Cafe Sum

About

Spacious brunch cafe near Soongsil University offering chef-made dishes like handmade hamburg salad, bakery treats, and an outdoor sunken terrace.

Tucked along Sangdo-ro between Soongsil University and Sangdo Stations, Cafe Soom defies the standard expectations of a basement cafe. Passing through the entrance, visitors are greeted by a surprisingly open, sunlit outdoor terrace furnished with colorful seating—a breezy pocket of shade well-suited for fine-weather dining. Inside, the space unfolds with warm wood tones, leafy potted plants, and ample elbow room, ranging from quiet spots for solo laptop work to large tables accommodating groups of six to eight. Unlike cafes that rely on prefabricated breakfast staples, Cafe Soom’s kitchen is steered by an owner-chef with an extensive background running izakayas and Italian restaurants. Every hot dish is made to order from scratch. The undisputed centerpiece of the menu is the handmade hambak salad (수제 함박 샐러드), featuring a thick, pan-seared hamburger steak paired with fresh dressed greens. It delivers the substance of a full bistro meal rather than a light cafe snack. To round out the savory fare, the counter displays a rotating spread of pastries, including crisp apple turnovers, mini apple crowns, and vanilla-chocolate twist pastries, alongside seasonal bingsu and trendy sweets like Dubai chocolate. The drinks menu stays grounded with clean, low-acidity iced Americanos that balance medium body with just enough depth to cut through the richness of the hambak steak. With two hours of free parking provided in the building and an unhurried, comfortable pace, Cafe Soom functions as an easy neighborhood sanctuary for university students, remote workers, and locals seeking an honest, chef-made daytime meal.