Ginger Bear Pie Shop

Ginger Bear is a cozy pie shop on a side street just off the end of the Seokchon Lake walking path, behind the Starbucks on the lake's east side. Cream walls, wood furniture, warm lighting and teddy bears dotted around give it the feel of a small European bakery. It is one of the few dessert spots in the area where you can also eat a proper meal: savory pies such as the classic meat pie, creamy chicken and mushroom, and potato sausage are served warm, and you can add mashed potatoes with gravy or a soup. The sweet side covers banana pudding, lemon meringue, pistachio, pecan and apple pies, plus seasonal specials like whole-fruit mochi and fruit bingsu that tend to sell out. Pick your pies at the counter, then grab a seat; most tables are for two. Bottled juices such as orange-carrot come with a glass, which photographs nicely next to the pies. The menu board is in English as well as Korean, which helps when ordering quickly.