BESFREN
“I thought this store was called Ginseng & Cafe and I was looking to buy some ginseng candy as a gift item for a friend.”
“The green tea flavor isn't as pronounced in this cake, but it's still very delicious though sweeter than the roll cakes.”
“I've tried both the Milk and Salted Caramel flavors and they were good, but the Jasmine Green Tea flavor was by far my favorite.”
BESFREN
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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Super cute little pastry shop in Koreatown. They sell some really delicious-looking desserts, including a loaded chocolate chip cookie that was just out of this world! We sat in their tiny little seating area, looking out the window at the busy street and enjoying our treats. We got chocolate all over our fingers (it's a messy dessert!) but it was worth it.
A less popular item we tried was their Olive Oil & Basil truffle. It sounded fascinating and unique but turned out to be just boring and bland, not much of any kind of taste to it. So, my advice would be to stick with the cookies (although the cakes looked amazing, too…if you try the cake let me know how it is!)
This place is phenomenal. I had no idea it was sitting at the corner of 5th Ave right in the middle of the mayhem and had so much to offer. I work across the street and with the Empire State Building traffic often avoid leaving the office during the day. This place is worth it.
They have an incredible selection of cakes, pastries and cookies. The green tea cake is out of this world and something I feel like I would have had while in Japan, not in the middle of NYC. I also loved their Ginseng Green Tea which is delicious and a great pick me up. Haven't tried the chocolate chip cookie yet but it's next on my list.
They have good seating so if you want to treat it like a cafe you are welcome to. Staff are very friendly.
I loved how they sell beauty products on site as well. I have a million of those Korean face masks from when a friend visited Korea and they are phenomenal. Granted the ones BESFREN sells are way more expensive but still reasonable and quality stuff.
Only had a chocolate chip here and it was super chocolate-y.
Plenty of other dessert and coffee/tea options.
Holy cow!! Ginger lattes????? I love ginger. The flavor on this drink was incredibly strong and flavorful. I wish they had these in California!
The experience was smooth. Walked into the store to pick up a finger latte and paid something around $4.50. It's close to the cost of Sbux anyway with incredible tasting choice and they have a rewards but 10 get one free stamp.
Loveee!
3.5/5
EDIT:
Anything with sugar makes everything better… AMIRITE?
Now that I think about it, I wasn't particularly blown away by the mini-desserts here. They were cute, but pricey, and tasted so-so, but that's just about it. The only thing that I was really blown away with is by the Choco Berry Drink. Hot Chocolate with strawberry flavor that doesn't taste artificial?! Yes pls. This is literally the liquified version of a Chocolate-covered Strawberry. This drink will warm you up faster than hot chocolate itself in the winter! On the other hand, I heard that the cookies here are really good, so maybe I'll give that a shot next time.
Super cute little spot! I had the pink grapefruit yuja tea – bit on the sweet side, but otherwise delicious. One of my friends had the chia cooler which was CRAZY COOL (hence the name?). I will have to get that next time. My other friend had the taro teappuccino – funniest name ever, super purple, not very showy as it was given to her in a to-go cup with a lid, but tasty. This place is a quiet little hidden gem and I'll have to come back to try the gelato and desserts and drinks etc. etc.!
Very small cafe/ginseng related items store.
Located in the corner, there is great natural lighting. There are maybe 4 short tables and a lot of chairs that are good for sitting and chatting. They also have some benches outside.
I got the iced ginseng latte with soy milk (came out to about $5.50). You can taste the ginseng after, but the flavor was a little light overall. My friends got other drinks (like the iced coffee and their new summer items) and they all enjoyed it.
They also have an assortment of bakery items and ice cream from both ice and vice and il laboratorio del gelato.
Wouldn't come for studying, but it's a great place to grab a drink and sit for a while.
Ginseng and ginseng ginger lattes were good. Not too sweet, really flavorful. Also had the green tea chiffon cake with ice cream and a macaroon on top. The cake was pretty good although everything else on it was kind of mediocre, not worth the 7 bucks. However, after 7pm their pastries are half off and they're amazing: muffins, croissants and the like.