Gwangju bakery café with forest views: Sum

I visited Sum (숨) in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi. It was a bakery café where I could choose from a range of breads and take a break while looking out at the nearby mountains and forest.

Can you see the mountains and forest from indoors?

Sunlight came in through the large windows, with green trees and mountains visible outside. The high ceilings and soft lighting kept the space from feeling closed in. There was plenty of room between tables, as well as seating on the second floor and terrace.

Trees and grass surrounded the terrace. On a nice day, it looked like a pleasant place to drink coffee outside and feel the season. The scenery was also visible through the large indoor windows, so I felt it was a good place to pause during a Namhansanseong drive or date.

What breads and drinks are available?

As soon as I entered, I noticed the nutty aroma of bread and looked around the bakery first. There was a wide selection, including salt bread, mammoth bread, yeontan bread, financiers, and pound cake. The pound cakes also came in flavors such as matcha and chocolate, making them fun to choose from.

The drink prices at the time of my visit were as follows. Beyond coffee, there were caffeine-free lattes, ades, jujube tea, and teas, so I thought there would be choices for a family visit. One drink per person was required.

• Americano ₩6,500
• Café latte ₩7,000
• Vanilla bean latte ₩8,000
• Fresh strawberry latte ₩8,500
• Bora Bora lemonade ₩8,500
• Mother's jujube tea ₩9,000

How were the breads and vanilla bean latte I tried?

I ordered a vanilla bean latte, an Americano, uri ssuk heukimja (mugwort black sesame bread), and yeontan bread. Both breads were generously filled.

The uri ssuk heukimja did not have an artificial mugwort aroma and was filled with nutty black sesame. The yeontan bread contained sweet red bean paste, whipped cream, and strawberry jam, which went well with the soybean powder on the outside. Its sweet filling and nutty exterior paired well with coffee.

The vanilla bean latte I had came with latte art. The sweet vanilla flavor blended well with the smooth latte. Its sweetness was subtle rather than overpowering, so it also went well with the bread.

Is parking easy if you visit by car?

The parking areas were divided between the front of the building and the side of the area across from it. They were open-lot-style spaces, so I found parking easy.

The building exterior felt neatly arranged in calm colors. A red ribbon decoration made me think of gift wrapping.

What are the location and hours?

The address is 108-11 Ojeon-gil, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The original post listed hours as 10:00–20:30 on weekdays and 10:00–21:30 on weekends. As closing times vary by season, check before visiting.