Hey everyone, Mark here! For those who don’t know this little place yet, let me introduce you to Sangroksu. A gem in Haeundae that's not just another coffee spot. Owned by Paul and his sisters Mia and Erin, this cafe will be your new favorite hangout for its cozy feel and awesome coffee. They've recently added a bakery section that's got everyone talking, and of course, we had to go check it out.
Paul goes to the same gym as me, and when we ran into each other one morning he told me about Sangroksu's new bakery section. Known for their fantastic coffee, the idea of them baking fresh goodies daily was just too tempting.
I will get to our review of the baked goods we tried in a moment, but first I wanted you guys to get to know Sangroksu a bit better. So I decided to conduct an interview! Say hello to Paul, the big brother, with his sisters Mia in the middle and Erin, the youngest.
What inspired you and your sisters to start Sangroksu?
"We've always wanted to run our own place since I started in hospitality. It’s been a dream to create the best cafe out there. When I was working as a barista, I noticed places with good bread often skimped on the coffee, and the ones with great coffee didn't have the best bread. So, we thought, why not do both really well?"
Can you share a little about the history of Sangroksu and what the name means?
"Sangroksu translates to 'Evergreen' in Korean. We picked this name wanting to bring the same kind of ongoing, lively energy you get from evergreen trees to our cafe and to everyone who comes in."
How has your experience been, running a cafe with your family members?
"It’s a blessing that we all love different things. I'm all about coffee, Mia is the baker among us, and Erin is the creative genius with her design skills. Sure, we bump heads sometimes, but mostly, it’s great and we feel really lucky to work together."
What led to the decision to expand Sangroksu by adding a bakery section?
"We used to serve brunch and desserts, but it felt like Mia wasn't really shining as much as she could. After a trip to Japan, which was super inspiring, we decided to play to her strengths and focus on a bakery section, dropping the other stuff."
Can you tell us about the types of baked goods you offer? Are there any specialties or must-try items?
"Choosing favorites is hard because I genuinely love it all. But if you ask me, our 'Campagne' bread is a standout – crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, perfect for both sweet and savory toppings. Right now, I'm all about the prosciutto and sweet pumpkin."
How do you think the new bakery section enhances the overall experience at Sangroksu?
"I always felt like something was missing before, but with the bakery, it’s like all the pieces have fallen into place. We’re now really rocking the full experience – cozy vibes, top-notch coffee, killer bread, and the friendliest team."
Considering your diverse clientele, especially expats, how do you cater to different tastes and dietary preferences?
"We make sure there’s something for everyone. Our menu has options like Eggplant & Mushroom, and Blueberry Cream Cheese for the vegetarians. And if you’re into alternative milk, we’ve got oat milk ready for your coffee!"
How does Sangroksu engage with the local community?
"We make a point to say hi to our neighbors every day and run a points system where you earn credits every time you buy something—it’s a small thank you for sticking with us. We also try to participate in certain events. A few weeks ago we had a cupping session in collaboration with TellMeBusan (www.tellmebusan.com). It was done in English, so it attracted a lot of expats!"
Do you source any ingredients locally or have any community partnerships?
"All our single-origin coffee comes from a roastery in Busan. We try to keep our ingredients local too. We also give back by donating 1% of our earnings to the Green Fund to help protect the environment."
How would you describe the atmosphere of Sangroksu?
"It’s vibrant, bright, cozy, and super friendly. We make it easy to chat up our staff and feel at home."
What do you want customers to feel when they visit your cafe and the new bakery?
"I see myself as a 'memory maker.' I hope every visit feels new and exciting, and when you leave, I want you to already be planning your next visit back."
What are some of the challenges you've faced with this new expansion?
"The biggest challenge was getting the new interior done during our off days—we were pretty wiped. And now, with more plants to care for, we need to stay on top of that to keep the place looking fresh."
What plans do you have for Sangroksu? Any upcoming events or further expansions?
"Once we’ve got things smoothly running here in Haeundae, we’re thinking of opening another spot in Gwanganri. Different vibe, a different menu, but the same Sangroksu soul. And down the road? It’s my dream to eventually have branches in Melbourne and New York!"
What is your favorite item from the bakery, and why?
“Turns out, a hot or iced latte pairs perfectly with just about anything from our bakery, so I’d recommend grabbing a latte with your bread. And if you’re up for something new and exciting, give our signature drink, 'Orange is the New Black,' a try. It’s an orange-cream coffee that’s light, juicy, and has a nice citric kick to it. It’s honestly one of my favorite coffees
I’m also currently obsessed with the prosciutto and sweet pumpkin. The prosciutto takes me back to my days in Spain—it's a fresh, classic combo that just elevates the bread. And the sweet pumpkin? It’s something unique that you won't find just anywhere."
As an entrepreneur, what advice would you give to someone looking to start a cafe or bakery?
"Here’s my take: you’ve got to be passionate. Like, being ready to put in long hours and dedicate yourself. Be patient with everyone—your team, your customers, yourself. And stay objective; always aim high and keep pushing to be better. If you’re not proud enough of your place to show it off to the president, figure out what needs to change."
Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?
"It’s been tough at times, but I couldn’t have done it without Mia and Erin. Remember, making money is important, but the people in your life—family, friends, coworkers—those relationships are what matter. Love them as much as you love what you do."
I couldn’t agree more with Paul. Relationships will always be more valuable than money. For now, let’s get back to my relationship with food. Sven and I indulged ourselves fully in the bakery section.
Sven went for a fruity iced Americano, with hints of strawberry, wine, and chocolate. He paired it with a prosciutto-brie cheese sandwich AND a grilled chicken-bacon sandwich. (Don’t judge us, we were starving)
I also went for the grilled chicken-bacon sandwich, however since I was curious about their vegetarian option I also tried their eggplant-mushroom combo! I already had enough caffeine for the day, so I picked their Omija Tea(오미자차) as my drink. Super refreshing and delicious!
The sandwiches were amazing. I miss good quality European-style bread, and this scratched my itch. I decided I wanted more, so back to the bakery section I went. I picked up a Jambon-Beurre sandwich, which satisfied me completely.
Sangroksu just keeps getting better. The new bakery has upped their game. It’s still the warm, welcoming place we all love, but now you get the delicious bonus of smelling fresh bread the moment you walk in. Paul, Mia, and Erin know how to make a place feel special. Anyone looking for a cozy spot to chill or a tasty treat, this is the place to be.
Hope to see you soon, at Sangroksu!
Naver Link: https://naver.me/GjG3ZoJk
Disclaimer: Just to let you know, this isn’t a sponsored post. The team at YourKorea.life paid for our own treats at Sangroksu. Everything written here is based on our honest opinions and experiences. We just really love sharing our finds with you!
