France Ange Dessert
'Creating French noble desserts in a serene hanok
that feels like a traditional ink painting.'
On weekends, the quiet alleyways of Jongno 3-ga
once a place where elders gathered to play chess or
where people came to buy beginner violins are
now bustling with well-dressed visitors,
leaving barely a space to step.
The elderly residents, who have lived here all their lives
and carry the traces of the past in their expressions,
can only smile warmly at these younger visitors,
who are barely a generation apart from their grandchildren.
This is Ikseon-dong, a neighborhood that has recently
become a popular photo spot on social media.
Its name combines ‘Ik’ from the village name Ik-dong
and ‘Seon’ from Jeongseon-bang, part of Hansungbu
since the early Joseon period. The area is said
to have existed as far back as the Goryeo dynasty
when it was known as Namgyeong.
Stepping into the quiet alleyways between hanok houses,
you’ll find cafes and restaurants that seem to defy time.
As you wander, phrases elegantly written in LED lights
among the trees and flowers catch your eye.
“Did you have dessert?” — this is FRANDI,
a dessert café whose name means
“French Angel Dessert.”
Upon entering, the interior and objects reveal a stylequite
different from the ornate expectations one might have had.
Reclaimed wood from hanok construction,
dried flowers, vintage wooden trays, and retro-style
Smeg toasters find their perfect spots, each seemingly
exactly where they belong. It’s this thoughtful placement
that allows the artistically crafted desserts, resembling
abstract marbling, to truly shine. A brilliant mise-en-scène.
Among all the spaces here, the most captivating is undoubtedly
the kitchen, where every dessert is carefully made.
Exposed concrete, a ceiling of reclaimed hanok wood,
Nordic-inspired kitchen tables, neatly organized chef tools,
and light streaming in through a single window
this is a space overflowing with inspiration.
Here, research and experimentation toward
the highest quality desserts never cease.
Every detail of the space reflects the care required
for desserts that demand significant time and dedication.
Within this environment, the pâtissiers work
with intense focus, using tweezers to carefully place
and refine each component, perfecting
every creation with precision.
The workwear worn at FRANDI harmonizes
beautifully with the space.
Depending on the concept, genre, or environment,
workwear can either stand out or blend seamlessly;
in this case, it belongs to the latter.
The chefs wear black-and-white canvas cotton aprons (AA1410),
a signature piece that complements the materials
of the space while conveying reliability.
Stylish chef jackets (AJ1450) and slightly
tilted berets add an artistic touch.
The café staff wear gray-tone denim aprons (AA1406)
paired with light gray, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant shirts (AS1842),
allowing them to blend effortlessly into the vintage setting.
This ensures that the focus remains on appreciating
the design of the desserts on display.