Liam & Noah’s by Cre8Cookies: Seoul’s Most Unexpected Sandwich Shop

My favorite cookie cafe in Seoul just turned into my favorite lunch spot.

Cre8Cookies has been serving up the best homemade cookies in Seoul since 2016, and I should know because that’s how long I’ve been eating there. And while built they’ve built a reputation on deliciously oversized cookies, brownies, and American-style baked goodness, recently, they decided to take a step back, rebrand, and expand before reopening in a big new way.

Liam & Noah’s by Cre8Cookies is all the non-Korean food that the husband and wife duo love to make at home on a menu for us mere mortals to enjoy. That includes deli-style sandwiches, soups, pastas and salads along with the cookies that made the cafe as successful as it was. As if that weren’t enough, absolutely everything is made from scratch. I’m talking homegrown vegetables, freshly baked bread, meats prepared in-house and homemade ice cream.

We tried a little bit of everything and honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a long while. There aren’t any wrong choices, but one of the standouts was the fresh pasta. It was meaty, flavorful, the noodles were cooked to perfection and the sauce wasn’t watered down (a common problem in Korea). To be honest, it tasted like lasagna which might be best compliment I can think of.

On the sandwich side, the ham and cheese sandwich was packed with thick layers of flavorful ham. Like ham that could stand on its own, but with the benefit of melted cheese and dijon mustard between two crispy slices of focaccia it was ridiculous. That could’ve been enough, but our eyes are bigger than our stomachs and we went for the carnitas sandwich stuffed with mouthwatering braised pulled pork, fresh onion, tomato and cilantro. It tasted more like a taco than any actual taco I’ve had in Korea. Period.

We also tried the soup of the day, farmhouse pickle platter, salmon gravlax and a bacon steak plate with cauliflower puree that basically washes over you like an unapologetic sea of perfectly seasoned bliss. The bacon steak in particular comes with a butter knife which cuts clean through it because it’s ridiculously tender. Chef’s kiss.

And if you don’t mind a bit of booze with your meal, the sangria compliments everything perfectly. The weather was fine when I went, but I could imagine sipping on it while enjoying the summer heat on the terrace.

We were full, but of course, we wanted cookies. Their sea salt chocolate chip cookie is my favorite because of the warm, rich and gooey chocolate with perfectly crisp cookie edges. We got a bag full to take home and share with friends. Once you try them, trust me you’ll understand.

If I had to sum the food up, the phrase “가정식” comes to mind, a homecooked meal. And that feeling really comes together with the cottage-core concept that feels feels warm and welcoming, like eating at someone’s house. There are cozy corners to retreat to, nooks and crannies filled with trinkets, antiques and little personal items from the owners’ travels. There are even little baskets of legos, crayons and children’s books tucked away for any tiny humans to help themselves to. Did I mention the pet-friendly patio seating for furbabies and pet parents?

Liam & Noah’s is one of those places that truly feels like little hidden gem compared to Seoul’s viral hotspots. In a city filled with highly curated cafe experiences, there’s something refreshing about a place that’s focused on making a genuine home cooked meal experience. For international visitors, it can feel surprisingly nostalgic. For Korean foodies, it’s a chance to experience a different style of comfort food. Either way, you won’t want to miss out.

• 📍Liam & Noah’s (Naver Map, Google Maps)