Jongno dessert café with baumkuchen and window seats: The Baum

I had something to do near Gyeongbokgung Station and stopped by The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch (더바움 경복궁점). The sweet dessert aroma drew me in, and I also wanted to try the window seats on the second floor that I could see from outside.

Where is The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch?

This café occupies the first and second floors at 13-2 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The hours listed in the original post are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Is it a good space to relax alone or chat?

The warm wood tones made the space feel comfortable overall. It was clean, and the tables were widely spaced, so it seemed good for conversation. I spent time there alone with coffee and dessert. Even though I visited on a weekday afternoon, the first floor was already full of customers.

Which baumkuchen can you choose from?

After finding a seat, I looked around the counter and display case. The Baum specializes in baumkuchen, including desserts shaped like cheese tarts and ones finished with different creams and designs. There were varieties I had never seen before, so I spent a lot of time looking over the choices.

There was a wide selection, including Plain Baum, Custard Baum, Watermelon Baumkuchen, Chocolat Baum, Eiffel Baum, Baked Baum, Brûlée Baum, and Pure Milk Baum. I ordered several kinds and chose an Americano to go with the sweet desserts.

How were the texture and sweetness of the baumkuchen?

When I cut into it with a fork, I could feel baumkuchen's signature soft, layered texture. It was sweet and nutty, and the sweetness was not overwhelming for my taste. I liked taking a bite of dessert followed by the slightly bitter Americano.

Could I pack up the remaining desserts?

I wanted to try several kinds, so I ended up ordering too much for one person. They packed up the desserts I had left. The packaging was neat and pretty, which made me think these desserts would also be nice to choose as a gift.

How were the second-floor window seats and group seating?

There were many seats on the second floor, and sunlight streamed brightly through the picture windows. It was a cozy place to rest while eating dessert, and I thought it would be nice to stop by during a date in Seochon or Gyeongbokgung.

I also saw many international customers. Some customers were in a meeting at the group tables, so I could not take photos. Seeing that, I thought nearby office workers might also find it a good place to take a short break or hold a simple meeting.

Soft music played while I was there, and the atmosphere was quiet. After taking care of something near Gyeongbokgung Station, it was a good place to take a break over coffee and a sweet dessert.