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Soyang-ri'nin Kitap Mutfağı
Kore’nin Çok Satan İyileştirme Kitabı
Temiz hava, huzurlu bir istirahat ve leziz kitap önerileri için Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda
kısa bir mola verin.
Seullü Yujin şans eseri, konaklama ve kitap kafeyi birleştiren “Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı”nı açar. Kendi acıları ve zorluklarıyla boğuşan insanlar, Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda zaman geçirerek dertlerinden arınır ve hayatlarında yeni bir sayfa açarlar.
Dört mevsim boyunca, kendi hikâyelerini taşıyan konuklar buraya gelir; kitap sayfalarına kapılıp
vakit geçirir, huzur bulur ve yanlarında güzel anılarla ayrılırlar.
Burası, zaman zaman yorgun düştüğünüzde kalbinizin huzur bulduğu bir liman...
Aynı zamanda sevdiklerinizden sakladığınız duyguları ortaya çıkardığınız, teselli bulup cesaret kazandığınız bir sığınak. Dahası “Kitap Mutfağı”, adına yaraşır şekilde gelenlerin damak tatlarına uygun yemek
önerileri alır gibi kitap tavsiyeleri aldığı, leziz yemekler yiyerek şifa bulurcasına kitap okuyup
zihinlerini dinlendirdiği iyileştirici bir mekân.
“Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda bir ay boyunca yaşamak istedim.”
-heu
“Bu yıl bana en çok teselli veren, adeta hediye gibi gelen bir kitap.”
-aru
Temiz hava, huzurlu bir istirahat ve leziz kitap önerileri için Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda
kısa bir mola verin.
Seullü Yujin şans eseri, konaklama ve kitap kafeyi birleştiren “Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı”nı açar. Kendi acıları ve zorluklarıyla boğuşan insanlar, Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda zaman geçirerek dertlerinden arınır ve hayatlarında yeni bir sayfa açarlar.
Dört mevsim boyunca, kendi hikâyelerini taşıyan konuklar buraya gelir; kitap sayfalarına kapılıp
vakit geçirir, huzur bulur ve yanlarında güzel anılarla ayrılırlar.
Burası, zaman zaman yorgun düştüğünüzde kalbinizin huzur bulduğu bir liman...
Aynı zamanda sevdiklerinizden sakladığınız duyguları ortaya çıkardığınız, teselli bulup cesaret kazandığınız bir sığınak. Dahası “Kitap Mutfağı”, adına yaraşır şekilde gelenlerin damak tatlarına uygun yemek
önerileri alır gibi kitap tavsiyeleri aldığı, leziz yemekler yiyerek şifa bulurcasına kitap okuyup
zihinlerini dinlendirdiği iyileştirici bir mekân.
“Soyang-ri’nin Kitap Mutfağı’nda bir ay boyunca yaşamak istedim.”
-heu
“Bu yıl bana en çok teselli veren, adeta hediye gibi gelen bir kitap.”
-aru
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2022
363 people are currently reading
9193 people want to read
About the author
Kim Jee Hye
1 book36 followersKim Jee Hye studied Journalism and Broadcasting, and she now runs an independent bookshop in South Korea called Walking on the Clouds. Soyangri Book Kitchen is her debut novel.
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February 9, 2026The concept of a space blending a bookshop, a cafe, and a 'book stay' for overnight guests felt like a direct manifestation of my own dream to run a book-based business. So, when I discovered this book, a story that not only explores this very idea but adds the irresistible allure of a place you can actually stay in - I am sold! It felt as though the premise had been crafted just for me and it was a vision so enthralling it felt almost too good to be true. And that immediate, personal connection is what compelled me to pick it up.
Soyangri Book Kitchen begins when the protagonist, Yoojin, buys a piece of land in the quiet town of Soyangri and opens a book cafe. Originally an IT entrepreneur, Yoojin becomes worn out by intense competition, conflicts with her business partner, and the strain of human relationships. In search of a fresh start, she opens the cafe not only as a place of personal healing but gradually becomes a cozy, healing space for many others.
Similarly, I have noticed that healing novels have become increasingly favored, and they happen to be the kind of books I turn to when I have limited time to read. Their widespread appeal reflects a reality where we are living in a time when people genuinely need comfort and emotional restoration. While the structure may be foreseeable, their popularity impart that readers are yearning for the emotions we so often overlook in our busy lives; where what we really need above all is simply a moment of rest.
And so, this book embraces the same form where each chapter unfolds as a self-contained story, focusing on a new visitor to the Soyangri Book Kitchen and the personal struggles they carry through its doors. We meet Diane, a famous idol haunted by the loss of her grandmother's love; Suhyuk, the scion of a wealthy yet emotionally barren family; and Sohee, an overachieving student blind to her own declining health. Alongside others connected to the owner Yoojin's past, these characters find that within the warm embrace of the cafe, they begin to heal, rediscover hope, and find their way back to the warmth of life.
The novel also vividly captures the changing faces of nature across the four seasons with striking clarity. As I followed the stories that mirrored the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of one’s thirties, I felt as though I were truly living through those seasons myself. Before I knew it, the characters in the story were meeting one another—sharing meals, listening to music, talking about books, and drinking wine together.
At the same time, it is clear that the author is still finding her footing as a writer. The lack of formal experience shows in certain structural choices, like the shifting points of view, which can make the story feel uneven at times. While the chapters are riveting, the endings often feel unfinished and do not provide enough emotional payoff. This lingering sense of incompleteness left me feeling a bit unsettled rather than comforted.
Interestingly, despite the name 'Book Kitchen', there is very little actual food in the story. Instead, the “kitchen” serves a metaphorical meal of books and quiet companionship. It is a charming and creative concept, though it did make me wonder about the title’s literal meaning. Perhaps, at times as I would have it, Soyangri Book Kitchen is more of a sanctuary or a place to pause and reflect than a literal kitchen. It feels as if the story is gently urging us to lift our heads and keep going. The people who visit this haven take a moment to set aside the noise of daily life and look inward. Some open up long-hidden memories they have kept tucked away in their hearts, while others find the courage to move forward during their stay.
In a society increasingly defined by individualism, this novel reminded me that warmth and compassion have not vanished; they are simply waiting for us to reach out with an open heart. In the end, Soyangri Book Kitchen reaffirmed my belief that life, despite everything, is indeed a good journey.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed or rushed, this book feels like a rest stop on the road. I found myself thinking that if I had a personal hideaway like Soyangri Book Kitchen; a place where my heart could rest, I might also be able to find strength even in moments that taste as bitter as black coffee.
Soyangri Book Kitchen begins when the protagonist, Yoojin, buys a piece of land in the quiet town of Soyangri and opens a book cafe. Originally an IT entrepreneur, Yoojin becomes worn out by intense competition, conflicts with her business partner, and the strain of human relationships. In search of a fresh start, she opens the cafe not only as a place of personal healing but gradually becomes a cozy, healing space for many others.
Similarly, I have noticed that healing novels have become increasingly favored, and they happen to be the kind of books I turn to when I have limited time to read. Their widespread appeal reflects a reality where we are living in a time when people genuinely need comfort and emotional restoration. While the structure may be foreseeable, their popularity impart that readers are yearning for the emotions we so often overlook in our busy lives; where what we really need above all is simply a moment of rest.
And so, this book embraces the same form where each chapter unfolds as a self-contained story, focusing on a new visitor to the Soyangri Book Kitchen and the personal struggles they carry through its doors. We meet Diane, a famous idol haunted by the loss of her grandmother's love; Suhyuk, the scion of a wealthy yet emotionally barren family; and Sohee, an overachieving student blind to her own declining health. Alongside others connected to the owner Yoojin's past, these characters find that within the warm embrace of the cafe, they begin to heal, rediscover hope, and find their way back to the warmth of life.
The novel also vividly captures the changing faces of nature across the four seasons with striking clarity. As I followed the stories that mirrored the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of one’s thirties, I felt as though I were truly living through those seasons myself. Before I knew it, the characters in the story were meeting one another—sharing meals, listening to music, talking about books, and drinking wine together.
At the same time, it is clear that the author is still finding her footing as a writer. The lack of formal experience shows in certain structural choices, like the shifting points of view, which can make the story feel uneven at times. While the chapters are riveting, the endings often feel unfinished and do not provide enough emotional payoff. This lingering sense of incompleteness left me feeling a bit unsettled rather than comforted.
