Hanok café near Gyeongbokgung for mini watermelon baumkuchen: The Baum

I went on an outing near Gyeongbokgung Palace for the first time in a while. After strolling through the pretty hanok streets and soaking in the quiet scenery, I suddenly craved something sweet and a cold drink. So I headed to a dessert café that's really famous for its baumkuchen.

If you're serious about dessert, you may have already heard of this place! The Gyeongbokgung Station dessert spot I visited this time, 'The Baum,' had an interior that struck a beautiful balance between quiet tradition and modern sensibility right from the entrance. Enjoying proper dessert amid the hanok's characteristic warmth made it a place I'd definitely recommend as part of an outing.

What are the seats like at The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch? First floor to second-floor hanok ceiling

The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is split across the 1st and 2nd floors, so there's a wide range of seating to choose from. As soon as I stepped inside, I felt really at ease.

What especially caught my eye was the stylish hanok-style ceiling waiting on the 2nd floor. The old-world charm of the roof tiles and rafters was fully intact, and just looking up at the ceiling felt healing.

There are plenty of aesthetic cafés these days, but a dessert café near Gyeongbokgung Station with this much Korean atmosphere and warmth is rare, right? The interior is spacious and the tables are spaced comfortably apart, making it a great meeting spot with friends or a date near Gyeongbokgung Station.

What kind of brand is The Baum? A baumkuchen specialist

Did you know The Baum isn't just an ordinary bakery? The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch, known as a baumkuchen mecca, is apparently the only brand in Korea that handles its own manufacturing and development in-house!

THE BAUM pursues premium, authentic German-style baumkuchen, offering a diverse and special menu using carefully selected high-quality ingredients and technique.

Thanks to a deep, rich dessert flavor you can only taste here, it's apparently well known among dessert enthusiasts as a top spot near Gyeongbokgung.

What the tree rings in baumkuchen mean

Quick fact! Do you know what the layered ring pattern that's characteristic of baumkuchen means? Those layered tree rings are said to symbolize 'success, prosperity, celebration, health, and longevity'! Because of this deep meaning, it's often used as a 'gift of respect' to convey your heart to someone special.

Looking around the store, I noticed pre-orders were in full swing for an upscale Chuseok (Korean thanksgiving) gift set of baked goods. Pickup instructions for pre-orders are clearly laid out, so if you're looking to give a meaningful and delicious gift to someone dear during the holidays or a special occasion, this could be worth checking out!

The baumkuchen lineup at The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch: Eiffelbaum, mini watermelon baumkuchen, strawberry baum

Standing in front of the showcase, the happy dilemma begins. There are so many kinds, each with different sizes and unique characteristics, that picking according to your taste is genuinely fun.

This was the item that caught my eye after seeing someone at the next table enjoying it — the Eiffelbaum. It's a hard-type cake baked layer by layer with care, giving a texture that's sweet yet full and fills your mouth.

The mini watermelon baumkuchen grabs your attention with its visuals alone! Inside the cute watermelon-shaped baumkuchen are refreshing watermelon mousse and sweet chocolate chips dotted throughout, so you get to enjoy both the look and the taste.

The strawberry baum is a dessert where a crisply baked baumkuchen base harmonizes with tangy-sweet strawberry cream cheese.

Among the many menu items, the cool baum line, which features cold cream, stands out — it's served neatly on a pretty plate when ordered, so it's also great for aesthetic photos!

Do you have to order a drink? One drink per person and the iced americano

For reference, ordering one drink per person is required if you're using the café! Since the weather was quite hot, I ordered a cool, refreshing iced americano instead of a hot coffee.

A cold drink really is the best choice on a hot day!

A cup of bittersweet coffee near Gyeongbokgung Station that cools you down inside, paired with the sweet, nutty flavor of the dessert, was really lovely.

Taking a bite of the delicious cake and a sip of the americano, the heat melted away and it felt so pleasant melting in my mouth.

Why The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch fits a day out at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Atmosphere, taste, and a meaningful gift option all rolled into one — that's The Baum, the dessert spot near Gyeongbokgung Station!

Visiting in person, I naturally understood why everyone recommends this place when it comes to cafés near Gyeongbokgung Station.

It's great for chatting quietly under the peaceful hanok ceiling, and it's also a useful spot when looking for a meaningful, upscale dessert gift for a special day.

Next time I have plans near Gyeongbokgung Station, I'm going to tell my friends to meet here at The Baum.

If you're planning a date or outing near Gyeongbokgung Palace, I definitely recommend stopping by this place where you can taste baumkuchen dessert!