Osulloc Tea House (오설록)
Bukchon Hanok Village is a fascinating mixture of the past meeting the present. Traditional homes beautifully line up the streets adjacent to shops selling modern cosmetics, art, and clothing. It is the epitome of South Korean culture where the present is ever-inspired by traditional values.
Osulloc Tea House is no different. Founded in 1979 on Jeju Island, Osulloc is one of Korea’s top artisan tea brands. It has won several major tea competitions all over Asia and the rest of the world, specializing in organic green teas farmed on Jeju’s volcanic soil. While several Osulloc stores exist in Korea, the two most unique locations are the Osulloc Tea Museum on Jeju Island and the Osulloc Tea House in Seoul, which is what this review will focus on.
Nestled next to Sulwhasoo’s beautiful hanok-style skincare boutique, Osulloc Tea House is a retreat from the busy streets of tourists and pedestrians. Walking up the steps, you are transported to a lush and serene garden combined in harmony with modern architectural features. A stone pagoda sits quietly in a corner, inviting the guest to quietly contemplate the beautiful exterior.
The inside is gorgeous as well. Boasting modern design elements and showcasing various tea products, the first floor is like if an Apple store and a luxury tea brand had a brainchild. The staff is incredibly friendly, offering guests samples and directing them to the ordering area upstairs on the second floor.
As Koreans tend to like unique cafes such as 943 King's Cross, Osulloc is no different. While we stopped by for a quick refreshment in the neighborhood in the early evening, many guests were also enjoying the tea and food. However, seating was not a worry as spots opened up frequently throughout the tea house.
We decided to sit on the third floor in a mini white stone room with benches. While there is also a speakeasy-style bar on the third floor, we were not able to check it out due to time constraints. The balcony seating areas (pictured above) are also highly recommended if you want a view of the city and the garden below.
We ordered the Sejak Green Tea, which is presented neatly on a platter with a chilled glass and a complimentary pine nut cake. The Sejak tea is a young green tea with a light taste and it is also the winner of various international tea competitions, including the World Green Tea Contest in Shizuoka, Japan. The overall taste is delicate, but carries prominent notes of roasted green tea in the base. Referring to the tasting card provided by the staff (pictured below), it has an aftertaste of nuts and a slight floral touch, which finishes it beautifully on the palate. In addition, the chilled method of presentation also helps to accentuate the roasted flavors without it being too bitter.
The pine nut cake is a sticky and flaky pastry that pairs exceptionally well with the tea. It is both sweet and deeply nutty, with hints of earthiness. It falls apart in your mouth and is delicious on its own as well.
We left highly impressed with the Osulloc Tea House. While we were worried that a cafe that focuses too much on its exterior looks may have lacking menu options, this thankfully was not the case. The tea is carefully handcrafted and delicious and it lives up to the hype of the Osulloc name and legacy in Korea. Whether you’re a tea aficionado or just wanting a quick break from walking, Osulloc Tea House is a delight to the senses and the tongue.
