Dotori Yongsan Branch: A Ghibli-Inspired Cafe in Yongnidan-gil, Perfect for a Date
Hi everyone, it’s Bear Bbyu🧸!
Today, I’m here with a review of Dotori Yongsan Branch, a cafe my partner and I stumbled upon during our Yongnidan-gil date that completely captured my heart! I’d been enchanted by its charming and cozy interior, which felt like stepping right into a Ghibli animation, and had always wanted to visit – and I finally got to go! 🥰
Yongnidan-gil Must-Visit
Dotori Yongsan Branch
My Review 💓
Dotori Yongsan Branch, Yongridan-gil
Dotori is located on Yongnidan-gil, nestled between Sinyongsan and Samgakji Stations. We got off at Samgakji Station and walked. Housed in a renovated old building, Dotori Yongsan exuded a unique atmosphere right from its exterior. With its outer walls crafted from wood and stone, and vintage decor, it felt just like a cabin from a fairy tale!
The small garden next to the entrance, with its lush, green plants, created an even cozier atmosphere. From the moment I stepped inside, I was filled with an exhilarating thrill, just like a protagonist stepping into a Ghibli animation.
Ghibli Aesthetic Interior
The interior, decorated with warm wood-toned furniture and charming little items, gave the illusion of being in a forest cabin where Totoro might live. The low ceilings and soft lighting further enhanced the cozy atmosphere. The acorn character dolls and merchandise placed throughout also made for fun photo opportunities! 📸 The tables were also spaced just right, making it perfect for comfortable conversations.
Especially, the second-floor attic was incredibly cozy! The wooden stairs leading up to the attic were also adorable. And the view of Yongridangil from the attic window was charming as well.
On nice weather days, you can enjoy a leisurely time on the outdoor terrace, basking in the warm sunlight. However, when we visited recently, it was still cold, so we didn’t end up using the terrace. Inside, there was a fireplace, making it quite warm, but it might not offer the same charming ambiance as dining outdoors. Nonetheless, since the wait time is very short, it’s highly recommended for those who need immediate entry!
Dotori Yongsan Branch: Location & Wait Times
We visited on a weekday evening, and as expected of a popular spot, there was a wait. I highly recommend using the Catchtable app to get on the waitlist in advance! We waited for about 30 minutes before being seated. The staff were incredibly friendly and guided us smoothly, which made for a pleasant experience. Since the Greek yogurt is made live right after you order, the freshness was exceptional. 👍
There were many international guests, and I was pleased to find that English and Japanese menus were readily available. The staff were exceptionally friendly and provided very detailed explanations of the menu, which I greatly appreciated. The entire establishment, including the restrooms, was consistently maintained in immaculate condition, allowing for a comfortable visit.
Dotori Yongsan Branch Menu
The signature menu item at Dotori Yongsan? Hands down, it’s their homemade Greek yogurt!
Thanks to its rich, dense texture, you can enjoy it with a variety of toppings, making it fun to customize to your personal taste.
And you definitely won’t want to miss our seasonal menu items! Options include Real Strawberry Greek Yogurt, or dishes made with fresh seasonal fruits such as acai berries, strawberries, and blueberries.
The selection of breads was incredibly diverse, and the acorn-shaped Madeleines and salt bread particularly caught my eye. The variety of flavors—from plain to Earl Grey, vanilla cream, truffle, and basil pesto—was truly astounding!
The salt bread, generously filled with corn cream, was right up my alley as a cream bun fanatic 💘 They also had loaves of bread with fig cream cheese and sweet pumpkin cream cheese, and their pleasantly chewy texture was outstanding. The most popular new items, however, are the Acorn Bread Plain!!! and the Plain Shio (Salt Bread).
On top of that, they also had adorable cakes and a variety of merchandise. The 6 varieties of acorn madeleines would make such wonderful gifts!
The cafe menu is on the left.
The soup and brunch menu is on the right.
The ordered dishes
The place where they make the Greek yogurt was so beautiful, haha!
Perhaps because it’s homemade Greek yogurt,
they make it fresh right after you order!
Watching them add the honey was what got me most excited, haha!
Here’s what we ordered!!
It came with wooden tableware that perfectly matches the concept, a nice touch!
They bring your order directly to your table, so you just need to return it when you’re done!
Organic Açaí Yogurt Bowl ₩21,500
Get the best of both worlds – tangy-sweet flavor and healthy goodness – with our Organic Acai Yogurt Bowl! Built on a base of rich, thick Greek yogurt, it’s generously topped with fresh acai berries, blueberries, and strawberries. Layered with nutty granola and sweet honeycomb, it offers a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. The cool, refreshing tang of the acai berries was simply the best!
