Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hotels roll out winter strawberry afternoon tea experiences
The Red Atelier, a strawberry afternoon tea set, is displayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun. Courtesy of Courtyard Marriott Seoul Namdaemun
By Lee Hae-rin
This winter, Korea’s top hotels are offering strawberry afternoon tea for a limited time, turning the country’s iconic seasonal fruit into a lavish dessert experience for both locals and international visitors. These offerings reflect broader lifestyle trends, such as the
"seasonal core" and "buy-now-or-miss-it" movements, which emphasize enjoying ingredients at their peak freshness.
At Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, the premium bakery cafe The Twenty Two Namdaemun Bakery is offering its Red Atelier afternoon tea service featuring strawberries sourced from different regions around Korea. The set, which serves two for 90,000 won ($60) through late February, includes four strawberry desserts, welcome drinks and coffee as it highlights regional varieties such as Sancheong, Janghee and Geumsil strawberries.
JW Marriott Hotel Seoul’s The Lounge is offering a Berry-holic afternoon tea through March 30, pairing five strawberry desserts with five savory bites, including lobster canapes and deviled eggs. Guests can opt for tea and coffee selections or add a strawberry Bellini cocktail made with sparkling wine and strawberry puree.
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas' Strawberry Royal High Tea / Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas is offering its Strawberry Royal High Tea until March 31, featuring strawberry desserts alongside specialties like rose chamomile lamingtons, foie gras brioche tarts, mini burgers and caviar-topped lobster roulade. The two-person set is priced at 120,000 won.
Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong’s lobby lounge and bar L’Art Lumiere has introduced the Avec Amour afternoon tea, combining white winter aesthetics with French-inspired strawberry desserts and main dishes such as truffle gnocchi or premium gambas. Priced at 89,000 won for two and available through February next year, the set includes 12 desserts and savories, along with drinks such as strawberry champagne jelly and strawberry lattes.
A strawberry afternoon tea set is served at Courtyard Seoul Pangyo. Courtesy of Courtyard Seoul Pangyo
Outside central Seoul, DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo and Hotel Naru Seoul are all promoting strawberry-focused dessert sets that mix classic sweets like strawberry mousse, eclairs and tiramisu with light savory dishes and flexible drink options.
Resorts and high-rise properties, including Walkerhill Hotel & Resort, Oakwood Premier Incheon and Cassia Sokcho, are also joining the trend with themed sets that highlight panoramic river, city, or ocean views. Their menus feature multi-tiered stands of strawberry desserts served with pizzas, salads and seafood canapés, positioning winter strawberries as a standout item in Korea’s hotel dining scene this season.