Gwangsan roastery for office beans and machine care: Gabi Roasting

Why did the writer visit Gabi Roasting?

The writer wanted one place to handle replacing the office pantry coffee machine, supplying beans and maintaining the old machine, and found Gabi Roasting on Eodeung-daero in Gwangsan, Gwangju. Spoiler up front: the pantry machine and beans at the writer's company will soon be switched over entirely to Gabi Roasting.

Do you also grab pantry coffee out of habit the moment you get to work every morning? My company uses a fairly old bean-to-cup machine. I drink a lot of it and I'm the one who maintains it, so I thought, maybe time for a new machine?! So I started combing through Gwangsan cafés for one that could handle bean supply, a new machine and upkeep of the old one.

I didn't want a place that's just good-looking or atmospheric. I desperately needed a real expert who would take responsibility for the taste, the essence of coffee, and for the machine's condition too. (Maintaining it myself is sooo hard, sob.) After a few days of legwork, the gem I found was Gabi Roasting on Eodeung-daero.

What is the atmosphere at Gabi Roasting like?

Gabi Roasting is on the 3rd floor of the building at 410 Eodeung-daero, and the smell of roasting beans fills the shop as soon as you step in. Heading up to the 3rd floor with excited anticipation, I was first greeted by a confident poster reading "We brew you the best cup of coffee." The moment I opened the door, the rich, nutty aroma of roasting beans hit my nose and I found myself taking a deep breath.

The deep coffee scent filling the space already made me feel relaxed.

What does Gabi Roasting do besides serve coffee?

Gabi Roasting is a roastery that has been in business since 2016, handling wholesale and retail beans and cold brew, café startup consulting, barista classes, and coffee machine sales and repair. A proud black roasting machine sat at the back, and the chalkboard menu on the wall showed right away that this Gwangsan café has been operating since 2016, so it clearly has deep experience.

Gabi Roasting goes well beyond a simple café: wholesale and retail beans and cold brew are a given, plus startup consulting, barista training and, most importantly for me, machine sales and repair. It's a real coffee factory covering everything from A to Z.

No hand drip, but I saw a repair in action

The day I visited, the owner of Gabi Roasting was busy with an outside coffee machine repair, so I didn't get to try hand-drip coffee. Since I was there, I really wanted a fragrant hand-drip cup made carefully by an expert, and honestly I was a bit flustered. The owner was moving around with no time to spare.

But the disappointment didn't last. Watching the owner skillfully handle complicated machine parts up close, I secretly cheered inside: 'Yes, I found the right person!' Anyone who has run a café or an office will relate intensely: the moment the coffee machine stops, the day's work or business is over.

What does the 'Gabi Solution' machine care service do?

Gabi Solution is Gabi Roasting's own total care service, maintaining equipment from machine overhaul (full disassembly and cleaning) to descaling. They look after equipment with thorough, strict standards.

I found it especially reassuring that they systematically check water filter replacement and consumable cycles, the things shop owners most easily overlook. I also liked the clear sign-up process, where care starts right after a one-on-one consultation and a signed contract, and the transparently disclosed care cost structure. With a place this professional and honest, I felt 100% confident entrusting our office pantry to them.

Beans stories on the wall and startup consulting at Gabi Roasting

The walls of Gabi Roasting are packed with photos from visits to coffee farms in Africa. While the owner finished the repair, I looked around the shop. One wall was crammed with photos of him handling green beans on African farms and laughing with locals, and a monitor even played a video of coffee seedlings being planted with muddy hands. Seeing with my own eyes the passion of flying to the other side of the world just to get good green beans, my heart swelled.

I was also impressed that they don't just say pleasant things: with tax manuals and net-margin calculations essential to real operation, and a cheeky ironic slogan, 'the most irresponsible consulting', they give hard-hitting, realistic advice. It felt like the warm heart of a senior worried about first-time founders.

How were the recommended 'Coffee Review Man (CRN)' beans at the office?

Brewed in the company's old machine, the 'Coffee Review Man (CRN)' beans recommended by the Gabi Roasting owner left a rich nutty taste and a clean sweetness. Sadly the expert's drip coffee had to wait for next time, but I came home hugging a bag of beans the owner confidently recommended after finishing the repair.

As soon as I got to the office I tore open the package in anticipation, and the sweet, bittersweet scent of freshly roasted beans instantly filled the pantry. I put the beans into the old machine and pulled a shot, and with one sip my chest opened up! The rich nutty flavor filling my mouth and the lingering clean sweetness were truly art.

What are the conditions for a free office coffee machine rental?

Gabi Roasting reportedly rents an office coffee machine for free if you sign a contract for a set amount of beans each month. So, so happy about that ♡

If you're secretly stressed by an old, breakdown-prone coffee machine, or your current supplier's beans aren't what they used to be and you're looking for a high-quality Gwangsan café, don't hesitate to knock on Gabi Roasting's door.

Overwhelming knowledge of machine repair and the deep flavor of beans carefully managed from the farm should solve your long-running worries all at once and completely. I hope your space also fills with pleasant coffee aroma every day!