I love donuts, I love donuts so much, that I have on many occasions eaten a whole dozen. However here in Seoul, they have not really been all that popular and the only ones you can find are the KK and DD. However after years of yearning for a doughy sweet filled treat, my prayers have finally been answered and donuts have trended in Seoul. In the past few months there have been at least half a dozen donuts shops that have opened. First on my list to try was Butter Book in Haebangchon, I found that the donut itself was great, but the filling wasn’t quite right. So I decided to try the next place on my list, I Donut Care in Itaewon.
I Donut Care is a tiny little shop hidden away in myriad of alleyways. You might need to use the map below to find it, and even then you might miss the turning like we did which is opposite Oh Poutine. Once you arrive you will see the small seating area outside, and just one main room inside which has a counter full of donuts, and a couple of wooden tables.
For such a small space there was a really great selection, nine varieties that I could count. Since the take out boxes fit four, I thought would be the perfect amount to get. I have to confess that it was rather hard to narrow it down. It was like ‘Sophie’s Choice’, as they all looked so tasty.
In the end I decided to get the P.B & Jelly (4,600), Strawberry & Cream (4,300), Banana Nutella (4,600), and the Queen Mary (4,600). Quite honestly it is hard to even pick a favourite they were all so good. I shall start with the P.B & Jelly. If you removed the peanut butter, this would be the closest thing you could find to a British style jam donut in Korea. And while usually the thought of sullying my lovely jam with peanut butter seems unfathomable, in this instance it works. The donut itself was so good, freshly fried, golden brown on the outside with a soft doughy center. My second favourite was probably the Queen Mary (4,600), I’m all about a savoury treat, so this bad boy topped with fried chicken, japapenos, and chunks of potato was always going to take my interest. It was the perfect combo of sweet, salty and spicy.
The Strawberry and Cream (4,300), was filled with a light strawberry cream like some of the other donuts I’ve had at other stores, however they made this one a winner by coating it in a sweet strawberry glaze, meaning you haven’t been deprived of that sugar rush you should get when eating a donut. Lastly the Banana Nutella (4,600) was filled with a very banana-ey custard and topped with a nutella ganache. If you love banana it would be hard not to enjoy this. Honestly I loved them all and I would eat them all again but I’m also keen to try some of the other flavours.
Lastly we were asking about the flavour of the Mugwort (4,300) and the restaurant owner kindly offered to give us one on the house to share, I mean we did buy three boxes. Although I can recall having Mugwort in a variety of meals over the years, I couldn’t really remember the flavour, so was pleasantly surprised that it had a similar taste to green tea. Again there was flavour in the cream, and more sweet yumminess in the glaze which really rounds out the donut and makes it complex. I was so happy to have my sweet tooth finally satisfied by a proper sugary dessert.
Overall I thought I Donut Care was absolutely amazing. It is hands down the best donut I have had in Seoul, they have a great variety of flavours available and I was told they plan to launch many more in the future. Honestly they were all absolutely delicious so it just depends on your flavour preferences. If you enjoy donuts as much as I do, this place is not to be missed!
I Donut Care is located at 4 Itaewon-ro 20ga-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon Station and come out of exit 4. Turn back on yourself and turn right, then take the first right after that so you are walking parallel to the main street. Keep walking straight until you reach the CU then take the left turn just opposite. I Donut Care is located on another street to the left opposite Oh Poutine, though the sign is small so its easy to miss. For more information you can call them on 070-8882-3947 or check out their Instagram. They are open from Tuesday – Sunday from 12:30pm-8:00pm (or sold out).