post link (published October 18th 2025)

Bibibidang, Gyeongju, South Korea (August 9th 2025)

During my visit to Bibibidang, located inside the Wooyang Museum, I found that traditional Korean desserts, amongst a modern and almost futuristic decor, really do make for an enjoyable and relaxing experience!

I opted for their Korean Tea and Dessert of the Day, along with a slice of cake, and unfortunately, I don’t recall any of their names (which is criminal, as the staff was kind enough to explain what they were TWICE), so I’ll try my best to be as descriptive as possible!

The tea had a pleasantly subtle floral taste and made for a nice contrast to the nutty black sesame dessert, which had a lovely, crumbly texture. As for the cake, it was deliciously sweet, with a softness that felt almost like it melted in my mouth, and it paired well with the tea. In fact, I feel like it enhanced the tea’s floral taste!

Instagram post link (published October 19th 2025)

Hwandae Coffee Walk, Seoul, South Korea (August 16th 2025)

As a reward for mindlessly scrolling for hours, the TikTok gods blessed me with a recommendation to Hwandae Coffee Walk, a place I would describe as the literal embodiment of a Sunday: sunny, warm, and relaxing.

Wanting to engage in the Sunday energy (although I visited there on a Saturday), Nothing screamed “SUNDAYYY!” more than a brunch kind of vibe, so I went for their delightfully spicy and savory Mushroom Panini, which had it all: crunchy, toasty bread, mushrooms that were really mushrooming and complemented the greens (I’m too unhealthy to know what each of them exactly were), crisp potato chips on the side, and oh-so vinegary and spicy pickled radish and carrots that interestingly reminded me of the pickled plums (we call ‘em Lapsi Ko Achaar) back home.

Aside from the rejuvenating complimentary welcome drink with a lovely, lingering floral taste, I had a gorgeous-looking glass of Iced Matcha Latte, which was smooth and milky, with a subtle, earthy aftertaste that lingered with every sip.

Y’all know that I am one thirsty dude, so of course I had another drink; I ordered a glass of their fizzy Lemon and Lime Soda, which was a perfect companion for the Mushroom Panini and was so reminiscent of India’s Limca drink, which of course means that the Lemon and Lime Soda was a 10/10!

Typically, I tend to end my posts here, but wait! I also need to talk about another amazing thing Hwandae Coffee Walk offers: the energy of its staff! They were so sweet, kind, and outgoing, and usually that kind of vibe is a little overwhelming for an awkward introvert like me, but they still made me feel comfortable and welcome, which I am so grateful for. Great food AND great vibes, what more could you want?!

Instagram post link (published October 25th 2025)

Mijeong Noodles 0410, Seoul, South Korea (August 16th 2025)

Nothing seemed perfect for a hot, sweaty August evening than a cold bowl of chilled anchovy broth noodles, so I headed to Mijeong Noodles 0410 (not entirely sure about the name, to be honest) and was taken care of by the equally cool and very patient halmeoni who ran the place like the boss that she was.

The dish was simple, but in my opinion, that was what made it great, because the vinegary and savory taste was more than enough and worked amazingly with the (literal) icy temperature. Needless to say, I left not only full but also completely rejuvenated!

Instagram post link (published October 27th 2025)

Maple House, Seoul, South Korea (August 17th 2025)

The TikTok gods gave their most devout follower yet another excellent recommendation, this time being Maple House (thank you to user @m.bradley.m on Instagram!)!

Known for their American-style breakfast and brunch fare, I knew had to go there to whet my ravenous appetite, so I got their signature American Breakfast, which had tasty, greasy (as it always should be) Bacon with a woody taste (if that makes sense), chewy and savory Homemade Link Sausage with a great depth of flavor that lingered after every bite, salty Ham/Spam (what’s the difference really?) with a fattiness that coated my entire tongue, a delightful Sunny Side Up (the ONLY proper way to eat eggs), crisp yet soft Potato Hash that were like cubed fries, and last but not the least, the Pancake…

…Y’all know it’s about to be real good when something gets its own dedicated paragraph on this blog, and let me tell you, there is a reason why people praise their pancakes! Spongy and delightful, I love how pouring some syrup or spreading butter onto Maple House’s pancakes means ENHANCING the flavor, not completely ADDING to it, if that makes sense. Seriously, it’s that delicious!

