The Buoy

The Buoy is a Korean cafe and dessert shop in Hayes Valley, San Francisco that specializes in rice flour pastries. It all started with the owner’s curiosity on why there aren’t many rice flour desserts in the US, something like the Korean rice cake that she grew up eating a lot. Her curiosity eventually led her to go to Korea and learned all about rice flour pastries and baking techniques. She then started her baking journey in her own kitchen, creating and making desserts for friends and family who then encouraged her to sell them because they were so good. 

And so in the summer of 2024, The Buoy was born. Their dessert and drinks menu revolve around rice flour and Korean flavors (black sesame, mugwort, and injeolmi flavors to be exact) which certainly pretty unique and unusual in San Francisco’s cafe scene. Their moist, chewy and fluffy roll cakes become one of their best sellers and they also offer a variety of baked goods in their dessert lineup. In one interview, Esther Kim—the owner of Buoy—talked about the health benefits of rice flour desserts such as how easy they are to digest and they are naturally gluten-free. On top of making a lot of their ingredients in house—including the syrup, toasted coconuts and toasted black sesame—they also created their own unique recipes that are followed down to a T. Not only striving to serve delicious desserts, they also wish that everybody who comes to The Buoy feels happy, uplifted and welcomed. 

The cafe itself is pretty spacious, with three different seating areas to choose from—the regular tables, the tables with couches by the window and the bar seatings. There are more or less 40 seatings around the space, ranging from 2-person tables to 4-person tables.

I visited this place with my sister during one of our outings in San Francisco. She was actually the one who told me about the place and asked if I want to try it. I said the place looks interesting (and I saw the Black Sesame Latte and Ssuk Latte on the menu which I'm immediately sold on) so we went. We got there around 2:30 pm on a Saturday and the place was pretty full. But lucky for us, there was people leaving right when we got there so we immediately got a table and head to the counter to place our order. 

Later I found out, the person who took our order was the owner herself, Esther. We got to talking a little bit and she was super nice and friendly. She also gave us recommendations on which menu to order and we took her word for it and tried them. Here are what we ordered:

☕ Black Sesame Latte ($6) | 9/10

A very well-made Black Sesame Latte (and I’m a sucker for all things black sesame so super happy with this find). Not too sweet and comforting. Will definitely order again next time.

🍹 Raspberry Omija Soda ($6) | 9/10

Raspberry Cream, Omija

Very refreshing drink. The cream on top was delicious—not too thick and sweet—and complimented the raspberry soda really well. Could probably have that cream with any other drinks if I’m being honest

🥪 Umami Kimchi Panini ($16.5) | 9.5/10

Spicy Kimchi, Sweet Potato Mousse, Bacon, Corn Cheese, Herb Aioli, Salad/Chips

This is the panini that Esther recommended and I can see why she’s proud of this menu. This was our first time having a Kimchi Panini and we both agreed it was really good. Bursts of Korean flavors in every bite and super flavorful. It was very well executed, delicious and the portion was pretty generous too. Although maybe worth mentioning, it was a tad spicy for me who can’t really eat spicy food (that kimchi really had a pretty spicy kick for me) but it was fine for my sister who can.

By the time we finished our Kimchi Panini, we were fully stuffed which was a shame because honestly, I really wanted to try their Black Sesame Brownie. But maybe that’s just a sign for me to go back again next time. If you’re looking for a dessert cafe in San Francisco/Hayes Valley area with unique Korean flavors, this place is definitely worth trying. 

 

The Buoy

Address: 22 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: +14154169409
Hours: Everyday 11am-3pm

Instagram: @thebuoysf
Website: The Buoy

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House of Vinyl Mangwon • 하우스오브바이닐 망원점

House of Vinyl Mangwon (하우스오브바이닐 망원점)—just as the name suggests—is a vinyl cafe located in Mangwon (망원동) neighborhood in Seoul. The cafe occupies a house-like building with interior set up just like a cozy vintage living room, making coming here feel like visiting a friend’s home. In the main area of the cafe, there’s a record player, sound system speakers and a shelf between the speakers with their current nine picks of vinyl records on display. Next to and above the window that lets in natural light into the space, there are more vinyls that are stored neatly as a part of their in-house collection. 

What makes this cafe unique is on top of the fact that you can listen to LP records that are playing on rotation, guest can also request one song per person to play during their visit (although this is subject to availability and if they don’t have the requested song on their LP collections, they’ll play the digital format for you).

