Tucked away behind Seoul’s picturesque houses near Bukchon Hanok Village is Dotori Garden. Nestled behind a traditional hanok house, this aesthetically cottage-core eatery will fit into a Ghibli movie or Dutch countryside.

The building is like an abandoned house that nature and Little Bo Peep reclaimed. Inside the distressed walls, dozens of knickknacks and peeling paint added to its storybook vibe.

The two-story restaurant is split into rooms. One room has a bakery setup where you grab a tray and pick your own pastries and breads. The next room is where you order from a Greek yogurt bar featuring an impressive selection of toppings like fresh fruits, figs, pumpkin seeds and honeycomb. If you’re skipping the yogurt, which I don’t suggest, this room is also where you order a delightful breakfast and beverage.

On the first floor, there are also places to pick up your tray and return it when you’re done, a couple of small dining rooms and a conservatory with heaters to keep diners warm.

On the second floor, more rooms with dining space, each with mismatched furniture which together creates a cohesive aesthetic. During a recent visit, my sister and I chose a table on the second floor with schoolroom chairs and an old workshop table.

After selecting our seats, we went back down to the first floor to order but made sure to start at the bakery room to choose a sweet treat. It was a difficult choice, but we picked two adorable acorn-shaped madeleines, one lemon and one pistachio.

In the next room, I couldn’t resist ordering the Real Strawberry Greek yogurt for 18,500 won (about $13). The employee loaded the heaping serving of creamy yogurt with generous portions of strawberries, chocolate granola, pistachios, pecans, almonds, walnuts, honey and a honeycomb chunk.

Here we also ordered from the small but mighty soup and brunch menu. I selected the French Toast Brunch for 14,500 won, which included a side salad topped with Reggiano cheese. My sister went for the Pretzel Brunch for 16,000 won. This plate included two mini pretzel buns, scrambled eggs, bacon, stir-fried vegetables and an avocado half. To drink, I chose the ABC (apple, beet, carrot) juice for 9, 500 won and my sister picked the Rendevous iced tea featuring black tea, strawberry syrup and rosemary garnish.

After paying, we were given our buzzer to wait for our order. We used that time to explore the restaurant a little and connect to the free Wi-Fi to figure out where we were heading next.

The wait was about 15 minutes. We went to the pickup window on the first floor and carefully navigated our way up the steep, narrow stairs with our trays.

We settled in for a decadent meal that was just as delicious as it looked. My ABC juice was tart and lightly sweetened and the French toast was rich with honey butter and soft with the right amount of crispy caramelized edges. I was glad for the side salad because I often end up skipping on veggies while I’m on vacation.

My sister enjoyed her meal, but the pretzel buns were a little stiff. She said the scrambled eggs were good and chili flakes sprinkled on top were a nice addition. She gave me some of her tea and it was very herbal but refreshing.

Probably the best, and most expensive, part of the meal was the yogurt bowl. The creamy, slightly sour yogurt balanced the decadent toppings. This was my first time trying honeycomb, so it was a little confusing as to whether you’re supposed to eat the wax. I opted not to, but I guess you can if you want.

A few bites in and we started to realize our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. I still regret having to leave most of the yogurt bowl behind. The staff graciously obliged our request to bag our madeleines so we could have them to go.

Of all the breakfasts we had on our short trip to Seoul, Dotori Garden was the best. From the atmosphere to the bakery, tasty dishes and delicious yogurt, it was a delightful way to start our day of exploring.

USAG Yongsan

Camp Casey

Café