Shin-Okubo, Tokyo’s Koreatown is where you can shop for all the latest K-beauty products, find affordable K-Pop merchandise, and of course, eat authentic Korean food. As soon as you exit the station, you will feel like you have just landed in Seoul. Not only is Shin-Okubo one of the most vibrant and lively neighborhoods in Tokyo but it is also home to some of the best dessert places where you can sit and enjoy something sweet!
These days you won’t just find traditional Korean desserts being served but also more contemporary-style desserts inspired by K-Pop and other popular culture references. Something you might not know is that a lot of cafes actually host events to celebrate their favorite K-Pop groups or a much-loved idol. Because there is such importance behind cafe culture in South Korea itself, you will find that many of the places in Shin-Okubo tend to open early and close just before midnight, making them an ideal post-dinner hangout spot.
If you have never visited this neighborhood before, one of the first things you’ll notice as soon as you arrive is that the main street can get packed pretty quickly. As a result of this, it is easy to get swept away with the crowd, without having a proper chance to look at the vast amount of interesting spots. That’s why we wanted to create this list of the best dessert places to visit to not only help you narrow the choice down but also to make sure you don’t miss out!
① Sul Bing Cafe (ソルビン)
Sul Bing is a famous dessert cafe chain which originates from South Korea and famous for serving different variations of bingsu (Korean shaved ice). It is even said that this chain played a significant role in making the traditional dessert popular again by inventing more conte mporary flavors . The Shin-Okubo Sulbing Cafe is a fairly new branch and can be found a two-minute walk away from the station.
Sul Bing is a famous dessert cafe chain which originates from South Korea and famous for serving different variations of bingsu (Korean shaved ice). It is even said that this chain played a significant role in making the traditional dessert popular again by inventing more conte imporary flavors . The Shin-Okubo Sulbing Cafe is a fairly new branch and can be found a two-minute walk away from the station.
Since this cafe has two-floors, it is ideal for those in bigger groups. The building’s big windows make everything feel brighter as well as provide a comfortable space for you to grab a refreshing late night dessert and watch the world go by.
- Sul Bing Cafe（ソルビン）
- 〒169-0073 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Hyakunincho, 2 Chome−3−20 Bichon Shin-Okubo Station, 1st floor & 2nd floor
- Mon - Sun, 11am - 11pm
- ¥500 - ¥2000
- cash and card
- @sulbingjapan
② Fukkadan (黒花堂)
Heukhwadang is a global premium tea and dessert brand which has four different locations across Japan but only one in Tokyo. The one in Shin-Okubo is a two-minute walk from the station and can be found along the main street, on the corner. Although the size of this place is relatively small, with there being no seating, their selection of both sweet and savory snacks is large. Just the selection of bubble and milk teas is impressive. From a classic Brown Sugar to Passionfruit Pearl Tea, you can find something to please your taste buds.
As much as Heukhwadang is primarily known for its delicious Bubble Milk Tea, it is actually the macaroons that the stall sells which is the main attraction. If you are a bigtime fan of the K-Pop group BTS, then you will know about their LINE character brand, BT21. At Heukhwadang, you can buy the cutest and most delicious-looking macarons of some of your favorite BT21 characters. The macaron flavors include strawberry, peanut, milk, and chocolate brownie, with one costing ¥480 or a complete set for ¥1900. Even if you aren’t a BTS fan, you can get your hands on some of the other adorable character-themed macarons they have on offer, including a cookie-flavored cookie monster and matcha-flavored avocado.
- Fukkadan (黒花堂)
- 〒169-0073 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Hyakunincho, 2 Chome−2−1, REMAX Shin-Okubo
- Mon to Fri, 10am - 9pm, Sat, 10am - 10pm
- ¥450 - ¥2000
- cash only
- @heukhwadang_tokyo
③ 2D Cafe
If you are looking for somewhere with a fun theme, which is memorable and instagrammable, then consider visiting the 2D Cafe located just east of the station. As soon as you step inside this cafe, you’ll feel like you are part of a classic cartoon strip as a result of the two-dimensional look of all the furniture.
After you have initially gotten over this illusion, you can make your way over to the counter to order one of the many desserts that they have on offer. Here you can find a solid selection of bingsu, waffles, and bubble tea – all which use fresh fruits to add extra sweetness and color. The vibrant desserts and drinks strongly contrast and look so eye-catching when put against the monochromatic black-and-white animated setting.
This place can sometimes get quite busy, especially on the weekend, since it is quite popular with tourists so anticipate potentially having to queue to get a seat. Despite this possibility, this quirky cafe should still be added onto your list of dessert places to visit as it offers an unique experience like no other.
