The area around the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan has recently emerged as a K-pop hub, buzzing with the energy of new shops opening one after another. I had heard about a brunch spot called Baby Pumpkin that specializes in sandwiches and soups, so I decided to drop in for lunch.
Table of Contents
Finding Your Way: Location and Directions
Baby Pumpkin is located on the third floor of the building at 65-193 Hangang-ro 3-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. From either Yongsan or Sinyongsan Station, head towards the HYBE building. After passing the headquarters, turn into the alley on your left, and you’ll spot a building with a convenience store on the ground floor. A cafe named Carpet is on the second floor, with Baby Pumpkin situated right above it. It’s also near the famous tonkatsu restaurant, Bukcheon, making it fairly easy to locate.
The cafe operates from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM and is closed every Sunday.
Location Info
- Name: Baby Pumpkin
- Type: Brunch Cafe
- Known for: Sandwiches and soups near the HYBE headquarters.
- Address: 3F, 65-193 Hangang-ro 3-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
The Atmosphere
The cafe’s interior is small, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Although it shares the same footprint as the cafe downstairs, the kitchen occupies a large portion of the area, leaving the seating space feeling a bit cramped. Since I visited early, there were plenty of seats available.
What I Ordered: An Honest Review
To get a proper taste of what the cafe offered, I ordered two of their signature sandwiches and a soup. The total bill came to ₩39,000.
Corn Potato Soup (₩10,000)
The soup had a smooth texture and decent flavor. However, for ₩10,000, the portion was disappointingly small.
Mushroom Confit Toast (₩14,000)
The carrot rapée on the side was delicious, but the toast itself was drenched in so much sauce that it was hard to taste the other ingredients. Most notably, the bread—a crucial component—was unremarkable and didn’t complement the mushrooms and sauce particularly well.
Gogo Sandwich (₩15,000)
This sandwich featured a minced meat patty and cheese sauce. A touch of spice helped balance the flavors, but here again, the bread was the weak link. While it didn’t ruin the sandwich, it did nothing to elevate it.
Value for Money
Even considering the recent rise in dining costs and the prime Yongsan location, ₩39,000 felt steep for the quality of the food. I wouldn’t call the meal bad, but my companion felt the same way, and neither of us had any desire to return.
Post-Meal Coffee at ‘Carpet’ on the 2nd Floor
After our meal, we headed down to Cafe Carpet on the second floor for coffee and dessert. The coffee was quite good, and they offer a significant discount on takeout orders, which is a nice perk for local office workers and visitors. A satisfying latte and dessert helped salvage our brunch experience, ending our outing on a more pleasant note.
Final Thoughts
Baby Pumpkin offers a simple meal of sandwiches and soup in a cozy setting near the HYBE building. While the intimate atmosphere is a plus, the overpowering sauces, unremarkable bread, and small portions for the price were significant drawbacks. If you’re planning a visit to the Yongsan area, it’s an option to consider, but perhaps not a top priority.