Interestingly, despite the name 'Book Kitchen', there is very little actual food in the story. Instead, the “kitchen” serves a metaphorical meal of books and quiet companionship. It is a charming and creative concept, though it did make me wonder about the title’s literal meaning. Perhaps, at times as I would have it, Soyangri Book Kitchen is more of a sanctuary or a place to pause and reflect than a literal kitchen. It feels as if the story is gently urging us to lift our heads and keep going. The people who visit this haven take a moment to set aside the noise of daily life and look inward. Some open up long-hidden memories they have kept tucked away in their hearts, while others find the courage to move forward during their stay.
In a society increasingly defined by individualism, this novel reminded me that warmth and compassion have not vanished; they are simply waiting for us to reach out with an open heart. In the end, Soyangri Book Kitchen reaffirmed my belief that life, despite everything, is indeed a good journey.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed or rushed, this book feels like a rest stop on the road. I found myself thinking that if I had a personal hideaway like Soyangri Book Kitchen; a place where my heart could rest, I might also be able to find strength even in moments that taste as bitter as black coffee.
May 3, 2024
Miła lektura, ale niczym się niewyróżniająca.
May 12, 2025
3,5. Tras algunos años viendo como su vida era consumida por su trabajo, Yujin decide huir de Seúl y acaba refugiada en Soyangri, un pequeño y pintoresco pueblo del que acaba enamorada. Después de adquirir una propiedad adecuada, Yujin decide crear un refugio donde las personas puedan hospedarse, escapar del estrés de la ciudad y disfrutar de la belleza y la tranquilidad del campo y la naturaleza. El centro de este recinto será una cafetería literaria donde las personas podrán encontrar historias con las que identificarse y compartir recomendaciones con otros. Mientras ayuda a sanar las heridas de las diferentes personas que acudirán a “La cocina de los libros”, las de Yujin comenzarán a curarse también.
Los diferentes inquilinos que pasan por “La cocina de los libros” vienen escapando de alguna circunstancia de su vida que los hace desgraciados, algunos tienen un pasado complejo que quieren olvidar, otros han perdido a un ser querido y necesitan pasar el duelo, o simplemente se sienten solos y perdidos, pero sea cual sea el motivo que lleva a estas personas a acudir a este alejado y bonito lugar, todos consiguen encontrar ese refugio que necesitan, esas respuestas que están buscando. Creo que una de las principales virtudes de esta obra, es que sea una historia coral, ya que la autora consigue crear un abanico muy amplio de personajes que transitan por el dolor, el miedo o la incertidumbre y se hace fácil empatizar con ellos. Es cierto que al estar cada capítulo centrado en uno, no te llegan por igual y, en mi caso, algunos me han emocionado más, pero todos me han interesado.
El gran punto fuerte de la novela es, no cabe la menor duda, la ambientación. A lo largo de todo un año, no solo asistiremos a como se relacionan los personajes y logran sanan en este mágico lugar, sino que podremos vivir a través de ellos el paso de las cuatro estaciones. Una de las cosas que más me gusta de la literatura asiática es ese gusto a la hora de poner al frente de sus historias la propia belleza de los lugares que describen. Siempre me ha parecido una delicia como estos escenarios pasan a ser tan importantes o más que los propios personajes. Una nevada en invierno, como las hojas caen en otoño o florecen en primavera, o la luz del verano, gozan de peso en el paso de la vida reflejado a lo largo de las estaciones. Es una de las cosas que más disfruto de la literatura asiática, tienen un don para transportar al lector a estos sitios. Me ha resultado muy sencillo imaginarme esa bonita Soyangri a través de los las estaciones.
La autora muestra a través de sus diferentes personajes y las vivencias de la vida adulta, esa vorágine que nos atrapa y nos lleva por donde quiere y como, en mayor o menor medida, todos nos sentimos atrapados en ella, con pocas posibilidades de salir. La vida es la que es, y pese a que hay que tratar de luchar contra ello, a veces, poco margen tenemos. Los personajes son my diferentes en cuanto a vida, profesión o clase social, pero de alguna manera todos se encuentran inmersos en una vida que va demasiado rápida. Es imposible no sentirse reflejado en ese sentimiento.
No es una obra compleja, y el hecho de que los personajes aparezcan, mejoren y se vayan, intensifica esa sensación de sencillez, cosa que no es en absoluto mala, aunque en algún momento se pueda echar en falta algo más de profundidad. Es de esas historias que reconfortan, que provocan alegría y que te hacen querer valorar más lo bonito de la vida, esas pequeñas cosas a las que no prestamos la atención necesaria por encontrarnos sumergidos en el ajetreo del día a día, pero que realmente son las más importantes. Pese a la sencillez de la obra, ha habido varios momentos que me han resultado tan bonitos, tristes o evocadores, que han conseguido emocionarme.
Aunque he disfrutado de “La cocina de los libros de Soyangri” debo admitir que estoy empezando a cansarme un poco de consumir tanto cozy asiático, por lo que puede que vaya siendo hora de tomar un respiro del género, porque me gusta mucho y no quiero aborrecerlo. Creo que la obra de Kim Jee-hye mantiene todos los elementos típicos en esta clase de historias, pero he sentido que tiene algunos otros no tan manidos que le aportan algo diferente, como puede ser la propia ambientación. No es una historia que te vaya a cambiar la vida, pero es una experiencia muy agradable leerla.
Los diferentes inquilinos que pasan por “La cocina de los libros” vienen escapando de alguna circunstancia de su vida que los hace desgraciados, algunos tienen un pasado complejo que quieren olvidar, otros han perdido a un ser querido y necesitan pasar el duelo, o simplemente se sienten solos y perdidos, pero sea cual sea el motivo que lleva a estas personas a acudir a este alejado y bonito lugar, todos consiguen encontrar ese refugio que necesitan, esas respuestas que están buscando. Creo que una de las principales virtudes de esta obra, es que sea una historia coral, ya que la autora consigue crear un abanico muy amplio de personajes que transitan por el dolor, el miedo o la incertidumbre y se hace fácil empatizar con ellos. Es cierto que al estar cada capítulo centrado en uno, no te llegan por igual y, en mi caso, algunos me han emocionado más, pero todos me han interesado.
El gran punto fuerte de la novela es, no cabe la menor duda, la ambientación. A lo largo de todo un año, no solo asistiremos a como se relacionan los personajes y logran sanan en este mágico lugar, sino que podremos vivir a través de ellos el paso de las cuatro estaciones. Una de las cosas que más me gusta de la literatura asiática es ese gusto a la hora de poner al frente de sus historias la propia belleza de los lugares que describen. Siempre me ha parecido una delicia como estos escenarios pasan a ser tan importantes o más que los propios personajes. Una nevada en invierno, como las hojas caen en otoño o florecen en primavera, o la luz del verano, gozan de peso en el paso de la vida reflejado a lo largo de las estaciones. Es una de las cosas que más disfruto de la literatura asiática, tienen un don para transportar al lector a estos sitios. Me ha resultado muy sencillo imaginarme esa bonita Soyangri a través de los las estaciones.
La autora muestra a través de sus diferentes personajes y las vivencias de la vida adulta, esa vorágine que nos atrapa y nos lleva por donde quiere y como, en mayor o menor medida, todos nos sentimos atrapados en ella, con pocas posibilidades de salir. La vida es la que es, y pese a que hay que tratar de luchar contra ello, a veces, poco margen tenemos. Los personajes son my diferentes en cuanto a vida, profesión o clase social, pero de alguna manera todos se encuentran inmersos en una vida que va demasiado rápida. Es imposible no sentirse reflejado en ese sentimiento.
No es una obra compleja, y el hecho de que los personajes aparezcan, mejoren y se vayan, intensifica esa sensación de sencillez, cosa que no es en absoluto mala, aunque en algún momento se pueda echar en falta algo más de profundidad. Es de esas historias que reconfortan, que provocan alegría y que te hacen querer valorar más lo bonito de la vida, esas pequeñas cosas a las que no prestamos la atención necesaria por encontrarnos sumergidos en el ajetreo del día a día, pero que realmente son las más importantes. Pese a la sencillez de la obra, ha habido varios momentos que me han resultado tan bonitos, tristes o evocadores, que han conseguido emocionarme.
