French-Style Flan: A Rising Star in Seoul's Dessert Scene

French-style flan, a custard tart with deep culinary roots in France, is making waves in Seoul’s vibrant dessert culture. Distinct from its smaller and sweeter Portuguese cousin, the egg tart, French flan features a denser, creamier custard and larger size, offering a rich dessert experience. The flan at Flan, a bakery in Sangsu-dong, emphasizes this distinction with its luxurious texture and delightful interplay of vanilla and cream, pairing perfectly with black tea or dessert wine.

A Prime Example of French Craftsmanship

The flan at Sangsu-dong’s Flan bakery is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship behind French patisserie. Handmade and infused with real vanilla beans, the tart is enveloped in crisp pastry made with Brittany butter, known for its superior flavor. Its elegant, understated packaging enhances its appeal as both a personal indulgence and a refined gift option. In a city saturated with innovative desserts, Flan bakery has carved a niche by exemplifying the timeless elegance of French dessert traditions.

Flan: France’s Beloved "National Snack"

My flan journey began at TAFFIN, a renowned French bakery in Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu. Recognized for its artisanal breads and pastries, TAFFIN has introduced Seoulites to a flan that captures the essence of France’s beloved "national snack." TAFFIN’s flan, baked in generous rounds and sliced into sizeable portions, differs from Portuguese egg tarts by foregoing the latter’s caramelized topping. Instead, it highlights a custard interior that’s chilled, silky, and intensely yellow, made from eggs and cream. This creates a delightful contrast with the crisp, flaky pastry base.

While the Portuguese egg tart traces its origin back to 19th-century Lisbon convents and features a sweeter, yolk-forward filling encased in cookie-like pastry, flan has a much older history, dating back to ancient Rome. Over centuries, the recipe evolved into a hallmark of French dessert making, celebrated for its luxurious simplicity and versatility.

Innovations from Award-Winning Bakers

Further enriching my appreciation for flan was a visit to Mille1, a French bakery launched by chef Seo Yong-sang, the winner of France’s prestigious Flan Competition. Located in the Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam until its recent closure, Mille1 brought an award-winning flair to Seoul. Its signature flan offered a lightly caramelized surface, a denser texture, and pronounced flavors. A standout on its menu was the black sesame flan—a savory iteration that added a creative twist to the classic dessert.

At Mille1, whole flans were initially sold before single slices were introduced, catering to a wider audience. While its premium pricing of 13,000 won per piece was a stark contrast to TAFFIN’s affordable 4,500 won flan slice, Mille1’s offerings highlighted the potential for flans to occupy a higher-end niche in Seoul’s dessert market.

Discovering Flan Bakery in Sangsu-Dong

The flan at Flan bakery in Sangsu-dong represents another evolution of this French classic. Tucked into a charming semi-basement space, the bakery exudes warmth and authenticity. The pâtissier, who trained in France, developed a flan that boasts the deepest caramelization I’ve encountered locally. With a firm custard texture balanced by an aromatic blend of Madagascar vanilla and pristine dairy, the dessert stands apart. Unique presentation—each piece individually boxed with a humidity-control packet—emphasizes the value placed on quality and freshness.

Measuring under 10 centimeters in diameter, Sangsu’s flan is smaller than other iterations like TAFFIN’s hefty slices but larger and more gratifying than traditional egg tarts. Priced at an accessible 4,100 won per piece (or around 10,000 won for a gift-ready box of four), it combines affordability with sophistication.

Flan’s Culinary Potential in Seoul

Despite its rising popularity, French flan remains relatively obscure in Seoul compared to desserts like macarons or Portuguese egg tarts. For many Koreans, the concept of flan invites curiosity; recipients of gifted flans often respond with questions like, “What is flan?” However, for well-traveled locals accustomed to egg tarts from Hong Kong or Macau, flan offers an intriguing, upscale alternative.

While Mille1’s closure hints at the challenges of mainstreaming flan in South Korea, Sangsu-dong’s Flan bakery continues to innovate. A recently introduced hazelnut-flavored flan exemplifies the potential for creative adaptations of the traditional recipe. Its nutty aroma and richness pair beautifully with teas like Earl Grey or English Breakfast, creating an elevated dessert experience.

Why Flan is Here to Stay

For Seoul’s dessert lovers, French flan represents more than just a fleeting trend. Its unique combination of elegance and simplicity appeals to those seeking indulgent yet refined treats. Pairing flan with dessert wine or a strong black tea offers a sensory experience that fosters mindfulness and presence in a fast-paced, modern world.

How to Visit Flan Bakery in Sangsu-Dong

If you’re eager to try Sangsu-dong’s flan, visit their shop located at:

• Address: 9-8, Wausan-ro 11-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Suite 102 (160 meters from Exit 1 of Sangsu Station, Line 6)
• Signature Item: Flan, 4,100 won

In Seoul’s dynamic culinary scene, French flan stands out as a symbol of excellence and artistry, offering a delicious way to savor life’s small moments of indulgence. Whether enjoyed alone or shared with loved ones, this exceptional dessert is worth seeking out, one slice at a time.