In between bites of their divine pancake, I had a glass of their fresh, sweet, and tangy Orange Juice, which, as our God up above in heaven intended, was PULPY (if you’re a filthy blasphemist who prefers non-pulp OJ, I will pray for you)!

As it was a Sunday, and as I am a fully-grown adult (please don’t let my be-youthiful appearance fool you), I HAD to get myself their Grapefruit Mimosa, and my word, they really reassured me that I wasn’t served a Grapefruit Ade but a Grapefruit M-I-M-O-S-A because it packed quite a punch! Bitter and addictively refreshing, it was a great way to start the day!

Instagram post link (published November 1st 2025)

Rubin, Pyeongtaek, South Korea (August 24th 2025)

Located in the British Godeok shopping mall, Rubin is a relaxed and airy cafe with a beautiful aesthetic. It’s become somewhat of a tradition to have a nice little tea break here before losing ourselves in the massive Daiso nearby, where we spend almost an hour browsing things we definitely don’t need, but MIGHT POSSIBLY need in the future!

That day, I had their Cheesecake, Apple Pie, Lemon Financier, and their Salted Caramel Cookie, along with a glass of their delightful Strawberry Latte. So, let me tell you (with a drooling mouth) how each of them was!

Firstly, the Cheesecake had a combination of textures: it was gritty, creamy, and crumbly – it’s quite an experience to experience a variety of textures in a single bite! Flavor-wise, it had a fresh, subtle taste and paired really well with the Strawberry Latte.

The Apple Pie (honestly, I’m not sure if that’s what they were actually called) had a flaky, buttery pastry with a lovely apple (shocker!) filling that was sweet and complemented the pastry’s butteriness.

The Lemon Financier was soft, sweet, and pretty reminiscent of South Asian desserts, which was a very welcome surprise!

Lastly (but not the least-ly), the Salted Caramel Cookie was salty and sweet (a godlike combo) and had a sticky and slightly crunchy exterior from the caramel!

You know what, maybe it’s time to pay a visit to Rubin and Daiso again…

Instagram post link (published November 2nd 2025)

Chaihyang, Pyeongtaek, South Korea (August 28th 2025)

Honestly, I’m not quite the biggest aficionado of Korean-Chinese cuisine, which is pretty amusing considering I do love Korean and Chinese cuisine on their own…

As if to show me the wonders of the fusion cuisine, Chaihyang introduced itself to my neighborhood, so you know I had to pay a visit!

I got myself a bowl of regular Jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles), which is basically THE Korean-Chinese dish, and I said “regular” because a special, spicier version is also served, but oddly not for solo diners. The noodles were both slurpy and chewy, and the sauce was mildly savory. However, before I could fully appreciate the taste, a watery aftertaste emerged, which detracted from my enjoyment of the dish; thankfully, some condiments were available that somewhat helped.

I had also ordered some steamed dumplings on the side, and (to my slight disappointment) they came in bite-sized pieces… Water is the source of life and yada yada, but at the time, it was killing me because it came between me and my food yet again: the puddle under the dumplings washed away the taste, and even the soy sauce on the side felt watered down.

A complimentary dessert was served at the end of the meal, which was reminiscent of a chewy donut with a red bean filling, and it was pretty nice. However, I wish the rest of the dishes I had were as nice. In their defense, I did pop in during the lunch hour rush, so maybe my experience would’ve been entirely different had I come in at another time. I haven’t entirely written off Chaihyang and Korean-Chinese cuisine, so I’m willing to give it another shot someday!

Instagram post link (published November 3rd 2025)

ChikiChakaChoco, Daegu, South Korea (August 31st 2025)

It is very much true when they say that sweet treats taste even sweeter when they’re well-earned, so I headed to Chichacho_banwoldang to give myself a greatly-deserved reward for… um… uh… y’know… something…

Anyways! I had their Milk Chocolate Shake, which, like any good shake, was thick and had a lovely, balanced richness to it, which I liked because chocolate-based drinks tend to get a bit too overwhelming for my tastes.

I also had to try their famous Cream Rolls, and since I was in a ChikiChakaChoco-latey mood, I got one with a chocolate filling, which was light and airy, whereas the pastry was flaky and had crunchy sugar crystals sprinkled on top.

Honestly, sweet treats really DO taste even sweeter when they’re well-earned!

