Forest-view bakery café in Gwangju, Gyeonggi: Sum

Where is Sum near Namhansanseong?

Sum (숨) is a large bakery café near the agricultural direct-sales market in Ojeon-ri, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi. After driving along Namhansanseong-ro and entering a quiet village forest road, I found two exposed-concrete buildings among dense woods.

The buildings are surrounded by mountains and forest, with a tended garden as well. It felt like a brief break from the city. The original post lists hours as daily from 10:00 to 21:30; there is a free large parking lot, and valet parking is available.

How can you relax in the garden and annex?

Between the two buildings were a terraced garden and terrace. Hydrangeas, garden trees, and wildflowers came together here, though the flower colors had faded a little in the late summer. The scene carried the feeling of summer's end.

The annex was a quiet space for listening to music or watching films while looking at the forest outside. Since it did not really have tables, I found myself focusing on the music playing and the mountain foothills. I was told the detached building can also be privately rented.

Can you see the forest well from the indoor seats?

Inside, the mountains and forest spread out broadly through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Hydrangeas and wildflowers were visible outside too, making the view feel like a framed picture. The green forest was the focus when I visited, and I wondered what it would look like once the leaves turned.

The monotone interior contrasted with the greenery outside, drawing my eye even more to the forest. There was also generous space between tables, so the view did not feel cramped.

The outdoor terrace on the first floor was simply arranged as well. There were a few red leaves around, but I did not visit for autumn foliage. I thought it would be nice to sit outside and take in the season once the heat eases.

The second floor also felt very open because of its floor-to-ceiling windows. From upstairs, the mountains seemed closer, and I felt as though I had gone deep into them.

Was the rooftop comfortable for a long stay?

Outside the second-floor terrace, stairs led up to the rooftop. Its glass railing left little to block the view, so I could look broadly across the mountains. However, there was no shade, so I could not sit there for long.

What breads and drinks did I have?

The bakery had a broad range, from savory breads that could serve as a meal to sweet desserts and cookies. Mother's jujube tea also stood out among the drinks, though I did not try it this time.

I stopped by after lunch and ordered an iced Americano, a Jeju matcha latte, a cheese brioche, and a vanilla cornet.

The vanilla cornet had plenty of soft vanilla cream inside layers of crisp pastry. The sweetness was not excessive for my taste, so it went well with coffee.

The cheese brioche had layers of cheese between buttery bread. Its soft, moist texture was joined by the rich taste of cheddar cheese.

The Jeju matcha latte had a strong matcha flavor. Its green color also suited the lush forest outside the window.

Was it good for reading or laptop work?

Although it is a large, two-story café, it did not feel noisy or echoey while I was there. It was also good for quietly reading or working on a laptop. The broad windows and spacious table layout made it easy to rest while looking at the forest, and I would like to return when the seasons change.