Just south of the Han River is Dangsan, an area filled with apartments and franchises. Not far from the train station you can find a derelict looking building with an address plastered in bright orange across a stairwell doorway.
If you follow the stairs to the second floor you will find yourself at a small café named Sonydo. The café is a small space, reminiscent of old office buildings found in places like Jongro, the old heart of Seoul.
The floor was dull polished concrete, the type that had rocks showing through and was separated into large squares. The wall and ceiling were all painted white, with a thick black strip of skirting following the bottom of the wall. Though the building itself seemed some what unchanged from what it was 15 years ago, little additions added here and there meant the space was perfectly decorated in a minimalist style.
Mid-century style cabinetry and lights served practical and design purposes. While posters, plants and a beautiful wall tapestry were other main design elements that added colour to the space.
The tables and chairs, and most of the cabinetry were a chestnut stained wood, this added a nice warmth to the space. Some of the windows were covered in custom cut-outs made of same wood, that gave the space's lighting another layer. However, the centre piece of the café was the main counter, a beautiful curved structure also made of the same chestnut wood.
The first time I had been to this café was in wintertime a few years ago. While the interior had changed a little, and the season was the opposite, the atmosphere was still the same. Both great for working and socializing, the space was calm and relaxing, opposite to the streets just outside.
The drinks were also the same as they were the first time I came here. I got an iced milk tea and my friend got an iced americano. We also shared a cheese cake. My friend said that the coffee was very nice. It had a nice balanced flavour that was suitable for all tastes. The milk tea was also lovely. It had a bold tea flavour with nice sweetness and smooth texture.
But the best item hands down was the cheesecake. The texture was creamy and light. The texture was incredibly smooth, while the taste was of a high-quality vanilla. Even my friend, not a cheesecake fan, couldn’t stop eating.
Sonydo is like a reprieve. In dead beat terms a calming and well decorated café, the space offers a break from the bustling consumerism just outside it’s door. If you’re in the area, stop by and don’t forget to try the cheesecake, nothing like the plastic kind you can get elsewhere.
Comentarios