Instagram post link (published November 4th 2025)

Inheritance Lounge, Daegu, South Korea (August 31st 2025)

Located inside the fancy Eldis Regent hotel is the even fancier Inheritance Lounge, a bar and cafe hybrid with an aesthetic to die for, along with an immaculate vibe that even made someone who’s one missed paycheck away from selling their kidneys for money feel like a millionaire!

Although the dark, rainy clouds covered up the sky, I still got to see the brilliant sun descend with the Camellia Sunset, a gorgeous and refreshing drink with a lovely floral taste from the tea and a fruity sweetness from the puree at the bottom. The staff also gave me a complimentary cookie (thank you!), and I happily nibbled on the buttery treat while sipping my drink and waiting for the rain to stop!

Instagram post link (published November 6th 2025)

Utaro Dongseongno, Daegu, South Korea (August 31st 2025)

I had a lovely bowl of ramen (although I cannot recall the exact name) at Utaro amongst the colorful anime decor and the speakers blasting some good YOASOBI songs, which had a rich, savory broth (although admittedly lacking a depth of flavor), noodles with great texture, and THIQUE, juicy cuts of pork that had a delicious natural flavor to them.

Alongside my ramen, I also ordered their Chashu to pair with it, and for my beverages (yes, in plural!), I had the refreshingly fizzy Mango Soda and an alcoholic drink (I forgot to write down the name again…) which was oh-so citrus-y, and… …refreshing (all I want for Christmas is a thesaurus), and certainly helped cut down the richness and the slight greasiness of the ramen!

Instagram post link (published November 7th 2025)

Cafe Mary, Daegu, South Korea (August 31st 2025)

I felt like Little Red Riding Hood paying a visit to my grandma when I entered the fairytale-like cottage that was Cafe Mary, although there was a little twist- the big bad wolf was now a tiny precious dog (who is also named Mary!)!

While watching the angel that was Mary, who was lazily lying on the floor (oh, to be a dog and to not even know about the concept of debts…), I had a glass of an Iced Green Tea Latte, which was smooth with a milky finish and had a light green tea taste.

Alongside my drink, I stuffed my face with their Sweet Potato Cake, a delicious treat with the perfect sweetness and a lovely, dense, slightly pudding-like texture!

I’ll definitely come back for the cake and to see Mary again when I come to Daegu!

Instagram post link (published November 8th 2025)

Gableroof Coffee, Daegu, South Korea (September 1st 2025)

After marveling in the sights of the amazingly cool ARC and the Gangjeong Goryeongbo Weir, I headed to the vibe-y and super spacious Gable Roof Caaoffee for a quick snack!

While I sipped on the smooth Iced Matcha Latte, which had the natural sweetness of the milk front and center and had a lingering aftertaste, I had the hot dog-like pastry and a sweet garlic bread roll as well (I forgot to note down their names…), which the cafe staff kindly had cut into bite-sized pieces (thank you!). The former was crisp and bread-y, with a sausage and cheese filling, whereas the latter was very sweet (garlic items tend to be on the sweet side here in South Korea), and the lovely garlicky taste left an aftertaste with every bite!

Instagram post link (published November 10th 2025)

People’s Coffee, Daegu, South Korea (September 1st 2025)

The People’s Prince, aka Sam R. Lama, aka thyself, paid a visit to the beautiful People’s Coffee, where, after receiving a warm welcome and great service, I took a seat by the window to watch over my beloved subjects.

The silky smooth Iced Matcha Latte arrived first, which had a delectable sweetness to it, and then came in the Lemon Earl Grey Highball, which was THE perfect drink for a Daefrican summer (I visited Daegu in early September): refreshingly* lemon-y and fizzy, along with a lovely tea flavor! It was very reminiscent of Hong Kong’s pride and joy, the Vita-C, just a bit more fizzier. I strongly recommend this divine elixir of a drink to all!

Last but absolutely not least, let’s talk about the sinfully good French Toast- that bad boy came in GLISTENING from the melted butter and the syrup, which the thick, springy bread soaked up oh-so-wonderfully. Despite the sweetness, it still retained an eggy taste, which is what I prefer for my French toast, so it was a bonus! Definitely a great way to wrap up my trip to Daegu!

P.S. If you go there, make sure to try their signature People’s Coffee, which apparently contains milk, espresso, and peanut butter… I’m not really a coffee guy, so I didn’t try it, but months later I’m still super curious!…

Instagram post link (published November 11th 2025)