Aunque he disfrutado de “La cocina de los libros de Soyangri” debo admitir que estoy empezando a cansarme un poco de consumir tanto cozy asiático, por lo que puede que vaya siendo hora de tomar un respiro del género, porque me gusta mucho y no quiero aborrecerlo. Creo que la obra de Kim Jee-hye mantiene todos los elementos típicos en esta clase de historias, pero he sentido que tiene algunos otros no tan manidos que le aportan algo diferente, como puede ser la propia ambientación. No es una historia que te vaya a cambiar la vida, pero es una experiencia muy agradable leerla.
September 29, 2025
Such a cosy read!
I love how each person who encounters the book kitchen leaves with a fresh perspective on life. Certain books are often tied to significant memories in our lives and seeing them again can be a good reminder of who we used to be and how far we've come. Or you might find a new to you book that makes you discover something new about yourself and/or the world around you.
This story is a really good reminder to slow down and appreciate life before your job slowly kills you - quite possibly literally!
The whole vibe of the book kitchen felt like a warm hug, and I would love to visit somewhere like this.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review
I love how each person who encounters the book kitchen leaves with a fresh perspective on life. Certain books are often tied to significant memories in our lives and seeing them again can be a good reminder of who we used to be and how far we've come. Or you might find a new to you book that makes you discover something new about yourself and/or the world around you.
This story is a really good reminder to slow down and appreciate life before your job slowly kills you - quite possibly literally!
The whole vibe of the book kitchen felt like a warm hug, and I would love to visit somewhere like this.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review
December 26, 2024
I love how this book totally captures that "slow living" vibe. It's not just the Soyang Ri book kitchen that's all about finding peace and healing; the whole story is like that. Every little detail is so well written, and even though the characters have similar problems, they're all so different; their thoughts, families, love lives, the whole nine yards. It's like they're all trying their hardest to be the best versions of themselves, and they end up meeting in this little place called Soyang-Ri.
Each story is a rollercoaster of emotions. Some are so sweet they'll make you smile, and others are so heartbreaking they'll make you cry. But they all have one thing in common: they remind us of the stuff we often forget about life. Like, remember when you were 20 and had all these big dreams? Or the simple joy of being a kid? And those nights where you could just fall asleep in seconds? We're all so busy chasing success and making everyone else happy that we forget to take a breath sometimes.
My favorite quote from the book is when Su-Hyeok's dad says,
Each story is a rollercoaster of emotions. Some are so sweet they'll make you smile, and others are so heartbreaking they'll make you cry. But they all have one thing in common: they remind us of the stuff we often forget about life. Like, remember when you were 20 and had all these big dreams? Or the simple joy of being a kid? And those nights where you could just fall asleep in seconds? We're all so busy chasing success and making everyone else happy that we forget to take a breath sometimes.
My favorite quote from the book is when Su-Hyeok's dad says,
"...Beautiful days will pass, and those really passionate, happy moments might fade away. But the stories? They'll always be there. Because stories live in our hearts. They don't fade, they don't disappear, they don't break."
January 18, 2025
Buku healing fiction ala Korea yang menyenangkan untuk dibaca. Bercerita tentang homestay, kafe, toko buku, ruang baca, creative space tempat orang bisa menulis, mendiskusikan buku, pokoknya apa-apa yang dicita-citakan pecinta buku lah 🥹 'Book's Kitchen' terdiri dari cerita-cerita pemilik, para staff, dan tamu-tamu yang singgah di sana. Ada cerita tentang pertemanan, keluarga, cinta tipis-tipis, pokoknya yang menggambarkan bagaimana rehat sejenak bisa bantu kita mengatasi keruwetan yang dialami.
Yang saya rasakan, beberapa cerita terasa tiba-tiba. Tiba-tiba intens, tiba-tiba selesai. Nggak mengganggu sih, apalagi kalau sudah terbiasa baca healing fiction. Namun, buat saya beberapa tetap jadinya terasa mengawang-awang.
Yang saya rasakan, beberapa cerita terasa tiba-tiba. Tiba-tiba intens, tiba-tiba selesai. Nggak mengganggu sih, apalagi kalau sudah terbiasa baca healing fiction. Namun, buat saya beberapa tetap jadinya terasa mengawang-awang.
July 9, 2025
May the smell of books fill this place.
곧 이 공간이 책 냄새 가득한 공간으로 변신하겠지.
Soyangri Book Kitchen (2025) is Shanna Tan's translation of 책들의 부엌 (2022) by 김지혜 (Kim Jee Hye).
The novel is another in the strong trend towards healing literature in the translated-from-Korean fiction - indeed Shanna Tan herself translated in 2023-4 Marigold Mind Laundry, Yeonnam-dong’s Smiley Laundromat and Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, and also has forthcoming in 2025 The Moonglow Bookshop, Hakuda Photo Studio and the non-fictional Every Moment Was You.
The novel opens in March with the main character Yoojin (유진) completing the finishes touches to her new shop, the Soyangri Book Kitchen. Soyangri itself is fictional but it is in the area of 마이산 (Mai Mountain).
In addition to the bookshop, which doubled up as a café and event space, Soyangri Book Kitchen would also be running a ‘bookstay’: accommodation for those looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. Of the four twostorey buildings it occupied, three were guesthouses. And the building in which she stood now housed the book café, as well as all the staff on the upper floors. From a bird’s eye view, with a garden and a botanical glasshouse in the centre, the compound looked like a cross.
The book café’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a panoramic view of the picturesque Soyangri village. Behind the plum blossom trees, one could make out the meandering mountain ridges in the distance. Gazing at their majestic yet gentle curves, Yoojin sometimes wondered if she was living in a dream. As a Seoulite born and raised in the city, Yoojin was more used to tall, sharpedged skyscrapers, skyscrapers, 24-hour convenience stores, chain cafés, a sprawling subway network and high-rise apartment buildings.
In the Korean the book store is rendered in 소양리 북스 키친은, where, unlike the novel's title, Book Kitchen is rendered phonetically from the English, and indeed the Korean original's cover has the shop name in English:
소양리 북스 키친은 책을 팔고 다양한 행사를 진행하는 북 카페와 책을 읽을 수도, 휴식을 취할 수도 있는 북 스테이를 결합한 복합 공간으로 총 4개의 동으로 구성되어 있었다. 우선 북 스테이 공간은 건물 3개 동으로 만들었는데 각각 2층짜리 독채 펜션이었다. 북 스테이용이 아닌 나머지 건물의 1층은 북 카페로 사용하고 2층은 스태프들이 거주하는 공간으로 사용하도록 구성했다. 그리고 이 4개의 동은 중앙 정원에 있는 유리로 된 식물원으로 연결되어 있었다. 다시 말해 정원을 중심으로 십자 모양으로 4개의 동이 들어서 있는 셈이다.
북 카페의 전면은 통유리 창으로 되어 있었고, 창문 너머로 보이는 소양리 풍경은 자체로 그림이 되었다. 매화나무 너머로는 굽이굽이 이어진 산등성이가 보였다. 유진은 치맛자락이 너울대는 듯한 거대하고 부드러운 곡선을 보면서 자신이 꿈을 꾸고 있는지도 모른다고 생각했다. 서울 본토박이인 유진은 뾰족하고 높은 빌딩과 24시간 편의점, 프랜차이즈 커피 전문점 그리고 빽빽하게 연결된 지하철과 대단지 아파트로 구성된 도시가 이곳 소양리보다 훨씬 현실감 있게 느껴졌다.
Yoojin is in 32 years old, and has bought the land on which the book shop stands, and completed the building work, from the proceeds of the sale of her small start-up. Her inspiration was Maeve Binchy's posthomously published novel A Week in Winter.
And this is a healing book about a book shop that mainly specialises in healing books, and wider mentally theraputic stays:
Next to Anne of Green Gables, the staff had recommended a few more book-pairings for the novel, alongside a handwritten note.
