Café near Gyeongbokgung for cutting custard baum neatly: The Baum

Today I visited one of the best dessert spots near Gyeongbokgung Palace — The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch, which specializes in authentic German-style baumkuchen! Here's my review, from must-try menu items to the café atmosphere.

Where is The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch, and what is the café like inside?

The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is just a 3-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 2. Since it's a chain, there's also a Seoul Station branch.

Fitting for a dessert spot near Gyeongbokgung, the interior is done up in hanok (traditional Korean house) style.

The 2nd floor has group seating and takes reservations! There were a lot of older guests on the 1st floor too — probably drawn in by the calm, relaxed atmosphere.

The restroom is on the 1st floor!

Drinks and baumkuchen on the menu at The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch

Being a café, there was a wide range of coffee and drinks, but since we came for dessert, we ordered americanos~! ⚠️Oat milk and decaf options are also available.

You might think baumkuchen is just that cylinder-shaped dessert, but there were so many varieties here. On the right side, the menu was displayed too, which was fun to browse! The baumkuchen most of us know is the hard, dense kind baked in chewy layers!

The mountain-shaped dessert above is Eifelbaum, baked layer by layer for a rich texture and sweetness! I had the choco Eifelbaum and it became my favorite dessert!

It was surprising to see the cylinder-shaped plain baumkuchen also come in watermelon and melon flavors. There were also cute jar-shaped ones, which would make great gifts. I'll definitely come back here next time I need a gift near Gyeongbokgung.

The custard baum — the signature, number-one menu item at The Baum Gyeongbokgung — has a thin layer of brûlée on top.

There's also a baum topped with cream cheese, available in green tea/strawberry/chocolat/plain, known for its crispiness~

There are also desserts that blend in sweet treats like yanggaeng (sweet red bean jelly) and chocolate for a well-rounded flavor!

There's also a cake topped with delicious choux cream! Apparently baumkuchen symbolizes success, prosperity, celebration, health, and longevity, so it seems perfect for gifts or anniversaries, right?

Since so many people buy these as gifts, they clearly put a lot of care into the packaging too! If you're looking for a good spot near Gyeongbokgung to pick up a gift, why not get something wrapped at The Baum, a top dessert café near the palace?!

Tasting the three baumkuchen ordered at The Baum

• 2 americanos
• Custard baum
• Apple brûlée baum
• Choco Eifelbaum

We were given recycled straws! Wooden straws instead of paper ones, so there was no discomfort while drinking — actually, it showed the owner's eco-conscious sense.

Choco Eifelbaum: brownie-like and chewy

Like the hard baum baked in layers, you could clearly see the stacked layers of this dessert. When I cut into it with a fork, it was firmer and denser than I expected.

But the texture and flavor were like eating a really rich, chewy brownie. It got chewier the more I chewed, and I honestly wanted to keep eating it!

How to cut the custard baum neatly

The bestselling custard baum comes in a not-too-heavy size, so it seems like plenty for one person to finish alone.

When you crack the sugar coating on top and cut it, you can see the layered baum and the choux cream inside! That choux cream vanilla bean, though...!!

⚠️Tip: if you tap the top with a fork or knife, it'll shatter in every direction, so instead try cutting straight down through it in one motion with a knife!

Apple brûlée baum with vanilla bean cream

The brûlée baum is bigger than the custard baum, and comes in several varieties, so I went with the apple brûlée!

The inside of the brûlée baum is packed with choux cream! Vanilla bean overload here too, ugh... this place is seriously a choux cream champion.

The apple bits mixed in were such a perfect match... if you like the texture of apple pie, there's no reason not to eat this.

The choux cream felt relatively less sweet than the crème brûlée on top (naturally), but eating the mellow baum together with the choux cream and cracked sugar coating made for the ultimate dessert....

Who should visit The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch?

If you're looking for something a bit more special than the usual desserts you find around Gyeongbokgung, I recommend The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch! Since baumkuchen is said to symbolize success, prosperity, celebration, health, and longevity, it also seems like a good gift for a special day or for someone you're grateful to. Personally, the choco Eifelbaum was my favorite — rich and chewy, like a brownie, so I'd recommend it if you love chocolate desserts!

• Anyone looking for something different in the dessert scene near Gyeongbokgung
• Anyone who wants to try many different kinds of baumkuchen
• Anyone looking for a spacious, relaxed café with a hanok feel
• Anyone who wants a comfortable café to visit with older family members
• Anyone searching for gift-worthy desserts near Gyeongbokgung
• Anyone looking for pretty desserts that pack well as gifts

The café spans two floors and feels spacious with a calm vibe, so it's great to visit with friends but also comfortable to stop by with your parents. If you're near Gyeongbokgung looking for dessert and a gift spot at once, The Baum is worth a visit :)