helmet

Busan

helmet

Brunch Cafe Helmet

Helmet, a brunch cafe reminiscent of a European apartment, fully embodies the depth of taste and style.

Edit Danbee Bae, Sungah Jun

Photograph Kihun Jung

Brunch Cafe Helmet possesses a unique charm. This is because it perfectly embodies the lifestyle of CEO Hong Seok-hyun, who fills and shares his favorite things at every moment within a single building, ranging from a brunch cafe to a bookstore, vintage shop, and accommodation. Helmet is his second space introduced in Busan. CEO Hong, who dreamed of becoming a director while working at a theater company, left Seoul behind and moved to Busan, where his family lives, to create his own hideout. Preferring the dark coziness found in basement spaces, he designed a cafe called "Gomulsang" (Junk Shop) that captured the essence of the underground before opening Helmet. Small yet charming, Gomulsang was loved for its vintage appeal for a long time. However, wanting to share his tastes without spatial limitations, he renovated the space, creating a bookstore and vintage shop in the current basement, a brunch cafe on the first and second floors, and an accommodation on the third and fourth floors. Inspired by the helmets worn by astronauts and designed with a concept of freedom isolated from the outside world, this place evokes the feeling of a European apartment. The underground bookstore 'Builder' embodies the content he and his team have seen, felt, and experienced; 'Stay' reflects their philosophy on travel; and 'Helmet' fully captures the depth of their expertise in taste and style as a brunch café. The signature menu here is the Rucola Tteokbokki, which adds fresh arugula and Grana Padano cheese to the dish, featuring plump Busan fish cakes for added texture. Helmet brings a gentle smile to your face thanks to the thoughtful consideration of the staff, who provide customized service tailored to age and gender. CEO Hong Seok-hyun, who has experienced various cities since his school days, introduces himself as a Busan native whenever he greets people for the first time. Although he hasn't lived in Busan for very long, it is here that he first learned to drive, opened his shop, and continues to grow internally through his interactions with people. CEO Hong Seok-hyun describes Busan as a city he always wants to return to. Today, he continues to cultivate the reasons why people want to visit Gwangalli again and again.