- 2D Cafe
- 〒169-0073 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Hyakunincho, 1 Chome−7−5 Za Building 1
- Mon to Sun, 11am - 10pm
- ¥500 - ¥1500
- cash and card
- @2dcafe_shinokubo
④ POPO Hotteok (ポポホットク)
No trip is truly complete without visiting POPO Hotteok, a Korean-style street stall located only three minutes west from the station. Here you can try different types of Hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes), a small crispy type of pancake which has filling inside and has long been a popular street food in South Korea.
The top three recommended flavors include honey, cheese, and red bean but for those with a sweet tooth, it is best to choose the honey pancake. Each one is made to order and only costs around ¥400!
Since this is only a small street stall, there is no seating available so most people stand on the side of the pavement to eat their hotteok. Therefore, this place is recommended for those who just want something quick, easy, and to-go. You order via a small vending machine at the stall so make sure to bring cash with you.
Ultimately, POPO Hotteok offers cheap and cheerful sweet treats, as well as some savory ones, which are not only authentic but a perfect after-dinner treat. The fact it is busy both day and night, with people waiting in line to try, shows just how popular and reputable this small stall is.
- POPO Hotteok (POPO ホットク)
- 〒169-0072, 2 Chome-32-3 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
- Mon - Sun, 10am - 8pm
- ¥400 - ¥1000
- cash only
- Not available
⑤ Haru Coffee
Although also based along the main street, Haru Coffee can easily be missed since it sits among a number of shops and is located on the second floor. To find it, make sure to look out for the giant ice cream sculpture, rainbow staircase, and adorable cartoon signage which decorates the top of the building. Despite this cafe being less spacious than some of the other cafes mentioned, there is still quite a bit of seating, including a cozy and elevated area which is perfect for bigger groups.
Haru Coffee is known for both its Rainbow yogurt cake, costing ¥700 by itself or ¥1200 in a set with a drink, and adorable 3D latte art, costing ¥650. This charming cafe offers croissant waffles, cookies, and ice cream – all sweet, delicious, and reasonably sized. Everything here feels cheerful and colorful, from the cute cartoon characters on the cups to the bright neon lights. Notably, this cafe is also a great choice for K-Pop fans as you can watch and listen to … popular K-Pop music videos which are projected on the walls. You will find that Haru Coffee is pretty busy during the day as it is one of the more popular places people go to grab a coffee and catch up with friends.
Yet, the coolest thing about this particular cafe is that at night, it turns into a bar, where you can share a bottle of soju or other alcoholic drinks with friends or family. The fact it is open until 11pm makes this cafe an excellent choice for those who want to continue the night in a fun but comfortable setting.
- Haru Coffee
- 〒169-0072, 2 Chome-32-1 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
- Mon to Fri, 10am - 10pm, Sat to Sun, 10am - 11pm
- ¥600 - ¥1500
- cash only
- @h_a_r_ucoffee
⑥ Cafe Neul
Tucked away in one of Shin-Okubo’s many side streets, Cafe Neul is a cozy cafe which serves as a wonderful setting to unwind either by yourself or with friends and enjoy a sweet treat. This understated cafe, with its interior design inspired by the minimalistic style which is currently all the rage in Korea, specializes in serving a variety of cakes, coffees, and other drinks.
With there being six different types of cakes, all priced at ¥750, you are very likely to find something that you will enjoy. Options range from a classic Strawberry Shortcake and delightful Blueberry Tart. The drinks menu also does not disappoint with this Neul offering a signature Pistachio Cream Latte alongside fresh grapefruit, blue lemon, and passionfruit ades. On top of all of this, all the drinks and cakes are both lovingly-made and gorgeous, making them the perfect subject for an instagram post.
Like many of the other cafes on this list, Cafe Neul is open until late, making it an ideal place to stop by after work or after having just finished a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants. During the day, especially before the lunchtime rush, it is also an excellent place to study or work remotely from. The inside of the cafe itself is spacious, hosts a relaxing atmosphere, and offers free WiFi and charging ports. Quintessentially Seoul in style and character, Cafe Neul is a must- go dessert cafe.
- Cafe Neul
- 〒169-0073, 1 Chome-3-25 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
- Mon to Sun, 11am - 9pm
- ¥500 - ¥1000
- cash or Paypay only
- @neul_shinokubo
That’s our rundown of the best dessert places to visit in Shin-Okubo, each with their own unique style and atmosphere. Which one will you be heading to first?
