When I met up with Ale in Fort Lee, she suggested we go to Cheongsu, a Korean cafe she was convinced I would like. It didn’t take long to see that she was right. Cheongsu has everything you would hope for in a Korean cafe.
To get to the cafe, you walk along a small path lined with bamboo on both sides. Inside, the interior is minimalist yet stylish, with dark wood and muted colors. It’s simple, beautiful, and very well thought out.
We ordered the traditional Korean dessert set, which includes a pot of tea, making it feel like a Korean take on afternoon tea. The dessert set is served on a tray along with the tea, and a description of the different items written on small fabric strips. Ale had been to Cheongsu before but had never tried the dessert set, so we took our time, tasting our way through the little treats while talking about what we liked best.
Everything was very good with a nice balance between traditional flavors and more modern Korean touches. My favorite was the Five-flavor Berry Jelly, which has a lightly tart flavor that balances the sweetness beautifully. I was also very fond of the jeonggwa, the candied apple slices.
I would have liked to see a wider selection of tea. With such a refined setting and such delicate desserts, a few more options would have made sense. I believe there were only two to choose from. That said, Cheongsu is a really lovely cafe, and if you’re in Fort Lee and in the mood for something sweet, their afternoon tea is easy to recommend.
Cheongsu is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, just across the George Washington Bridge. Fort Lee is an excellent area for Korean food. Many Koreans live here, and the main street feels more like Korea than Koreatown in New York.
Cheongsu, 1644 Parker Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
