On April 15, 2026, I visited the hot spot Kurari cafe, located in the Apgujeong/Dosan Park area. Kurari means ‘artisan’s vault’ or ‘artisan’s workshop’ in Japanese, and it’s a place where global collaboration has been undertaken to enhance the brand’s completeness.
Meeting World-Class Experts
In the coffee sector, Hiroshi Sawada, a winner of the Latte Art World Championship and selected as one of the ‘100 Japanese People Changing the World,’ participated. In the dessert sector, Keisuke Oyama, a patissier operating 8 stores in Tokyo, joined to present Kurari’s unique flavors.
Although I visited at the opening time of 10:30 AM, the entrance was already crowded with many customers, and many people were filming for Instagram or YouTube. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find an empty seat and sat down immediately.
Various Desserts and Drinks
At Kurari, you can enjoy a wide variety of desserts and baked goods. The desserts, in particular, handled by a famous Japanese patissier, offer a delightful experience for both the eyes and the palate. You can watch the dessert-making process through the glass window in the workshop located inside the cafe.
The drinks I ordered were an Americano and a decaffeinated latte. For desserts, I purchased two chestnut financiers and one pistachio financier, and one plain financier.
The cafe interior has a unique structure with different levels. Looking from the table towards the entrance, I saw not only young people but also many elderly individuals over 65 visiting to socialize.
The stairs leading to the second floor are eye-catching with their beautiful interior design. This area is not a cafe but a Dr. Martens shoe store, and the bakery is located opposite the stairs. The vase placed under the stairs is also a lovely decoration.
The overall atmosphere of the cafe is decorated with a European-style, sophisticated interior. Every detail, from the ceiling and walls to the picture frames, shows meticulous attention. The flower vase on the table featured my favorite ranunculus, displaying an elegant pink color.
Sweet Financiers and Richly Flavored Coffee
I packed two chestnut financiers for my son, Jaewon, and enjoyed two with coffee. The chestnut financiers were cute, shaped like chestnuts, and had a delicious nutty flavor with whole chestnuts inside. Although the surface was coated with syrup, it wasn’t as sweet as I expected, which was nice. The pistachio financier also tasted good.
The Americano had a clean taste, and the decaffeinated latte had a deep and rich body. It wasn’t too acidic or bitter, making it easy to enjoy. The latte art, in particular, looked like a person embracing a heart, showcasing the artisan’s skill.
Shopping at the 2nd Floor Dr. Martens Store
On the second floor, the Dr. Martens store offers a selection of shoes and bags. Various products are displayed, from the famous yellow-stitched boots to a variety of bag designs, including women’s handbags. The burgundy women’s handbag, which is reportedly only available at the Apgujeong store, caught my eye.
My husband liked the ‘Derby shoes’ with their cute round toes and decided to purchase them. We also received a 10% discount as part of the new store opening promotion. It was impressive that they have a repair workshop on-site, allowing for repairs within an hour, and offer lifetime after-sales service with purchases.
Kurari is an attractive space where you can enjoy delicious coffee and desserts on the first floor and shop on the second floor. I visited after seeing an Instagram Reel, and next time, I definitely want to try the signature menu items, the terrine and caramel pudding, with my son Jaewon.
I recommend visiting when you go out to Apgujeong/Dosan Park. I hope all my neighbors have a happy weekend!
Kurari
Seoul Special City Gangnam District 842 Eonju-ro, 1st Floor
#Kurari #ApgujeongHotPlace #ApgujeongRestaurant #ApgujeongCafe
