Donuts wouldn't be the first one that pops into locals' heads when they think of desserts. Options are abundant from cloudy tiramisus to fresh cream cake with aromatic fruits on top. In the core of the ultra-competitive industry of satisfying sweet tooths in Korea sits Old Ferry Donut, competing only with specialty donuts of various flavours and textures. What's their winning strategy from serving donuts only? We headed over to find the answers ourselves. 

Old Ferry Donut | Information

• Address: 서울특별시 용산구 한남동 한남대로27길 66 2F
• Hours: 10:00-22:00, Closed on Tuesdays

Old Ferry Donut | Review

We arrived at the place at around 4pm in the afternoon. To our surprise, the place was packed to the fullest indoor and outdoor. The first floor had little blue tables and chairs lined up throughout (which were all occupied), and there were two small outdoor seatings and indoor seatings upstairs. We couldn't walk straight in, we had to wait outside for a couple of minutes until two chairs at the large communal table became available.

Instagram @ oldferrydonut

We sat down and looked around - a very comfortable wooden interior and a not-very-comfortable noise level. The noise aside, we decided to try out their famous donuts. There were lots of colourful flavours displayed at the counter including matcha, peanut butter, tiramisu, creme brulee, coconut, raspberry and apple cinnamon. We decided to get two donuts, tiramisu and peanut butter, as well as a cup of the tube latte and one of vanilla rooibos Kusumi tea (5,800KRW).

We sat down after placing our order. In a few minutes, the server brought us the donuts and drinks on a wooden tray. My eyes were instantly fixated on the tube latte! The mini donut floating over the latte perfectly resembled a tube floating around a swimming pool.

Tube Latte 6,500KRW

Fish out the tube as fast as you can, devour the donut and the coffee separately. Take a bite and take a sip. The slightly dry but spongey texture of the donut goes down smoothly with a sip or two of the semi-sweet latte. Flavour-wise, it wasn't anything special but the visual was enough to enjoy the experience.

Peanut Butter Donut 5,000KRW

This donut embeds a load of peanut butter inside while the exterior is covered with a generous amount of peanut bits and peanut butter filling poured over. We both loved this donut because it was packed with peanut butter flavours. My friend said it reminded him of Reese's for a second too.

Tiramisu 4,500KRW

The donut is covered with a layer of cafe glaze and then topped off with cocoa powder covering less than half of the donut. Inside the donut, you'll find cloudy mascarpone cream giving the donut a soft touch to the texture. This donut doesn't necessarily taste like tiramisu, but still delicious enough to try out.

All the tables and chairs are round-shaped, as to resemble a donut shape. Old Ferry Donut's indoor area, although not big, has utilized each corner and maximized the number of seatings well. In corners, you'll also see their merchandise hanging. If you're really fond of this place or just want a souvenir to commemorate this place, their merch is worth checking out too.

Old Ferry Donut | Directions

• 2-minute walk from Hangangjin Station exit 3

From exit 3 of Hangangjin Station, turn right. You'll see a long set of stairs, walk down the stairs until you reach the bottom.

From there, turn right on the second street on the right (turn right at the beige building in the photo below).

Walk about 50m and you'll see Old Ferry Donut on your left.

That wraps it for my review of Old Ferry Donut in Itaewon. If you have more questions or comments, please leave them down below and we'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

Until next time!