Take a leisurely walk in the woods of words
#goodmoodreads #healingessays #koreanauthors
#cosyreads
Reflections on Kindness by Kim Honbi
The Skill of Relaxation by Kim Hana
Hohoho by Yoon Gaeun
The Taste of Kkwabaegi by Choi Minseok
The Charm of Kkawabaegi by Choi Minseok
It Doesn't Matter, Does It? by Jang Kiha
The novel consists of a prologue, 7 episodic chapters, and two brief 'what happened next' epilogues:
프롤로그 - 소양리 북스 키친 - Prologue Soyangri Book Kitchen
1장 - 할머니와 밤하늘 - Grandma and the Night Sky
2장 - 안녕, 나의 20대 - Goodbye, My Twenties
3장 - 최적 경로와 최단 경로 - The Optimal Route vs. the Shortest Route
4장 - 한여름 밤의 꿈 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
5장 - 10월 둘째 주 금요일 오전 6시 - The Second Friday of October, 6 A.M
6장 - 첫눈, 그리움 그리고 이야기 - First Snow, Missing You, Stories
7장 - 크리스마스니까요 - Because It's Christmas
에필로그 1. - 별빛과 바람이 머무는 시간 - Epilogue 1 - Time of Starlight and Wind
에필로그 2. - 1년 전 오늘입니다 - Epilogue 2 - A Year Ago Today
The chapters introduce various people who come to stay at the Book Kitchen, starting with a famous singer whose grandmother owned the land on which the book shop stands, and the connections they build between themeselves and with Yoojin and her staff.
And this is not a 'Hell Chosun' novel with characters struggling in the rat-race of modern life. Most of the characters are young - around 30 - but successful (Yoojin herself having sold a start up; her sunbae and business partner, now a director at a tech company; a famous singer; a lawyer close to becoming a judge; the son of a large family conglomerate etc). And, unlike the Douglas Kennedy novel which one character picks up, most do not up-end their lives, they simply need a pause for breath and take stock:
'What you just described reminds me of his [Douglas Kennedy's] novels. It starts with a protagonist who leads a successful life but feels empty on the inside. Then, something small triggers them to throw away everything and leave behind their old life to settle in a village in the countryside. They change their name, appearance, career, and live as a completely different person.'
c.f. for the characters including Yoojin:
'Yoojin, you're looking much better these days, said the sunbae, looking more relaxed himself. 'I mean it ... It's as if you've grown stronger, comfortable with being truly you.'
There is also a strong - and explicitly reference - Murakami vibe to the set up with a focus on simple home cooking and jazz music.
As noted above, this novel brings the healing novel trend full circle and it would be a fitting and welcome end to the trend, although from the list of forthcoming translations that feels a vain hope. But it is good to read a novel from the genre that majors on the smell of books not coffee and indeed one that implicitly celebrates the opportunites offered by the modern Korean economy rather than decry it.
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.
곧 이 공간이 책 냄새 가득한 공간으로 변신하겠지.
Soyangri Book Kitchen (2025) is Shanna Tan's translation of 책들의 부엌 (2022) by 김지혜 (Kim Jee Hye).
The novel is another in the strong trend towards healing literature in the translated-from-Korean fiction - indeed Shanna Tan herself translated in 2023-4 Marigold Mind Laundry, Yeonnam-dong’s Smiley Laundromat and Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, and also has forthcoming in 2025 The Moonglow Bookshop, Hakuda Photo Studio and the non-fictional Every Moment Was You.
The novel opens in March with the main character Yoojin (유진) completing the finishes touches to her new shop, the Soyangri Book Kitchen. Soyangri itself is fictional but it is in the area of 마이산 (Mai Mountain).
In addition to the bookshop, which doubled up as a café and event space, Soyangri Book Kitchen would also be running a ‘bookstay’: accommodation for those looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. Of the four twostorey buildings it occupied, three were guesthouses. And the building in which she stood now housed the book café, as well as all the staff on the upper floors. From a bird’s eye view, with a garden and a botanical glasshouse in the centre, the compound looked like a cross.
The book café’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a panoramic view of the picturesque Soyangri village. Behind the plum blossom trees, one could make out the meandering mountain ridges in the distance. Gazing at their majestic yet gentle curves, Yoojin sometimes wondered if she was living in a dream. As a Seoulite born and raised in the city, Yoojin was more used to tall, sharpedged skyscrapers, skyscrapers, 24-hour convenience stores, chain cafés, a sprawling subway network and high-rise apartment buildings.
In the Korean the book store is rendered in 소양리 북스 키친은, where, unlike the novel's title, Book Kitchen is rendered phonetically from the English, and indeed the Korean original's cover has the shop name in English:
소양리 북스 키친은 책을 팔고 다양한 행사를 진행하는 북 카페와 책을 읽을 수도, 휴식을 취할 수도 있는 북 스테이를 결합한 복합 공간으로 총 4개의 동으로 구성되어 있었다. 우선 북 스테이 공간은 건물 3개 동으로 만들었는데 각각 2층짜리 독채 펜션이었다. 북 스테이용이 아닌 나머지 건물의 1층은 북 카페로 사용하고 2층은 스태프들이 거주하는 공간으로 사용하도록 구성했다. 그리고 이 4개의 동은 중앙 정원에 있는 유리로 된 식물원으로 연결되어 있었다. 다시 말해 정원을 중심으로 십자 모양으로 4개의 동이 들어서 있는 셈이다.
북 카페의 전면은 통유리 창으로 되어 있었고, 창문 너머로 보이는 소양리 풍경은 자체로 그림이 되었다. 매화나무 너머로는 굽이굽이 이어진 산등성이가 보였다. 유진은 치맛자락이 너울대는 듯한 거대하고 부드러운 곡선을 보면서 자신이 꿈을 꾸고 있는지도 모른다고 생각했다. 서울 본토박이인 유진은 뾰족하고 높은 빌딩과 24시간 편의점, 프랜차이즈 커피 전문점 그리고 빽빽하게 연결된 지하철과 대단지 아파트로 구성된 도시가 이곳 소양리보다 훨씬 현실감 있게 느껴졌다.
Yoojin is in 32 years old, and has bought the land on which the book shop stands, and completed the building work, from the proceeds of the sale of her small start-up. Her inspiration was Maeve Binchy's posthomously published novel A Week in Winter.
And this is a healing book about a book shop that mainly specialises in healing books, and wider mentally theraputic stays:
Next to Anne of Green Gables, the staff had recommended a few more book-pairings for the novel, alongside a handwritten note.
Take a leisurely walk in the woods of words
#goodmoodreads #healingessays #koreanauthors
#cosyreads
Reflections on Kindness by Kim Honbi
The Skill of Relaxation by Kim Hana
Hohoho by Yoon Gaeun
The Taste of Kkwabaegi by Choi Minseok
The Charm of Kkawabaegi by Choi Minseok
It Doesn't Matter, Does It? by Jang Kiha
The novel consists of a prologue, 7 episodic chapters, and two brief 'what happened next' epilogues:
프롤로그 - 소양리 북스 키친 - Prologue Soyangri Book Kitchen
1장 - 할머니와 밤하늘 - Grandma and the Night Sky
2장 - 안녕, 나의 20대 - Goodbye, My Twenties
3장 - 최적 경로와 최단 경로 - The Optimal Route vs. the Shortest Route
4장 - 한여름 밤의 꿈 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
5장 - 10월 둘째 주 금요일 오전 6시 - The Second Friday of October, 6 A.M
6장 - 첫눈, 그리움 그리고 이야기 - First Snow, Missing You, Stories
7장 - 크리스마스니까요 - Because It's Christmas
에필로그 1. - 별빛과 바람이 머무는 시간 - Epilogue 1 - Time of Starlight and Wind
에필로그 2. - 1년 전 오늘입니다 - Epilogue 2 - A Year Ago Today
The chapters introduce various people who come to stay at the Book Kitchen, starting with a famous singer whose grandmother owned the land on which the book shop stands, and the connections they build between themeselves and with Yoojin and her staff.
And this is not a 'Hell Chosun' novel with characters struggling in the rat-race of modern life. Most of the characters are young - around 30 - but successful (Yoojin herself having sold a start up; her sunbae and business partner, now a director at a tech company; a famous singer; a lawyer close to becoming a judge; the son of a large family conglomerate etc). And, unlike the Douglas Kennedy novel which one character picks up, most do not up-end their lives, they simply need a pause for breath and take stock:
'What you just described reminds me of his [Douglas Kennedy's] novels. It starts with a protagonist who leads a successful life but feels empty on the inside. Then, something small triggers them to throw away everything and leave behind their old life to settle in a village in the countryside. They change their name, appearance, career, and live as a completely different person.'
c.f. for the characters including Yoojin:
'Yoojin, you're looking much better these days, said the sunbae, looking more relaxed himself. 'I mean it ... It's as if you've grown stronger, comfortable with being truly you.'
