There are several Korean bakeries/ coffee shops not too far away. I drive past them frequently, and I always think about stopping in to see what they carry. This weekend, I finally made the time tp try out a couple, and I will definitely go back again. They are 100 times better than Starbucks!
First of all, the coffee is much better.
Secondly, the baked goods are little rolls and buns with interesting fillings and in cute shapes, like turtles and lady bugs. There are also varieties of breads, but the buns are eye-catching. They also offer uniquely Asian and Korean foods, like red bean buns and red bean bingsoo, which I tried for the first time. Bingsoo, is like an ice-cream sundae, but the bottom layer is shaved ice, red beans or fruit or other flavoring on top, then a tablespoon or two of cut up fruit chunks and marshmallows, and finally a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or sweetened soy milk. It's incredibly delicious, especially on a hot day!
Thirdly, the atmosphere is much more relaxed than Starbucks. Families stop in to get coffee or a treat on their way to or from music lessons. Men sit reading Korean newspapers while sipping cups of coffee. Family members of the baristas stop in to check and see how things are going. They feel like neighborhood places to sit and watch life go by, not just a place to get coffee. I intend to do my part to keep them in business.
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