Kim Soyoung
Vegan bakery cafe, "Apbbang" CEO
Introduction
Hello, I'm Kim So-young, and I run the vegan bakery cafe "Apbbang," where we care about the health of both people and the planet.
Before running this vegan cafe, I used to teach students at a school. However, after experiencing some health issues, I was inspired by the idea that "what I eat makes me." I wanted to create healthier food that I and my family could enjoy and share it with more people, so I started this vegan bakery cafe.
I believe that the philosophy of veganism, which can protect not only people's health but also the health of the Earth, is a worthwhile endeavor for me to begin my second chapter in life. At Apbbang, we pursue "9-Free," believing that the more we eliminate, the healthier our food becomes, bringing small moments of happiness to our bodies and minds. With a happy heart, I bake every day.
*9-Free: No butter, milk, eggs, refined wheat flour, white rice, refined sugar, refined salt, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), preservatives & artificial colors
Highlight
Certified Vegan Baking Instructor
Certified Raw Food Instructor
7 years of experience running the vegan bakery cafe, "Apbbang"
What to expect while doing this
One day, I found a message scribbled in the cafe's guestbook that read, "Thank you for making a cake that I can eat." The author of the message was an elementary school student with a dairy allergy. She had always received birthday cakes made of rice cakes, but after receiving her first birthday cake made of bread from Apbbang, she left a thank-you note. I can't express how grateful I felt after reading that message.
It's not just customers with allergies, but also those who need to eat vegan cakes because they are vegan or those who need cakes made with healthier ingredients while battling cancer. Knowing that I am doing something meaningful that is essential for someone gives me the strength to bake happily, even though it can be physically demanding.
Interview
Q. What are some of your most memorable places and experiences in nature in Korea?
I don't have a particularly memorable place, but isn't nature like a mother's warm embrace? That's why our bodies and minds feel healed in nature. I, too, want to create food that resembles nature in that way.
Q. What does nature mean to you?
I believe that nature is directly connected to the health of people and the planet. Food that is less processed and contains fewer artificial additives, in its natural state, can give people the gift of health. Refined and processed foods cause modern people to suffer from illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Similarly, I believe that the more we leave nature as it is, the healthier the Earth becomes, and only when the Earth is healthy can we, who live on it, also be healthy.
Q. What do you want people to take away from the experience and healing you provide?
I believe that the food I eat becomes my body, and that the best seasoning is a sincere heart, so I create vegan food with that in mind. If someone feels a small moment of happiness after eating Apbbang's food made in this way, I couldn't ask for anything more.
If I were to be a little more ambitious, I would want to continue sharing the value of vegan food that resembles nature, considering the health of both people and the planet, with more people through vegan cafes and vegan one-day classes, just as I have been doing. And I hope that this value will be shared for a long time.
Kim Soyoung
Vegan bakery cafe, "Apbbang" CEO
Introduction
Hello, I'm Kim So-young, and I run the vegan bakery cafe "Apbbang," where we care about the health of both people and the planet.
Before running this vegan cafe, I used to teach students at a school. However, after experiencing some health issues, I was inspired by the idea that "what I eat makes me." I wanted to create healthier food that I and my family could enjoy and share it with more people, so I started this vegan bakery cafe.
I believe that the philosophy of veganism, which can protect not only people's health but also the health of the Earth, is a worthwhile endeavor for me to begin my second chapter in life. At Apbbang, we pursue "9-Free," believing that the more we eliminate, the healthier our food becomes, bringing small moments of happiness to our bodies and minds. With a happy heart, I bake every day.
*9-Free: No butter, milk, eggs, refined wheat flour, white rice, refined sugar, refined salt, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), preservatives & artificial colors
Highlight
Certified Vegan Baking Instructor
Certified Raw Food Instructor
7 years of experience running the vegan bakery cafe, "Apbbang"
What to expect while doing this
One day, I found a message scribbled in the cafe's guestbook that read, "Thank you for making a cake that I can eat." The author of the message was an elementary school student with a dairy allergy. She had always received birthday cakes made of rice cakes, but after receiving her first birthday cake made of bread from Apbbang, she left a thank-you note. I can't express how grateful I felt after reading that message.
It's not just customers with allergies, but also those who need to eat vegan cakes because they are vegan or those who need cakes made with healthier ingredients while battling cancer. Knowing that I am doing something meaningful that is essential for someone gives me the strength to bake happily, even though it can be physically demanding.
Interview
Q. What are some of your most memorable places and experiences in nature in Korea?
I don't have a particularly memorable place, but isn't nature like a mother's warm embrace? That's why our bodies and minds feel healed in nature. I, too, want to create food that resembles nature in that way.
Q. What does nature mean to you?
I believe that nature is directly connected to the health of people and the planet. Food that is less processed and contains fewer artificial additives, in its natural state, can give people the gift of health. Refined and processed foods cause modern people to suffer from illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Similarly, I believe that the more we leave nature as it is, the healthier the Earth becomes, and only when the Earth is healthy can we, who live on it, also be healthy.
Q. What do you want people to take away from the experience and healing you provide?
I believe that the food I eat becomes my body, and that the best seasoning is a sincere heart, so I create vegan food with that in mind. If someone feels a small moment of happiness after eating Apbbang's food made in this way, I couldn't ask for anything more.
If I were to be a little more ambitious, I would want to continue sharing the value of vegan food that resembles nature, considering the health of both people and the planet, with more people through vegan cafes and vegan one-day classes, just as I have been doing. And I hope that this value will be shared for a long time.