There are about 18 seats that are spread around different corners of the cafe, with almost all of them are for 2-person party. And since the place is not too big, they do impose a 1.5 hours usage time and a 1-person-1-drink-order rule for visiting patrons. For the menu, they serve coffee, non-coffee drinks, tea and a selection of desserts including a pretty uncommon option, the Pavlovas. Due to the pretty loud music playing inside the cafe, noise level at this place is pretty high. While it’s not too busy during the weekdays (at least when I was visiting), the cafe can get busy during the weekends with people lining up to get a seat inside the space. 

With the significant rise in popularity of vinyls these past past couple of years, House of Vinyl Mangwon (하우스오브바이닐 망원점) definitely has its own appeal and charm to LP as well as music and coffee enthusiasts and makes it a unique spot to visit in Seoul. 

 

House of Vinyl Mangwon • 하우스오브바이닐 망원점

Address: 서울 마포구 희우정로16길 23 1층
Telephone: 0507-1321-9546
Hours: Everyday 11:00 - 22:00

Instagram: @houseofvinyl_mangwon

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3F Lobby Seoul

Walking into 3F Lobby is like walking into the reception area of a small independent architect’s studio. The only difference is the said reception area has been transformed into a cafe where people can walk in, get a cup of coffee (or milk tea in my case) and hang around the space for a bit, even if you’re not a client of the architect.

Located on the third floor of an unassuming walk-up in Yongsan neighborhood (용산구), the cafe’s concept is clearly stated by the tagline printed under the logo on their signage—‘hand drip coffee brewed by architects’. The idea is simple, straightforward and a very good use of the space that they have considering that the architects only use one corner of the room for their private working studio. The rest of the modest space is furnished with minimal modern unique furnitures that give visitors both a collaborative atmosphere where you can discuss your ideas with your table mates as well as a private intimate mood if you want to be left alone with your thoughts. 

Earl Grey Milk Tea (얼그레이 밀크티) ₩6,800 | 8.5/10

I ordered their Earl Grey Milk Tea and was surprised that it was served with an ice ball. I thought that was a nice touch to the presentation of the drink. The milk tea was good and not too sweet. The ratio of the milk and tea was just how I like it. They also give a cube of brownie on the side with the drink which was a nice surprise. 

Other than coffee, non-coffee drinks, tea, and desserts, they also serve Whiskey and Highball on the menu. Since the place is a bit small, it can get a tad noisy when all the tables are fully occupied. I also have an inkling that this place might be busy on the weekends seeing that there are chairs lined up in front of the cafe for people who are waiting for a table (I went on a weekday so it wasn’t a full house. But considering it’s a weekday, the place was pretty packed). But all and all, this was a cool space to check out if you’re looking for a cafe to hang out at around Yongsan area.

 

3F Lobby

Address: 서울 용산구 한강대로15길 19-19 3층
Telephone: 070-8865-1919
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 12:00-22:20 | Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays

Instagram: @3f_lobby

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UKI Matcha ECO8 Puri

After the opening of their flagship store in SCBD Park last March, UKI Matcha has established themselves as one of the best matcha bars in Jakarta. Just shy a year after the success of their first location, they have now opened the second location of UKI Matcha at ECO8 Puri. Although the store still carry the same aesthetics from its sister location, the selections of ceremonial matcha powders are different from the ones offered at the SCBD location. They also have a couple of menus that are exclusive to this location, giving patrons different experiences when visiting their stores.

Tried a couple of different things from their menu and overall they’re all pretty good, but here are some of my favorites (and I believe all these menus are only available at this location):

🍵 Pistachio Matcha (Tenka 104k / Asagiri 134k) | 9.5/10 

Tenka/Asagiri Matcha, Milk, Pistachio Foam, Crushed Pistachio

Their Pistachio Matcha is so good! Both matcha options are good but I prefer the Asagiri Matcha because it tasted nuttier than the Tenka Matcha that has a more bitter profile. This drink is super creamy and nutty and I love the Pistachio foam that’s sweet and salty at the same time. The crushed pistachio also gave a fun texture contrast to the drink. Ordered with normal sugar and it’s not sweet at all (all their matcha drinks are really not too sweet in general). If you’re a pistachio fan, definitely give this drink a try. Even if you’re not a pistachio fan like me (I’m kinda mid with pistachio flavored stuff) but you like a creamier drink I think you’d enjoy this one. 

