Book club café near Simhaksan in Paju with a plant zone: Brick Rouge

This is my second visit to Brick Rouge (브릭루즈), a brunch café in Paju. Near Simhaksan mountain, I went from plant-zone brunch to floor seating for families, and to the fourth floor and rooftop where I wanted to hold a book club.

When you go back to a place you've been before, you look around a bit more leisurely. Brick Rouge was like that for me. The first time, the huge size caught my eye; this time I kept thinking, "Who would be nice to sit here with?"

It was my second visit, but my companion's first. Watching them be amazed by the size reminded me of my own first time. And once again, I was drawn to the seats with greenery.

Brick Rouge location, hours and parking

Brick Rouge is at 143 Jimok-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, and is open daily from 09:00 to 21:45. Last food order is at 20:30 and last café order at 21:00, and there is a private parking lot.

• Address | 143 Jimok-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Hours | Daily 09:00–21:45
• Last food order | 20:30
• Last café order | 21:00
• Parking | Private parking lot available

How is Brick Rouge laid out? The fun of choosing where to sit

Brick Rouge has four floors, with a central staircase and elevator dividing the space into two sides. We parked in the large lot behind the building and entered through the front door. After a fairly long corridor, the ordering area is on the right. On the left are an open kitchen where you pick up your food, and tables.

The second and third floors have the same structure, but the left and right sides have different concepts, which I found interesting. You can eat in most of the spaces, so it's fun to hunt for the seat that suits your taste. I think the spot you'd want to stay in would change depending on who you come with.

2nd-floor plant zone: brunch beside greenery and autumn sunlight

The second floor of Brick Rouge has a plant zone with a small fountain and foliage plants, and we sat at a table close to it. With the small fountain in the middle and exotic leafy plants all around, my eyes kept going to the thriving pothos (skindapsus).

Since I grow plants myself, I always take a second look when I see a healthy one out in the world. Sitting with greenery so close, my eyes felt clearer and my heart felt fresh.

Autumn sunlight poured in deeply through the wide windows on both sides. Eating brunch together, we could share the bright, cheerful mood that natural light brings. That day I was glad we chose this seat.

On the right side of the second floor there was also a space you enter by crossing a wooden bridge. The mood was different even on the same floor, and this side was also a nice place to linger over tea and a meal.

Brick Rouge brunch menu: smoked salmon eggs Benedict I'd order again

At Brick Rouge we ordered the French toast brunch and the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. For drinks, I chose an iced Americano and a lemonade.

The poached egg on top of the smoked salmon eggs Benedict especially caught my eye. When it came time to eat it, I wasn't quite sure how to go about it. It was a dish where the eating process felt a little clumsy for me.

But after finishing, I thought, "I should pick this again next time." The urge to eat it again stayed with me more than the initial confusion.

3rd-floor floor seating: a space for babies and families

On the third floor of Brick Rouge, there is floor seating in an open space with no walls, divided like a wooden maru (traditional raised floor). There's even a spot where you can lay a young baby down, so it looked good for families who come with a baby.

I thought it would also suit a daytime outing with a baby, or grandparents meeting their grandchildren. As I looked around, I could naturally picture the families who would sit there.

Across from it is an outdoor area under a large awning. On a nice day, it would be lovely to enjoy tea and brunch in the fresh air.

A good café for a book club in Paju? Brick Rouge's 4th floor and rooftop

What stayed with me most at Brick Rouge personally was the fourth-floor meeting space. It was quiet and cozy, and with seating separated from the dining area, it looked great for focusing on a group's conversation.

We could hold our book club here.

That was the thought that came to me right away as I looked at the space. The atmosphere suited reading a book, talking about the lines that stayed with you, and slowly sharing different thoughts. I'd recommend it as a venue for a book club or small gathering.

The same floor also has a rooftop. I liked being able to step outside after sitting indoors and look out at the open view.

I got curious what it would look like when an autumn sunset settles over it. It seems like a place where you could keep the view you shared as a memory, like a single painting. I'd love to come back in the evening as the sun sets.

Thinking about the next get-together

I went to Brick Rouge in Paju for a meal and came home already thinking about the venue for our next meetup. Time with family and conversations with friends both seem to fit a seat somewhere here.

Next time, I'd like to sit on the fourth floor with a book in hand. If I have brunch, I think I'll choose the smoked salmon eggs Benedict again.