There is also a strong - and explicitly reference - Murakami vibe to the set up with a focus on simple home cooking and jazz music.
As noted above, this novel brings the healing novel trend full circle and it would be a fitting and welcome end to the trend, although from the list of forthcoming translations that feels a vain hope. But it is good to read a novel from the genre that majors on the smell of books not coffee and indeed one that implicitly celebrates the opportunites offered by the modern Korean economy rather than decry it.
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.
April 16, 2025
Selesaiiiii! Sukaaa 🤩🤩🤩. Meskipun bacanya tersendat-sendat karena aku tak sampai membayangkan apa yang dideskripsikan isi novelnya tapi bagian menjelang akhir manis 🥰.
.
Hidup ini bukan lomba lari 100 meter, bukan juga maraton. Mungkin hidup adalah proses mencari kecepatan dan arah yang sesuai denganmu untuk menetapkan jalan yang terbaik untukmu- 118.
.
“Aku membangunnya dengan harapan tempat ini bisa menjadi ruang yang mengisi sudut-sudut kosong dalam hati seperti makanan. Ternyata banyak orang seperti diriku di masa lalu, yang hidup tanpa berusaha memahami perasaan mereka sendiri dan tanpa menyadari kelelahan sudah menyergap. Kuharap kisah-kisah yang lezat ini menyebar sehingga orang-orang menyadari rasa lapar dalam hati mereka dan bisa bertemu dengan cerita-cerita yang mengenyangkan hati. Dan akan lebih baik lagi jika ada orang yang bisa menulis sesuatu yang mendorong orang-orang melihat ke dalam hati mereka masing-masing.”- 215.
.
“Su-hyeok, kuharap kau bertemu dengan seseorang dengan siapa kau bisa mengobrol selama berjam-jam. Yang penting, dia bisa berbicara tentang kisah dari lubuk hati terdalam denganmu sepanjang malam. Aku sudah pernah mengalaminya, jadi aku tahu. Hari-hari yang indah akan berlalu, saat-saat penuh gairah dan kebahagiaan bisa memudar. Namun, kisah akan tetap ada. Karena kisah tersimpan dalam hati. Kisah tidak akan pudar dan tidak akan lenyap, tidak akan retak dan tidak akan hancur…”- 258.
.
”Kakek berkata, ‘walaupun hidup terkadang terasa pahit, ingatlah ada rasa yang lebih mendalam di tengah saat-saat pahit itu. Walaupun kita sama sekali tidak memahami rasa kopi ketika kita pertama kali meminumnya, begitu kita merasakan kopi yang diseduh dengan hati-hati, kita akan tahu bahwa ada rahasia keindahan hidup yang bersembunyi di balik rasa pahit itu’.”- 259.
.
Karena adakalanya seseorang membutuhkan sedikit harapan bahwa hidup akan baik-baik saja- 228.
.
“Menghentikan hidup Anda sejenak. Bukannya terus berlari ke depan dan membalikkan halaman terakhir dalam hidup, Anda mendapat kesempatan untuk berhenti sejenak dan berpikir.”- 114.
.
Hidup ini bukan lomba lari 100 meter, bukan juga maraton. Mungkin hidup adalah proses mencari kecepatan dan arah yang sesuai denganmu untuk menetapkan jalan yang terbaik untukmu- 118.
.
“Aku membangunnya dengan harapan tempat ini bisa menjadi ruang yang mengisi sudut-sudut kosong dalam hati seperti makanan. Ternyata banyak orang seperti diriku di masa lalu, yang hidup tanpa berusaha memahami perasaan mereka sendiri dan tanpa menyadari kelelahan sudah menyergap. Kuharap kisah-kisah yang lezat ini menyebar sehingga orang-orang menyadari rasa lapar dalam hati mereka dan bisa bertemu dengan cerita-cerita yang mengenyangkan hati. Dan akan lebih baik lagi jika ada orang yang bisa menulis sesuatu yang mendorong orang-orang melihat ke dalam hati mereka masing-masing.”- 215.
.
“Su-hyeok, kuharap kau bertemu dengan seseorang dengan siapa kau bisa mengobrol selama berjam-jam. Yang penting, dia bisa berbicara tentang kisah dari lubuk hati terdalam denganmu sepanjang malam. Aku sudah pernah mengalaminya, jadi aku tahu. Hari-hari yang indah akan berlalu, saat-saat penuh gairah dan kebahagiaan bisa memudar. Namun, kisah akan tetap ada. Karena kisah tersimpan dalam hati. Kisah tidak akan pudar dan tidak akan lenyap, tidak akan retak dan tidak akan hancur…”- 258.
.
”Kakek berkata, ‘walaupun hidup terkadang terasa pahit, ingatlah ada rasa yang lebih mendalam di tengah saat-saat pahit itu. Walaupun kita sama sekali tidak memahami rasa kopi ketika kita pertama kali meminumnya, begitu kita merasakan kopi yang diseduh dengan hati-hati, kita akan tahu bahwa ada rahasia keindahan hidup yang bersembunyi di balik rasa pahit itu’.”- 259.
.
Karena adakalanya seseorang membutuhkan sedikit harapan bahwa hidup akan baik-baik saja- 228.
.
“Menghentikan hidup Anda sejenak. Bukannya terus berlari ke depan dan membalikkan halaman terakhir dalam hidup, Anda mendapat kesempatan untuk berhenti sejenak dan berpikir.”- 114.
June 10, 2023
Добрая уютная история в стиле «пока не остыл кофе». А еще это бизнес план моей мечты - книжный пансион в лесу 🫣🫶🏼
December 8, 2025
Se dúvidas houvesse que os livros tem um poder curativo, a leitura deste livro é a demonstração desta premissa. No Café Soyangri a magia existe e os livros transformam vidas.
February 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this as a comfort read.
The way the book explored the characters and what they were going through, from how even the smallest of actions helped them. Was really quite comforting.
The exploration of connection, feelings of being alone or not being enough, it was all very interesting to read. As it added a layer of depth.
There was something that everyone could resonate with. ♥️
The way the book explored the characters and what they were going through, from how even the smallest of actions helped them. Was really quite comforting.
The exploration of connection, feelings of being alone or not being enough, it was all very interesting to read. As it added a layer of depth.
There was something that everyone could resonate with. ♥️
June 26, 2024
I don't know why I put two stars, not one. It is probably because I have a lot of empathy for people in general, so on some level, I felt emotions regarding their stories described in this book. However, I would say that even if writing this book brought the author relief and happiness, publishing it for a bigger audience wasn't necessary.
July 12, 2024
W sumie to nie zasłużyła na tak wysoką ocenę, bo to jedynie klasyczna przedstawicielka swojego gatunku, ale teraz, w trudnym okresie, bardzo podniosła mnie na duchu. Ze wzruszeniem obserwowałam też bohaterów, rozmawiających o książkach, które sama kocham, słuchających muzyki, którą lubię. Naprawdę bardzo przyjemne, kojące przeżycie.
June 20, 2023
эта книга пыталась причинить мне добро, но не смогла. две звезды - только за супер-мимимишную обложку, но литературную часть она не спасает. все максимально плоско и клишейно.
December 31, 2025
Na sua nota final, a escritora refere que escreveu o livro que queria ler nos seus 30 anos. Eu que cheguei este ano ao patamar dos 30 anos, consigo compreender perfeitamente os dilemas e as inseguranças destas personagens. O sentimento de estar sem rumo, ao acreditar por ter atingido certa idade já devíamos ter um trabalho seguro e um relacionamento.
Ao longo deste livro, várias personagens se cruzam neste Café Literária e são de certa forma transformadas pelo poder curativo dos livros. Este café mais do que um refúgio literário, é o lugar para as almas perdidas e pelas almas cansadas. Várias histórias me emocionaram. Gostei especialmente a da cantora que se reencontra em Soyangri, relembrando os momentos felizes passados ao lado da sua avó. Amei a advogada que necessitou de um má noticia para abrandar um pouco a sua vida, demonstrando que não precisamos ser excelentes em todo. Pois a vida perde o prazer quando todo torna-se demasiado perfeito. É preciso apreciar as pequenas imperfeições, desfrutar os breves silêncios e sorrir ao errar.