Peach Yogurt Drink 8,500 KRW
The peach yogurt was absolutely delightful! It had a refreshingly sweet flavor, packed with generous amounts of sweet peach chunks and a syrupy sauce. It was even more delicious when eaten cold! It felt just like eating the peach-flavored yogurt I used to have as a kid, haha!
Honey Five-Grain Latte 9,500
The Honeycomb Five-Grain Latte, which combined a nutty five-grain latte with real honeycomb, offered a fantastic harmony of sweet and nutty flavors. The distinctive, aromatic flavor of the honeycomb elevated the taste, allowing me to enjoy an even richer experience. The honey was so incredibly soft and smooth that I tried cutting off pieces to eat. It was unbelievably sweet, LOL! My head was buzzing from the sugar rush.
Chocolate Madeleine ₩4,300
The chocolate madeleines, with their rich and appealing chocolate flavor, were just what I needed for a sugar boost. Their moist texture and sweet chocolate taste delivered a delightful sweetness that felt like it melted away all my stress. There are no other fillings inside; only the distinctive hump of the madeleine is covered in chocolate!
Matcha Pistachio Madeleine 4,300
The Matcha Pistachio Madeleine, a unique combination of slightly bitter matcha and nutty pistachio, piqued my curiosity because of its uncommon pairing, and it truly exceeded my expectations! The slightly bitter notes of matcha and the rich, nutty flavor of pistachio harmonized perfectly, creating a distinctive yet incredibly addictive taste.
Acorns & Chestnuts 6,500
The Dotori-Bam Bread, shaped like a cute acorn, was just as delicious as it looked. I tried the chestnut-flavored Dotori-Bam Bread, and it was generously filled with sweet chestnut paste and cream inside its soft bread. The combination resulted in a superb sweet and nutty flavor. It was so good, it made me curious to try the other varieties as well.
An interior brimming with Ghibli charm, plus delicious Greek yogurt and a wide variety of baked goods! My visit to Dotori Yongsan Branch, a must-visit spot in Yongnidan-gil, had everything perfect. I was thoroughly satisfied with both the taste and ambiance. Since there might be a wait on weekends, I recommend visiting on a weekday or making a reservation via Catchtable! I will absolutely visit again! 💖 Next time, I’d love to try their other Greek yogurt varieties and more of their baked goods!
Yongridan-gil Restaurant Hotspot
Dotori Yongsan Branch
Location: 1F, 25-6 Hangang-daero 52-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Phone Number: 02-797-0225
Operating Hours: Daily 09:00 – 23:00
**Dotori Yongsan Branch**
1st Floor, 25-6 Hangang-daero 52-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
This blog’s check-in post is among other entries for this location.
Q&A
Q1. What is the greatest charm of Dotori Yongsan Branch?
A1. The greatest charm of Dotori Yongsan Branch is its charming and cozy interior reminiscent of Ghibli animations, its homemade Greek yogurt, and its diverse bread menu. The unique exterior, renovated from an old building, combined with the lush green garden and warm wood-toned furniture and decor, creates an illusion as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
Q2. What is the location and waiting information for Dotori Yongsan Branch?
A2. Dotori Yongsan Branch is located a 5-minute walk from Samgakji Station Exit 3. The address is 1st Floor, 25-6 Hangang-daero 52-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Waiting times can occur on weekends, so using the Catchtable app for reservations is recommended.
Q3. What is the signature menu item at Dotori Yongsan Branch, and what kinds of bread are available?
A3. The signature menu item at Dotori Yongsan Branch is homemade Greek yogurt. It can be enjoyed with various toppings, and there are also seasonal menu items using seasonal fruits. Bread varieties include acorn-shaped madeleines, salt bread (plain, Earl Grey, vanilla cream, truffle, basil pesto, etc.), fig cream cheese bread, and pumpkin cream cheese bread.
Q4. How is the interior space of Dotori Yongsan Branch structured?
A4. Dotori Yongsan Branch consists of a first floor, a second-floor attic, and an outdoor terrace. The first floor features large windows that let in plenty of sunlight and a bakery corner. The cozy second-floor attic is great for taking photos. The outdoor terrace is perfect for enjoying coffee on a nice day.
Q5. What menu items does the blog author recommend, and what is their intention to revisit?
A5. The blog author recommends the Organic Acai Yogurt Bowl, Honeycomb Five-Grain Latte, Peach Yogurt, Matcha Pistachio Madeleine, Chocolate Madeleine, and Chestnut Dotori Bread. Overall, it was a satisfying experience, and the author’s intention to revisit is 100%.