🍵 Mango Matcha (65k) | 8/10

Tenka Matcha, Milk, Real Mango Coulis

I honestly don’t know how you’re suppose to drink this one but in the beginning, I tried to sipped the drink as is with all the layers still stacked on top of each other. Depending on which part of the drink I sipped it from, it resulted in a variety of different flavors. First time, the end of my straw was on the bottom of the glass so the first flavor that I got was just the Mango Coulis which was a bit too sweet for me. Then I mixed the matcha and the milk together and tried sipping it from slightly above the Mango Coulis and on that sip I only tasted the matcha flavor with a teeny tiny hint of mango flavor. In the end, I did mix the whole thing together and it tasted more balanced. This drink’s slightly on the sweeter side (sweeter than the Pistachio Matcha) but the combination of mango and matcha actually works.

🍡 Warabi Mochi (65k / Whole Box 160k) | 10/10

Warabi Mochi, Tenka Matcha Honey

Hands down THE BEST Warabi Mochi I’ve had in Jakarta so far. The texture of this mochi reminded me of the ones I had in Japan. They really nailed it. The more bitter matcha honey also balanced out the sweetness of the mochi. Honestly, I can probably eat one whole portion of this alone without the honey cause the mochi is already that good.

My first visit to the ECO8 location was during their opening week and the place was packed. There was never-ending long lines at the counter of people who came in to get their matcha fix for dine-in as well as for to-go. The long queue seems to be still going on during the weekends too these days judging by the Instagram stories they uploaded. So be prepared to wait for tables or for your orders if you’re planning to visit on the weekends. The second time I went was during a weekday around lunch time. This time, the place wasn’t too packed and the atmosphere’s actually pretty enjoyable. So if you want to avoid the crowd, visiting on a weekday is probably your best bet. If you’re looking for a great matcha bar in Meruya/Puri/West Jakarta area, definitely check this place out.

 

UKI Matcha ECO8 Puri

Address: Jl. Taman Aries No.8, Meruya Utara, Kec. Kembangan, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11620, Indonesia
Telephone: +6287765588229
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 - 20:00 | Closed on Mondays

Instagram: @ukimatcha.id

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Rain Report Croissant • 레인리포트 크루아상

Following the success of their first flagship store in Gyeongnidan (경리당길), Rain Report opened their second location in Seongsu-dong (성수동), an up and coming neighborhood in Seoul that’s has been rising in popularity among the locals as well as tourists these past couple of years. Keeping the same rain-themed concept, Rain Report Croissant (레인리포트 크루아상) gives patrons similar experience they would find at the flagship location but with a slightly different menu selections. Instead offering the same baked goods and cakes that are available at their other location, here you’ll find an array of delicious croissants in all shapes, flavors and colors just like the name of this cafe suggest.

Apart from the croissants, everything else is pretty much what you would find if you’ve visited the other Rain Report location—a cool cafe with impressive interior and branding that offers a variety of good coffee, drinks, and pastries accompanied by the ambience of a rainy day. The place could get busy, but the ample seatings spread through out the two-story building it’s occupying will most likely accommodate visiting patrons who would like to dine-in at this cafe.

I forgot to write down the name of this croissant but it’s essentially a chocolate croissant. Flaky on the outside, buttery soft on the inside and overall it’s not too sweet. An 8.5 out of 10 from me. 

I’ve been to this location a couple of times now and after trying a couple of their croissants, my verdict is their croissants are actually pretty good. The fact that they provide toasters in the cafe to warm up/reheat your order might have something to do with it because it allows you to enjoy your pastries while it’s warm. Another thing that I really appreciate is that they provide scissors for you to use to cut your pastries. Very convenient if you don’t want to make a mess or when you’re sharing your orders with your companions. 

Chocolate (쇼콜라테) ₩7,800 | 8/10

Ordered their chocolate latte (without the coffee) and I actually quite enjoyed this drink. The chocolate drink itself isn’t too sweet but the chocolate shavings topping was a tad on the sweeter side for my personal preference. But still, it’s not too overly sweet. Also, I tried dipping the croissant into the chocolate drink and it was actually pretty perfect. Would definitely do that again next time.

Wind ₩9,800 | 8/10

Citrus, Herbal, Grapefruit, Sweet

This was my friend’s order and she said it’s actually light and pretty good. 

Recent Update:
According to the announcement on their Instagram, as of 17 February 2025, this location is temporarily closed for renovation. In the meantime, you can visit their flagship location at Rainreport Gyeongnidan (레인리포트 경리단) to get their croissants.

 

Rain Report Croissant • 레인리포트 크루아상

Address: 서울특별시 성동구 성수이로16길 32 주3 1,2층
Telephone: 0507-1373-1322
Hours: Everyday 11:00-22:00 (Last Order 21:00)

Instagram: @rainreport_official

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