Este livro demonstra como certas histórias podem nos salvar. Os livros são escape a realidade sombria das nossas vidas. Quantas vidas vazias não salvaram? Um livro que também me faz refletir sobre os meus tempos de criança. A época em que realmente fomos felizes, e depois parece que nos esquecemos. Porque não podemos de novo apreciar cada momento?
Ao longo deste livro, várias personagens se cruzam neste Café Literária e são de certa forma transformadas pelo poder curativo dos livros. Este café mais do que um refúgio literário, é o lugar para as almas perdidas e pelas almas cansadas. Várias histórias me emocionaram. Gostei especialmente a da cantora que se reencontra em Soyangri, relembrando os momentos felizes passados ao lado da sua avó. Amei a advogada que necessitou de um má noticia para abrandar um pouco a sua vida, demonstrando que não precisamos ser excelentes em todo. Pois a vida perde o prazer quando todo torna-se demasiado perfeito. É preciso apreciar as pequenas imperfeições, desfrutar os breves silêncios e sorrir ao errar.
Este livro demonstra como certas histórias podem nos salvar. Os livros são escape a realidade sombria das nossas vidas. Quantas vidas vazias não salvaram? Um livro que também me faz refletir sobre os meus tempos de criança. A época em que realmente fomos felizes, e depois parece que nos esquecemos. Porque não podemos de novo apreciar cada momento?
November 2, 2025
A really cozy read that was a little slow at times, but it's perfect if you like a slice-of-life kind of book.
February 3, 2024
Когда я приезжала к тебе, мне нравилось засыпать на террасе под шелест ветра. Проснувшись, я видела, как ты чистишь фасоль или чеснок. Иногда я наблюдала за тем, как ветер играет в листве. Заметив, что я проснулась, ты улыбалась.
Я чувствую облегчение, когда слышу шум волн. Пока я слышу шум волн, мне не страшна бессонница. Шум волн, похожий на шелест ветра, напоминает мне о тебе, бабушка.
Недавно я побывала в Соян-ри – впервые с тех пор, как тебя не стало. Твои ханок давно продали, а сарайчик, в котором я любила играть, исчез. На месте твоего дома появилось современное здание.
Но ветер… ветер остался прежним. Стоило ему коснуться кожи, как я снова почувствовала твое прикосновение. Снова увидела твою улыбку. Хурма, росшая у тебя в саду, осталась нетронутой. Мне вспомнилось, как ты сушила плоды хурмы на веревке и как я упала, взбираясь на дерево…
Это одна из тех книг, которые нужно читать по чуть-чуть, по одной истории за вечер, не больше. Я поступила примерно так, и теперь у меня ощущение, будто я сама была посетительницей этого уютного кафе и подслушала разговоры гостей.
Здесь много о воспоминаниях и юности, грусти и застоя в жизни, когда кажется, что дальше совсем не виден свет, об особом чувстве дома, которое не пропадет, даже если вокруг все изменится. И истории людей, которые зашли в тупик.
Мне понравилось, что книги здесь — приятное времяпрепровождение и способ справиться со стрессом от внешнего мира, ведущие к удивительным, спокойным, летним вечерам, а не размышления о том, что нынешняя молодежь перестала читать и всякое такое. Это все заставляет задуматься о важных вещах, которые обычно уходят на второй план из-за жуткого темпа рутины, и наконец сделать передышку.
July 4, 2024
looooove this one! sebuah hasil fomo yang berhasil ✨️
Kalau udah baca Welcome to the Hyunam-dong bookshop, sebetulnya ceritanya mirip: tentang seorang perempuan yang me"reset" kehidupannya dengan mengelola toko buku, lalu berinteraksi dengan orang-orang yang datang ke tokonya. Masing-masing orang yang datang juga punya masalahnya sendiri-sendiri dan menemukan Book's Kitchen Yujin secara tidak sengaja saat mereka sedang ingin kabur dari kehidupan masing-masing.
Yang aku suka dari Book's Kitchen adalah, ceritanya lebih sederhana dan interaksi tokohnya terasa mengalir. Masalah-masalah yang dialami masing-masing tokoh fan latar belakang mereka yang berbeda-beda juga diceritakan dengan baik dan enak dibaca, nggak terlalu panjang, terlalu banyak detail, atau terlalu banyak bergelut dengan pikiran masing-masing. Bingung jelasinnya tapi kayak nggak terlalu dihibur banget juga sih orang-orangnya. Mereka seperti dapat suasana baru, teman ngobrol, dan lebih bisa berpikir jernih aja setelah mampir ke Book's Kitchen (memang break dan paham tujuan/diri itu ✨️penting✨️).
Ada beberapa cerita yang dibiarkan menggantung dan tetap terasa pas, dan ada juga yang tuntas. Di buku ini juga banyak referensi ke lagu/buku yang populer. A perfect slice of life story!
Tldr; 10/10 would recommend!.
Poin ++++ : terjemahannya juara sih menurutku ♡
Kalau udah baca Welcome to the Hyunam-dong bookshop, sebetulnya ceritanya mirip: tentang seorang perempuan yang me"reset" kehidupannya dengan mengelola toko buku, lalu berinteraksi dengan orang-orang yang datang ke tokonya. Masing-masing orang yang datang juga punya masalahnya sendiri-sendiri dan menemukan Book's Kitchen Yujin secara tidak sengaja saat mereka sedang ingin kabur dari kehidupan masing-masing.
Yang aku suka dari Book's Kitchen adalah, ceritanya lebih sederhana dan interaksi tokohnya terasa mengalir. Masalah-masalah yang dialami masing-masing tokoh fan latar belakang mereka yang berbeda-beda juga diceritakan dengan baik dan enak dibaca, nggak terlalu panjang, terlalu banyak detail, atau terlalu banyak bergelut dengan pikiran masing-masing. Bingung jelasinnya tapi kayak nggak terlalu dihibur banget juga sih orang-orangnya. Mereka seperti dapat suasana baru, teman ngobrol, dan lebih bisa berpikir jernih aja setelah mampir ke Book's Kitchen (memang break dan paham tujuan/diri itu ✨️penting✨️).
Ada beberapa cerita yang dibiarkan menggantung dan tetap terasa pas, dan ada juga yang tuntas. Di buku ini juga banyak referensi ke lagu/buku yang populer. A perfect slice of life story!
Tldr; 10/10 would recommend!.
Poin ++++ : terjemahannya juara sih menurutku ♡
October 11, 2024
Jujur kurang suka ma bukunya, soalnya isinya bosenin bgt ya, kek Slice Of Life dan itu bukan tipe-tipe aku, gitu-gitu aja, tapi yaah, akhirnya selesai dengan keringat dan darah sih, paksa terus sampe kelar, but sampe selesai pun alurnya gitu² ajaa
November 11, 2024
bardzo nostalgiczna, jednak poczułam niedosyt.
November 28, 2025
A heartwarming novel from a South Korean author about the healing power of books, perfect for readers of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
With good books, good food and companionship, the Book Kitchen fills people's tired souls. Yoojin, who grew up in Seoul, opened the Book Kitchen by chance in Soyangri, a village two hours from Seoul by car. The Book Kitchen functions as a bookshop and cafe. The second function of the Book Kitchen is a Book Stay, where one can stay overnight in one of the building’s four complexes.
Over the course of one year, multiple characters each find comfort and hope at Yoojin’s Book Kitchen. From a music idol facing an identity crisis, to a promising lawyer beset by an unsettling medical diagnosis, to a young, failed music director who has had to rein in his dreams, they happen upon Soyangri at pivotal moments in their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Having read The Full Moon Coffee Shop, I fell in love with the soft, cosy vibes and needed another to continue that feeling, so when I found Kim Jee Hye's Soyangri Book Kitchen, I knew I had to read it, and I'm glad I did. With a soft, calming prose and an uplifting story, Soyangri Book Kitchen pulled me in from the beginning and had me hooked until the end. The only bad thing about this book is that it's not longer; I could read this over and over again and still feel like I'm reading a new story.
