Dessert café in Jongno, Seoul: The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch

When looking for a dessert café to stop by with my parents before or after a visit to Gyeongbokgung, I think of The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch (더바움 경복궁점). This time, I ordered three kinds of baumkuchen and an iced Americano. Beyond the desserts, I was also impressed by the space, where it seemed possible to have an unhurried conversation on the second floor.

How do you get there from Gyeongbokgung Station, and is parking available?

It is a 134 m walk from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3. The address is 13-2 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the café occupies the first and second floors of the building. There is no on-site parking, so visitors arriving by car need to find a nearby public parking lot.

The hours listed when the original post was written were 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, with no break time.

Which seats are good for talking with parents?

The café was spread generously over two floors. To me, the first floor felt better suited to guests eating and leaving right away, while the second floor seemed like a space for longer conversations. The second-floor window seats also looked nice for sitting with parents and looking out at the view.

Group visits and Wi-Fi are available. There are separate restrooms for men and women, and vegan menu options were also listed.

How much were the desserts and coffee I ordered?

That day, I ordered an iced Americano, Chocolat Baum, Mini Baum Plain, and Brûlée Apple Baum. These were the prices when I ordered.

• Iced Americano: ₩5,000
• Chocolat Baum: ₩4,000
• Mini Baum Plain: ₩4,500
• Brûlée Apple Baum: ₩7,800

What other menu items caught my eye?

The Watermelon Baumkuchen caught my eye. It cost ₩29,800 and was described as watermelon-shaped baumkuchen paired with watermelon mousse and chocolate chips. I did not order it that day, but I thought it could be a nice gift.

Beyond coffee, there were options including watermelon juice, watermelon smoothie, Melona smoothie, Grapefruit Rose Bloom, Green Tangerine Rose Island, and Bergamot Rose Garden. I also noticed the Dubai Pistachio Soft.

How were the baumkuchen and coffee I tried?

Baumkuchen is a dessert baked one layer at a time. This time, I enjoyed options ranging from one with apple and cream to a chocolate flavor, alongside coffee.

What does the Brûlée Apple Baum taste like?

The Brûlée Apple Baum had soft cream and apple inside its thick layers of cake. The apple felt generous, so I could enjoy both sweetness and freshness. It was a flavor I would want to recommend to my parents as well.

Does Chocolat Baum go well with coffee?

Chocolat Baum had a rich chocolate flavor while still feeling clean. Eaten with coffee, the flavor felt deeper, making it a good pairing.

What was the iced Americano like?

The iced Americano was nutty with a clean finish. It was a hot day and I wanted cold coffee, and I enjoyed drinking it with the desserts until the end.

It would suit an outing where you stop by Gyeongbokgung, rest over dessert, or spend time at the café before taking a slow walk toward Gwanghwamun. If you are looking for a place to talk with your parents, it may be worth checking out the second floor.