3. Audrey Hepburn Cafe (Random Review Weekly)

This one is right across the street from my apartment.
This one is right across the street from my apartment.

The Audrey Hepburn Estate knows about this … right?

Recently opened across the street from my humble apartment building in Gimhae is Audrey Hepburn Cafe, which, if paired with a few songs at a Kenny Rogers Noraebang, could make for a wonderful night of possible copyright infringement.

It's not a bad space at all.
It’s not a bad space at all.

My girlfriend and I walked in a week or so ago to a very nice, but probably very bored middle-aged woman, who was the only employee and only person in the rather spacious cafe. Despite feeling bad for this woman (who may or may not be the owner of this location’s franchise), we decided to give it a pass. Prices were on the high side of normal (for Korea), with Americanos, Cappucinos, Lattes and the like going for about 4,000- 4,500 won. A selection of food items were also on display, including desserts, two personal pizzas, soup in a bread bowl and a barbecue chicken sandwich.

This week, I decided I’d finally give it a try. Fortunately for that woman (if she is the owner), there were several small groups of people popping in on this night. Unfortunately, she was again the only employee.

Not feeling in the mood for more coffee, I ordered some kind of Lychee flavored Basil seed beverage which, even at 4,000 won, felt worth it. It was very refreshing and a change of pace from the gross “ades” many Korean cafes try to throw at people (I hope not literally. That would be quite sticky).

Decent presentation, not terribly decent sandwich. But, the chicken was nice.
Decent presentation, not terribly decent sandwich. But, the chicken was nice.

I opted for the barbecue chicken sandwich (5,500 won) and somewhat regretted the decision following my first bite. For cafes in Korea, it’s certainly not the worst sandwich I’ve had, nor the worst price. And for a very good sandwich (a place called Bakehouse on Dalmaji Hill in Busan comes to mind), I am willing to pay a lot more. But, this sandwich had something it called foccacia bread, which wasn’t terrible but was closer to white bread than anything else. The chicken itself was pretty good, but it was marred by a strange cream sauce that added in addition to a normal bbq sauce. And, yes, that’s yellow American cheese.

Does the estate know??
Does the estate know??

Will I be back? Possibly. A friend mentioned a location in Busan she visited where she ordered the mushroom soup in the bread bowl (6,500 won) and was pretty satisfied. Or, I might just have a coffee.

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JPDdoesROK is a former news editor/writer in New Jersey, USA, who served a one-year tour of duty in Dadaepo/Jangnim, Saha-gu, Busan from February 2013 to February 2014. He is now a teacher in Gimhae.