Overall, Soyangri Book Kitchen was a cosy, calming and uplifting novel that had you crying, reminiscing and smiling. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed books like The Full Moon Coffee Shop and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, or anyone who wants a good book to either cry to or for reminiscing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Union Square & Co., for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
With good books, good food and companionship, the Book Kitchen fills people's tired souls. Yoojin, who grew up in Seoul, opened the Book Kitchen by chance in Soyangri, a village two hours from Seoul by car. The Book Kitchen functions as a bookshop and cafe. The second function of the Book Kitchen is a Book Stay, where one can stay overnight in one of the building’s four complexes.
Over the course of one year, multiple characters each find comfort and hope at Yoojin’s Book Kitchen. From a music idol facing an identity crisis, to a promising lawyer beset by an unsettling medical diagnosis, to a young, failed music director who has had to rein in his dreams, they happen upon Soyangri at pivotal moments in their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Having read The Full Moon Coffee Shop, I fell in love with the soft, cosy vibes and needed another to continue that feeling, so when I found Kim Jee Hye's Soyangri Book Kitchen, I knew I had to read it, and I'm glad I did. With a soft, calming prose and an uplifting story, Soyangri Book Kitchen pulled me in from the beginning and had me hooked until the end. The only bad thing about this book is that it's not longer; I could read this over and over again and still feel like I'm reading a new story.
Overall, Soyangri Book Kitchen was a cosy, calming and uplifting novel that had you crying, reminiscing and smiling. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed books like The Full Moon Coffee Shop and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, or anyone who wants a good book to either cry to or for reminiscing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Union Square & Co., for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up!!
Soyangri Book Kitchen is gentle healing fiction that follows different characters as they make their way to a quiet book cafe/bed & breakfast run by Yoojin.
Each chapter focuses on a new visitor, all carrying their own struggles, and shows how the cafe offers them rest, reflection, and small moments of healing. I feel like we'd actually all benefit from a trip to the Soyangri Book Kitchen ourselves!
This book reminded me a lot of other popular Asian Fiction in structure (namely The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park or Before the Coffee gets cold). If you like these or other books with a single central location and different stories told through its visitors, I recommend picking this one up too!
That said, some of the stories blurred together, and the shifting POVs sometimes pulled me out of the flow. I think I would’ve connected more if Yoojin had been the anchor of the story.
Still, it’s soothing and gave me the hug in form of a book experience, even if it didn’t leave a deep emotional mark.
A promising debut, and I’ll be curious to see what the author writes next!
Soyangri Book Kitchen is gentle healing fiction that follows different characters as they make their way to a quiet book cafe/bed & breakfast run by Yoojin.
Each chapter focuses on a new visitor, all carrying their own struggles, and shows how the cafe offers them rest, reflection, and small moments of healing. I feel like we'd actually all benefit from a trip to the Soyangri Book Kitchen ourselves!
This book reminded me a lot of other popular Asian Fiction in structure (namely The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park or Before the Coffee gets cold). If you like these or other books with a single central location and different stories told through its visitors, I recommend picking this one up too!
That said, some of the stories blurred together, and the shifting POVs sometimes pulled me out of the flow. I think I would’ve connected more if Yoojin had been the anchor of the story.
Still, it’s soothing and gave me the hug in form of a book experience, even if it didn’t leave a deep emotional mark.
A promising debut, and I’ll be curious to see what the author writes next!
February 1, 2026
Das Buch war nett. Das typische Thema der asiatischen aktuelleren Literatur. Da ich aber schon einige gelesen habe in dieser Richtung: "Frau Komachi empfiehlt ein Buch" oder "Frau Yeoms kleiner Laden der großen Hoffnungen", war dieses Buch für mich leider weniger inspirierend als ich gehofft habe. Es konnte für mich nicht an die beiden oben genannten herankommen.
Keine der kleinen Geschichten ging mir so nahe, dass ich mit den Personen mitfühlen konnte und die empfohlenen Bücher wirkten auf mich eher beiläufig. Schade, man hätte sicherlich mehr aus der Thematik herausholen können.
Keine der kleinen Geschichten ging mir so nahe, dass ich mit den Personen mitfühlen konnte und die empfohlenen Bücher wirkten auf mich eher beiläufig. Schade, man hätte sicherlich mehr aus der Thematik herausholen können.
May 26, 2024
ชอบมาก ละมุน อบอุ่นสุดๆ
April 1, 2024
Ну какая же прелесть, а не книга! Сомневаюсь, что через пару месяцев хоть что-то вспомню отсюда, но вот сейчас, закрыв книгу, я довольна.
Книга про около тридцатилетних ребят, которые начинают подозревать, что что-то в их жизни идет не так, как надо, и находят утешение в книжном магазинчике. Красиво, мило, как будто листаешь хорошую подборку в пинтересте.
Любимая история — про Мари 💔
Книга про около тридцатилетних ребят, которые начинают подозревать, что что-то в их жизни идет не так, как надо, и находят утешение в книжном магазинчике. Красиво, мило, как будто листаешь хорошую подборку в пинтересте.
Любимая история — про Мари 💔
August 21, 2025
ARC provided via netgalley
As a book lover, I love reading books featuring books, and this one gave me all the feels I was craving. I am a huge fan of translated fiction, and I find them to be so cosy and I wasn't disappointed by Soyangri Book Kitchen. I am a huge fan of Shanna Tan and her translations as well. I felt fully immersed in the calming atmosphere that was created throughout the book and also the deep and meaningful messages learnt along the way.
As a book lover, I love reading books featuring books, and this one gave me all the feels I was craving. I am a huge fan of translated fiction, and I find them to be so cosy and I wasn't disappointed by Soyangri Book Kitchen. I am a huge fan of Shanna Tan and her translations as well. I felt fully immersed in the calming atmosphere that was created throughout the book and also the deep and meaningful messages learnt along the way.
March 23, 2024
Lâu lắm rồi mới lại đọc được một cuốn sách có vibes nhẹ nhàng, dịu dàng và ấm áp như “Những giấc mơ ở hiệu sách Morisaki”
Mình thích “Bếp sách làng Soyang” ngay từ khoảnh khắc đầu tiên thấy em í. Cũng không vì lý do vì đặc biệt, ngoài bìa xinh và tên thì có chữ “sách”
Lúc mới đọc mình nghĩ “bếp sách” chỉ đơn giản là một tiệm sách nào đó thôi. Mà đọc rồi thì khá bất ngờ. Đây là một khu tổ hợp mà bất cứ mọt sách nào cũng ao ước, một quán cafe thơm mùi cafe và bánh ngọt, xung quanh chất đầy những bức tường sách, nhìn ra khung cảnh thiên nhiên xinh đẹp. Chưa dừng ở đó, ở “bếp sách” còn có nhà trọ để bạn ở lại mỗi lần ghé thăm, và cả phòng sáng tác cho những ai cần sự yên tĩnh. Lâu lâu ở đây còn có một vài sự kiện, như cùng nói chuyện về sách, hay những lá thư gửi đến bạn của một năm sau…. Cảm giác như là, nếu “bếp sách” có thật trên đời, mình sẽ muốn ghé thăm và ở lại lâu thật lâu ấy
Trong khung cảnh rất bình yên và nên thơ ấy, “bếp sách” đã chữa lành cho rất nhiều người. Cả khách ghé thăm lẫn nhân viên và cô chủ
“Khi những náo nhiệt và ồn ào của cuộc sống tạm lắng xuống, thay đổi sẽ bắt đầu… Chỉ khi đó, những ngày tháng khổ đau không thể lý giải mới trở nên có ý nghĩa”
Có lẽ lý do mà mình đặc biệt yêu thích “Bếp sách làng Soyang” là vì em í đến với mình đúng thời điểm quá. Lúc đó mình hơi chênh vênh 1 chúc, cảm xúc thường xuyên bị chao đảo và cảm giác bí bách muốn trốn chạy khỏi thực tại. Và “bếp s��ch” trùng hợp lại là nơi lý tưởng mà mình hằng mơ ước
Qua từng câu chuyện xoay quanh các nhân vật trong sách, mình cũng dần được an ủi và vỗ về. Cảm giác như là dù hiện tại bất ổn cũng không sao cả, cứ dừng lại nghỉ ngơi một chút. Dù mình thất bại cũng không sao cả, ai mà chẳng có lúc thất bại chứ. Rồi mình lạc lối hay bị đánh gục cũng không sao cả, một ngày nào đó những nỗi đau này sẽ chấm dứt, và mình sẽ lại tìm thấy bình yên
Cuốn sách dịu dàng, ấm áp và có khả năng chữa lành tâm hồn mình nhiều lắm. Cái ấm áp của câu chữ, của hành động tử tế của các nhân vật, của những ước mơ và hy vọng dần dần lan toả và chạm đến mình. Phần nào đó trong mình cảm thấy biết ơn vì đọc được em sách này
Sách xoay quanh rất nhiều chủ đề: công việc, tình bạn, tình yêu, gia đình, bệnh tâm lý… ngoại trừ phần “đứa trẻ lớn lên” ở gần cuối có hơi gượng ép một chút, các nội dung khác thì mình đều thích. À sách còn khắc hoạ bức tranh thiên nhiên đẹp lắm, 4 mùa xuân, hạ, thu, đồng lần lướt chuyển mình, cũng như sự biến chuyển của con người mình í. Sẽ có những mùa đông u ám và mệt mỏi, nhưng rồi đông qua xuân lại đến, ấm áp và hạnh phúc vẫn sẽ lại tìm đến với mình theo một cách nào đó
“Yu Jin à. trông em rất hạnh phúc”
“Giờ trông em có gì đó rất vững vàng và cũng rất thoải mái nữa. Nói thế nào nhỉ, có lẽ vì em đang được làm chính mình chăng?”
