Café-Hopping Discoveries: Pastries & Nails, Anyone?

By Yousra Feriel Drioua

Besides self-checkout at 24-hour convenience stores, self-serve cafés, self-serve eateries, and self-serve gas stations, apparently, “self-nail” shops are also in!

Up first, and right behind Dormitory 8’s gate at CNU, lies a little jewel to be uncovered: SomSom Coffee (솜솜 커피). This café is a fusion of a coffee shop and a nail shop, and if you think that is adorable, it gets better; you do your nails yourself! The entrance is entirely made of see-through glass, which made my studying session there quite refreshing. I took the twoperson seat right behind the nail station, which starts off with a table by the doorway that has nail stickers, nail polish, buffers, gels, oils, and all the supplies you will need. There are even photos of previous clients’ nail creations hung on the wall if you run out of inspiration. Beside it is what I presumed to be a UV or LED light machine, which stood next to the largest range of nail polishes I have ever seen so close. Gel, matte, metallic, or holographic nail polish: If you could name it, I am pretty sure they had it.

Care for a slow day in Gwangju? We have got a two-spot itinerary just for you!

This time around, our review segment ended up in a chain of uniquely themed cafés around the campus of Chonnam National University (CNU). Korea is surely famous for its “self ” service concept, where you are responsible for doing whatever would have required the assistance of a clerk about a few years ago, and it has reached an extensive amount of ventures.

Additionally, you do not have to worry about the café getting overcrowded, as there is a spacious area in the back to relax, and doing your nails is not a prerequisite for you to enjoy your visit. Their menu has a variety of pastries and desserts, along with caffeinated and noncaffeinated drinks. Speaking of the latter, and as I was the only early bird that morning, the owner was brewing new “potions” and kindly offered me to try a possible new signature drink called something along the lines of “tomato mojito.” I may not recall the name, but the taste lingers in my mind with freshness thanks to the mint, sweetness, and tanginess of the cherry tomatoes.

If you find yourself in need of a tasty beverage, freshly baked goods, or simply to get your nails done, SomSom Coffee (솜솜 커피) is calling your name! There are helpful instructions on how to use the material, and you can join the bandwagon by taking a photo of your nail creation to be hung on the wall.

Up next is a joint called Café Dunn & Dunn Edwards Paints (카페던 & 던에드워드페인트). I was genuinely surprised with this one, as it is a café with a home improvement concept! Considering that Korea is a trendsetter when it comes to uniquely themed cafés, but with most of them centering around Seoul or tourist areas, this was quite a rare find. The place’s architecture is that of a gallery. It is made up of two stories, the top one serving as a balcony overlooking the first floor.

The gallery consists of a spacious seating plan, a display cabinet with a wide range of paint, and a counter with an array of delights and desserts. However, their signature sweet is most definitely the financier, in my opinion. After taking a look around, I took a seat upstairs, and just in time to procrastinate doing my assignments, the bell rang for me to pick up this gorgeous delight and their signature lotus Einspänner. The sourness from the citrus and the sweetness of the blueberry clashed as the earthiness of the lotus and the bitterness of the coffee washed over. It looks rich and most definitely tastes like it!

For those moving to Gwangju, looking to go over some home renovations, or simply seeking a fun activity, I have kept this insider tip for last: The café does not only sell Dunn & Edwards Paints, but they also conduct DIY painting classes occasionally! You can find out related details on their Instagram page below.

These are my mini Gwangju café-hopping discoveries for the time being, and I will catch you in the next review piece! Below is everything you need to find your way to the cafés.

SomSom Coffee (솜솜 커피)

Open Daily: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Phone: 070-4797-0977

Address: 광주 북구 설죽로 202번길 18 (우)61185

Café Dunn & Dunn Edwards Paints (카페던 & 던에드워드페인트)

Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Weekends: 12–10 p.m.

Paint Classes: Monday–Saturday before 6 p.m.

Instagram: @dunn_edwards_gj

Phone: 0507-1374-9077

Address: 광주 북구 문화소통로 70 1층 용봉동 (우) 61177

Yousra is a young Algerian living in South Korea and majoring in mass communication and journalism. As she figures out her calling in life, she is mostly interested in writing, broadcasting, and broadening her comfort zone. She enjoys intriguing conversations, adventures, interacting with people, and being an active community member. Oh, and she is an avid member of the BTS ARMY! Instagram: @myyilgi