Hidden below the 3zium apartment complex in Songpa-gu, surrounded by the usual marts, nail salons, and Korean style bakeries, lies the best little crêperie in Seoul you don’t know about.
And it’s French friend tested and approved!
If you’ve lived in Korea for any length of time, you know it’s darned near impossible to find a quality savoury crepe at a reasonable price, outside of Itaewon. That’s because Koreans (mostly) have yet to develop the taste or understanding for a crepe filled with something other than fruit, ice cream or chocolate.
At Le Tatin though, along with the usual tarts and sweet crepes, there are also savoury choices ranging from bacon cheddar to caprese to mushroom emmenthal. Melted together with a slightly runny egg, and wrapped in folded layers of thin dough, they make for a satisfying brunch or afternoon snack – one that’s pretty hard to come by in Korea.
Crepe set with coffee and side salad
There are no kernels of corn, mayonnaise or other unwelcome Korean bakery style surprises in the crepes and pastries at Le Tatin. Only products created in an authentic style using what owner Wonwoo Lee calls, “real food” ingredients – most of which he makes himself in the back of his tiny space.
Where the magic happens
We visited Le Tatin at least once a week when it first opened, and still find ourselves there quite often. It was just that good. Stop by and try it out for yourself, and say hi to the chef for us when you do. 🙂
About Le Tatin
Opened in August 2014, by former banker Lee Wonwoo, the shop came to life when his wife was relocated to New York City for work. He took the opportunity to enroll himself at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), and after 6 months of classes and 200 hours of practicum, he returned to Korea and opened Le Tatin, which serves house-made sweet and savoury crepes, sandwiches, tarts, and various other baked goods.
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- Lee Wonwoo and le tarte tatin
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- Tarts, tarts, tarts!
Try the shop’s namesake tart – the Tarte Tatin, which was invented in the early 1900s in the Loire Valley of France. Essentially an upside-down apple tart with sugar, butter and pastry crust, it must be served warm.
Lee’s version is comprised of an entire poached apple, and well worth the 5,500 KRW price tag.
Getting to Le Tatin
Located on the B1 level of the 3zium apartment complex, you can reach it by exiting Jamsil Saenae subway and walking towards exit 5/6. Enter the building that has the Lotte Grocery store and keep to the left. Le Tatin is approximately halfway down the corridor.
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- Head towards the Lotte My Super
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- Le Tatin’s bright, happy space
Crepes and tarts start at 5,000, and can be turned into a set with a small salad and coffee, for an extra 3,000 – 3,500, depending on which coffee you choose. You can also pre-order large tarts for events.
More information and a full menu can be found on their website (in Korean), or Facebook page.
Would you try a savoury crepe? Know anywhere else to get one in Seoul? Share your experiences in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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ashleegriffith
I love this post. I am planning on coming to Korea for a short summer month long study abroad trip and I am making a list of places and foods I want to try when I get there. I am definitely adding this to my list!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
It’s absolutely delicious and super affordable! You won’t be disappointed you visited. Enjoy your study abroad – summer here in Seoul is HOT, HOT, HOT, so be prepared. 😉
wonwooyi
Happy to say ‘HI’ here Shelley! Thanks to all the warm-hearted words and reviews for my shop. I’m a little embarrassed because it seems you love ‘Le Tatin’ more than I do. ^^ Looking forward to seeing you soon again!. Please say ‘ hello’ to your little princess Naia!! Best Regards Wonoo
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Haha, it’s a “labour of love,” for you, whereas we just get to come and enjoy the food without worrying about the business side of things. I hope you get some new customers from the post!! 🙂
Lisa (Travel Loving Family)
Ooh what a great find! Those pastries look amazing:) #MondayEscapes
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Finding authentic versions of these things in Seoul can be difficult, so we’re pretty happy this one is so close to our house! 🙂
Star Lengas (@87PageS)
I haven’t had a French crepe in years! I had something close in Florida (it included bechamel, salmon, asparagus, and capers— it was actually pretty nomms!) But, I’d love to try this little restaurant especially their signature crepe, topped with icecream that sounds delicious!! Le Tatin sounds like an authentic place, I’ll def have to add it to my brunch list! Do they serve alcohol?
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Ok, so um that crepe you had in Florida sounds pretty divine. The best ones I’ve had were in Whistler, Canada, and of course in France. Sad news though, they don’t serve alcohol. It’s really a tiny little place. Coffee’s good though! 🙂
tashtravel
Looks friggin great! This place is near my friend’s home, so I think a visit to this area is needed soon! I love savoury crepes, and actually make them myself. I like the crepe Florentine, and also ham and cheese together, with a (runny) fried egg perched on top! But the sweet pies look great too. Banker turned baker. How interesting!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Haha, I think I need to go to your house for breakfast! 😉 I haven’t attempted to make them at home myself, especially since there’s really no point. Le Tatin is 1 block away from my apartment and I’m sure he makes them much better than I could! Yes, banker for 17 years!!!! He speaks great english – you can ask him about it when you visit. 🙂
Travel with Karla
I think the owner would get a lot of customers because you wrote about this. It looks so delicious and so affordable! Thanks for writing about it!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
I hope so! He really deserves to have a lot of customers and a successful business, especially since what he offers is so rare in Seoul and so affordable. 🙂
The Soul of Seoul
I have to say that due to the location, I’d probably walk right by this place and never walk in. So many places in the underground shopping areas/subway malls don’t get my attention at all. Not sure why. I’m glad you guys stopped in and tried it and it was awesome though. Will make me rethink my choice to never stop in the underground food shops.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
We usually do too, but his savoury crepes caught my eye before it opened, because they’re such a rarity in Seoul – and well, I was craving them. Fortunately, they turned out to be as delicious as we’d hoped.
Alla Ponomareva
Oh! I’m such a sucker for sweet things and those crepes and those sweet treats look fantastic! I’m also used to having my crepes in a sweet form for breakfast, but who is to say that you can’t try it in other variations. Pinning!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
They really are as good as they look! I’ve always preferred savoury crepes – something about the egg, cheese, protein combo probably. 😉 It’s the perfect combo for me there actually – a savoury crepe, followed by a fruity tart. Enjoy it when you visit! 🙂
Brian Keith Dye
Great find! I haven’t had crepes in so long and savory crepes? Years! It’s fantastic when places like this spring up especially when they are not in the usual location: itaewon. Can’t wait to try this out. And the tarts! Can’t forget those tarts.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Honestly, I think there are probably a ton of places like this (not crepe places, but things we don’t expect) outside of Itaewon, but they’re almost impossible to find, because most English language bloggers are writing about just a few areas of the city. We’ve been living over here in Jamsil area for the last 4 years now (Noksapyeong before this), and I’ve definitely noticed an uptick in international food offerings around here. In fact, the whole B1 level of the old Lotte Mall has been renovated with restos like Halal Guys, Vatos, Butterfinger etc….etc…. but please do go and give Le Tatin’s crepes a try. They’re worth the trip! 🙂
Wendy Flor
From the owner’s effort to hone his culinary skills, it’s no surprise that he does the flavors justice and you like the place. If this is near me, it will be great to drop by too especially when recommended by a fellow blogger.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
We’re pretty close to Lotte World Mall, so if you ever make it over to these parts, I definitely recommend a visit. It’s so affordable and delicious, and we actually just went there again yesterday. Ha!