Mình thích “Bếp sách làng Soyang” ngay từ khoảnh khắc đầu tiên thấy em í. Cũng không vì lý do vì đặc biệt, ngoài bìa xinh và tên thì có chữ “sách”
Lúc mới đọc mình nghĩ “bếp sách” chỉ đơn giản là một tiệm sách nào đó thôi. Mà đọc rồi thì khá bất ngờ. Đây là một khu tổ hợp mà bất cứ mọt sách nào cũng ao ước, một quán cafe thơm mùi cafe và bánh ngọt, xung quanh chất đầy những bức tường sách, nhìn ra khung cảnh thiên nhiên xinh đẹp. Chưa dừng ở đó, ở “bếp sách” còn có nhà trọ để bạn ở lại mỗi lần ghé thăm, và cả phòng sáng tác cho những ai cần sự yên tĩnh. Lâu lâu ở đây còn có một vài sự kiện, như cùng nói chuyện về sách, hay những lá thư gửi đến bạn của một năm sau…. Cảm giác như là, nếu “bếp sách” có thật trên đời, mình sẽ muốn ghé thăm và ở lại lâu thật lâu ấy
Trong khung cảnh rất bình yên và nên thơ ấy, “bếp sách” đã chữa lành cho rất nhiều người. Cả khách ghé thăm lẫn nhân viên và cô chủ
“Khi những náo nhiệt và ồn ào của cuộc sống tạm lắng xuống, thay đổi sẽ bắt đầu… Chỉ khi đó, những ngày tháng khổ đau không thể lý giải mới trở nên có ý nghĩa”
Có lẽ lý do mà mình đặc biệt yêu thích “Bếp sách làng Soyang” là vì em í đến với mình đúng thời điểm quá. Lúc đó mình hơi chênh vênh 1 chúc, cảm xúc thường xuyên bị chao đảo và cảm giác bí bách muốn trốn chạy khỏi thực tại. Và “bếp s��ch” trùng hợp lại là nơi lý tưởng mà mình hằng mơ ước
Qua từng câu chuyện xoay quanh các nhân vật trong sách, mình cũng dần được an ủi và vỗ về. Cảm giác như là dù hiện tại bất ổn cũng không sao cả, cứ dừng lại nghỉ ngơi một chút. Dù mình thất bại cũng không sao cả, ai mà chẳng có lúc thất bại chứ. Rồi mình lạc lối hay bị đánh gục cũng không sao cả, một ngày nào đó những nỗi đau này sẽ chấm dứt, và mình sẽ lại tìm thấy bình yên
Cuốn sách dịu dàng, ấm áp và có khả năng chữa lành tâm hồn mình nhiều lắm. Cái ấm áp của câu chữ, của hành động tử tế của các nhân vật, của những ước mơ và hy vọng dần dần lan toả và chạm đến mình. Phần nào đó trong mình cảm thấy biết ơn vì đọc được em sách này
Sách xoay quanh rất nhiều chủ đề: công việc, tình bạn, tình yêu, gia đình, bệnh tâm lý… ngoại trừ phần “đứa trẻ lớn lên” ở gần cuối có hơi gượng ép một chút, các nội dung khác thì mình đều thích. À sách còn khắc hoạ bức tranh thiên nhiên đẹp lắm, 4 mùa xuân, hạ, thu, đồng lần lướt chuyển mình, cũng như sự biến chuyển của con người mình í. Sẽ có những mùa đông u ám và mệt mỏi, nhưng rồi đông qua xuân lại đến, ấm áp và hạnh phúc vẫn sẽ lại tìm đến với mình theo một cách nào đó
“Yu Jin à. trông em rất hạnh phúc”
“Giờ trông em có gì đó rất vững vàng và cũng rất thoải mái nữa. Nói thế nào nhỉ, có lẽ vì em đang được làm chính mình chăng?”
August 25, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'Sayangri Book Kitchen' is a slice-of-life healing book by Kim Jee Hye.
The book offers many humane stories which take place at Soyangri Book Kitchen, a book shop/coffee shop/ hotel in the countryside of South Korea. The imagery was beautiful, and there were many cozy scenes, book references, and tasty dishes.
The stories were also emotional and even though in their chapters the characters were presented and they reached the realization to start the healing process, the final chapters were a nice addition, where the author offered more insight into their healing journey and a nice ending for them.
The writing was enjoyable as well and fitted the story nicely. The pace, however, was a bit slow and there wasn't much action going on, so this book is ideal if you're looking for a sweet, relaxing, and cozy book, but less if you're seeking for a gripping story that'll pull you right in.
'Sayangri Book Kitchen' is a slice-of-life healing book by Kim Jee Hye.
The book offers many humane stories which take place at Soyangri Book Kitchen, a book shop/coffee shop/ hotel in the countryside of South Korea. The imagery was beautiful, and there were many cozy scenes, book references, and tasty dishes.
The stories were also emotional and even though in their chapters the characters were presented and they reached the realization to start the healing process, the final chapters were a nice addition, where the author offered more insight into their healing journey and a nice ending for them.
The writing was enjoyable as well and fitted the story nicely. The pace, however, was a bit slow and there wasn't much action going on, so this book is ideal if you're looking for a sweet, relaxing, and cozy book, but less if you're seeking for a gripping story that'll pull you right in.
November 9, 2025
This book takes place in a South Korean bookshop in a small village in the idyllic countryside. This bookshop is unique in that it also is a bed and breakfast that offers sanctuary to those who are overwhelmed in their lives. This is most definitely a cozy read that is heart warming. It gives us good reminders to slow down, distress, and to connect with those around us. The characters are very likeable and are people you'd like to spend time with. The pacing is perfect. Id definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy, character focused read.
My thanks to Union Square and Co., the author, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
My thanks to Union Square and Co., the author, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
June 4, 2024
Slice of life ttg toko buku, kafe dan penginapan di pedesaan Soyang-ri.
“Soyang-ri Book’s Kitchen”, diharapkan menjadi dapur serba ada utk para pembaca dan penulis. Aku suka interaksi antar tokohnya.
Aku bisa membayangkan bagaimana Yu-jin, Si Woo, Hyeong-jun dan Se Rin, mengelola rumah tua milik Nenek Da-in, menjadi kafe dan penginapan yg sangat nyaman.
Bacaan santai tapi deep. Sekali lagi aku percaya bahwa tiap pembaca bisa menemukan penghiburan dan penyembuhan dari buku. 💕
“Soyang-ri Book’s Kitchen”, diharapkan menjadi dapur serba ada utk para pembaca dan penulis. Aku suka interaksi antar tokohnya.
Aku bisa membayangkan bagaimana Yu-jin, Si Woo, Hyeong-jun dan Se Rin, mengelola rumah tua milik Nenek Da-in, menjadi kafe dan penginapan yg sangat nyaman.
Bacaan santai tapi deep. Sekali lagi aku percaya bahwa tiap pembaca bisa menemukan penghiburan dan penyembuhan dari buku. 💕
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