If you’re in the mood for something sweet I’ve found the perfect place. Chateau Chocolate may be in Itaewon, but it’s far away from the usual roving crowds. This quaint little cafe sits further down the main road that stretches from the Hamilton Hotel down into Bongwon Dong. You won’t be able to miss the sky blue exterior with scarlet lettering and white overhang. It’s a burst of color along an otherwise drab street.
Inside it’s like a fairytale come alive. A virtual treasure trove of odds and ends decorate the walls and shelves. Rag dolls, Nutcracker soldiers, stuffed teddy bears, and floppy eared rabbits vie for space with toy boats, children books, rainbow ceramics, nautical candles, and every knick knack imaginable. It’s Willy Wonka gone wild as if your sweet aunt from back home (you know the one who’s slightly off center, wears a lot of floral prints with kooky socks and tends to be a bit of a hoarder) came to Korea and opened up a Chocolate shop cause she wanted something sweet. She may have a glint of madness in the eyes but it’s a Mad Hatter glee that’s intense but harmless. Walking in chateau Chocolate you’ll either sit and fondly remember about your favorite childhood toy or you’ll flee screaming before you suffocate the depths of sugary sentiment.
I chose to reminesce.
If you do decide to stay you’re in for a true treat. The proprietor has most of her chocolate delivered from the chocolate museum in Jeju. The rest she makes herself. I suggest sampling her own chocolate confections. The pieces of cinnamon and vanilla chocolate danced upon my tongue. The highlight, however, proved to be the hot chocolate. You have the choice between a bevy of beverages including the vanilla and cinnamon Mocha Creole, the chili and cinnamon Aztec, the liquor flavored Mint hot chocolate. And those are just a few of the options. Each drink comes in 7 or 9 ounces and are priced between 4,000 and 6,000 KRW.
Of course you can also buy milk, white, or dark chocolate by the piece or box. It’s definitely worth the trip to Itaewon for just the hot chocolate. But if that’s too far then check out the website for the four other locations.
Prices:
1,500 for pieces all the way to over 30,000 for box sets.
Hours:
Mon to Sat 9:30 to 21:30
Sun 11 to 18:00
Phone:
02-798-3171
Website:
Directions:
From exit 3 of Itaewon station walk to the corner. With the Hamilton Hotel at your back walk straight heading away from the Hamilton. You’ll pass Taco Bell. Keep heading straight for about four minutes until you come to Chateau Chocolate on your left.
