Cheongsu, a cafe-style Korean restaurant, has opened its doors to diners and coffee drinkers at 144 Parker Avenue in Fort Lee. With nature, Zen, and deep Korean tradition in mind, the Seoul-based team at Glow Seoul designed the new space and menu to offer patrons an exceptional meal in a serene and harmonious setting. This is the second U.S entry for the food, beverage and entertainment design firm, who opened wellness restaurant, Oncheon in NYC’s Koreatown in November 2024.
The name Cheongsu means “clear water” in Korean and embodies the flow, calm, and purity the Glow Soul team hopes customers will find once they step off the street. Inspired by the tranquil Seoul neighborhood of Ikseon-Dong, the 2-story cafe is decorated with wooden lattice walls, centerpieces of volcanic stone, and rich greenery all suffused with ambient light and delicate shadows.
Focusing on brunch, afternoon tea, coffee, desserts, and light bites in the evening, the menu captures a strong sense of modern flair that is deeply rooted in Korean tradition. Brunch includes a fresh, inviting assortment of sandwiches and tartines, several delicious varieties of French toast, and rotating soup of the day offerings.
The dessert selection is captivating with an array of signature soufflés, several Korean cheesecakes, seasonal pies, Korean shaved ice (bingsoo), madeleines, financiers and yakgwa, a traditional honey cookie. The afternoon tea offers a curated selection of desserts and small plates. In the evening, Cheongsu is BYOB-friendly and serves shareable dishes and light bites.
Cheongsu puts a special emphasis on coffee. Enthusiasts will find traditional espresso drinks including Americanos, macchiatos and lattes. For the more adventurous, they offer créme brûlée coffee and matcha lattes, as well as cream coffee in white and black. Devotees will love the Brazilian and Ethiopian stone drip coffees. The house specialty is the Cheongsu Milk Latte in nostalgic Korean flavors. There will be matcha, teas, and sparkling ades and cinnamon punch (sujeonggwa) for the non-coffee crowd.
“Our mission with Cheongsu is to offer more than just a café experience—it’s an immersive retreat into slow living, inspired by Korean culture and natural beauty,” said HyoSun Yoon, Head Patissier at Glow Seoul. “The design, menu, and atmosphere are carefully curated to create a sanctuary where guests can pause, breathe, and reconnect with their surroundings.”
