Myeongdong Souffle Pancake Prices: The Full Menu, ₩10,000 to ₩20,000
The Myeongdong souffle pancake stall sells seven items, from a plain souffle pancake at ₩10,000 up to the brown cheese cream version at ₩20,000. The price list is posted right on the front of the cart in both Korean and English, and you can order by pointing at the display models in the case. Cash, credit cards and Alipay are all accepted, and when you're done, the vendor will take your empty container off your hands.
What is the Myeongdong souffle pancake stall?
Walk down the main street in Myeongdong and you'll spot a cart with a white banner reading "명동 수플레 팬케이크 / Souffle Cake / 生クリームスフレケーキ" — the same name in Korean, English and Japanese, side by side. The banner also has illustrations of pancakes, strawberries and coffee.
On the right side of the cart hangs a neon sign shaped like a stack of pancakes with the words "Myeongdong Souffle Pancake" in English. In the photo, you can also see a SKECHERS storefront directly behind the stall.
The menu is broken into letters, A through G, and each Korean menu name has its English name and ingredient breakdown printed underneath. Because every item carries a letter, you never have to pronounce a Korean menu name to order. Getting your order across is not difficult here.
So what do the prices actually look like? Here are the numbers exactly as they appear on the board.
How much does a souffle pancake in Myeongdong cost?
The table below copies the price list posted on the front of the Myeongdong souffle pancake stall.
| Letter | Menu | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A | Cream Strawberry Souffle Pancake | ₩12,000 |
| B | Cream Blueberry Souffle Pancake | ₩17,000 |
| C | Nutella Strawberry Souffle Pancake | ₩12,000 |
| D | Nutella Blueberry Souffle Pancake | ₩17,000 |
| E | Brown Cheese Cream Souffle Pancake | ₩20,000 |
| F | Plain Souffle Pancake | ₩10,000 |
| G | Strawberry Fraisier Cupcake | ₩10,000 |
The cheapest item is F, the plain souffle pancake at ₩10,000. The most expensive is E, the brown cheese cream souffle pancake at ₩20,000. The strawberry versions, A and C, run ₩12,000, while the blueberry versions, B and D, run ₩17,000 — so with the same cream or Nutella base, the fruit alone accounts for a ₩5,000 gap.
Inside the case, the models sit in the same A-to-G order as the menu board, and each one has its name and price attached directly beneath it. You can compare the shapes side by side and see exactly what you're going to be handed.
Beyond the base items, there's a separate list of toppings you can add.
| Add-on | Extra charge |
|---|---|
| Add cream or Nutella | +₩2,000 |
| Add 3 strawberries | +₩2,000 |
| Add blueberries | +₩5,000 |
| Add brown cheese | +₩8,000 |
The surcharges are printed as numbers on the same board, so the price doesn't shift after the toppings go on. You can add it all up before you order. In other words, there's nothing here to get overcharged on.
Now that the prices are settled, you're probably wondering how it tastes. I bought one myself.
What does a souffle pancake taste like?
The souffle pancake is known as a Japanese-style dessert pancake. Egg whites are whipped into a meringue and folded into the batter before cooking, which is what gives it that airy, soft texture. Soufflé is French for "to rise" or "puff up."
The result is more than twice as thick as the pancakes most people picture, with a softness closer to castella sponge cake than to regular bread.
This was actually my first time eating one. I went with the cream blueberry souffle pancake at ₩17,000, since blueberries are what I usually reach for.
I wasn't sure what to expect, and it came out far softer than I'd imagined. The sweet cream and the blueberry juice mixed together in about the right proportion, and I found myself thinking I'd buy it again next time.
The texture was nothing like the pancakes I knew. If I'm allowed a bit of exaggeration, it felt almost like cotton candy — that light and that cushiony.
But watching the tourists who stopped in front of this cart, what they hesitated over most wasn't the taste. It was how to order.
How do you order a souffle pancake at a Myeongdong street stall?
You can order without a word of Korean. The models, plated in the same square disposable containers you'll receive, sit right at the front of the cart.
The woman in the photo was doing exactly that — pointing at the cream blueberry souffle pancake in the case. You can either say the letter, A through G, or just point at the model.
A disposable plastic fork comes with it, so there's no need to carry your own utensils.
Once the order is placed, payment is next. This is the point where I saw a few visitors pause.
Is it cash only, or do they take cards?
This stall accepts cash, credit cards and Alipay.
Watching people order beside me, something struck me. Several foreign customers were setting their cash down on top of the display case to pay.
In Korea, cash is passed directly from hand to hand. Making eye contact while you do it is part of the manners. It was a small window into how differently this works from country to country.
Payment done, there's one last thing to deal with: the empty container.
Where do you throw away the container and trash?
Because this is an outdoor cart, there's no seating attached to it. You eat standing there or while you walk. When you're finished, just tell the vendor and they'll dispose of the container and fork for you. No hunting down a public bin on the street.
That habit among the vendors is a big part of why the streets in Myeongdong stay as clean as they do. It's an established practice here and the vendors treat it as routine, so go ahead and ask.
Korea is a country that responds well to a smile. There's an old saying here that it's hard to be harsh with someone who greets you with a smile. If something awkward comes up while you're traveling, try leading with a smile and a greeting instead of bracing for a fight. It usually ends well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay by card at the Myeongdong souffle pancake stall?
Yes. This stall takes cash, credit cards and Alipay. If you're paying cash, hand it directly to the vendor rather than placing it on top of the display case — that's the Korean custom.
What is the cheapest item on the menu?
F, the plain souffle pancake, and G, the strawberry fraisier cupcake, are both ₩10,000. The most expensive is E, the brown cheese cream souffle pancake, at ₩20,000.
Can I order without speaking Korean?
Yes. Models of items A through G are displayed in the case, so you can simply point at the one you want. The menu board also prints the English name and ingredients under each Korean name.
Do I need to bring my own fork or spoon?
No. A disposable plastic fork is handed over with the order. The pancake comes in a square disposable container, so you can eat straight out of it.
Where do I put the empty container when I'm done?
Tell the vendor and they'll throw it away for you. It's a normal thing to ask at a Myeongdong street stall. This is part of why the streets here stay relatively clean.
Myeongdong street food: where to next?
If you started sweet with a souffle pancake, the savory side is a good place to head next. I'm working through the Myeongdong carts one at a time, documenting the price boards and how to order at each, so take a look at the other stall posts too. Which Myeongdong item are you curious about next?
