sōhn published by daylon hicks

Sōhn (손), the Korean-inspired café and community space that opened on August 16, 2025, quickly became more than just a place to gather. It established itself as a space where people can build deeper connections, celebrate culture, and reimagine what community means in a modern context. through thoughtful programming and events, they plan to create opportunities for people to come together and grow in meaningful ways.

The space itself feels warm and inviting, blending minimal design with soft details that encourage comfort and openness. natural textures, calming tones, and intentional touches create an atmosphere where people feel at ease. Whether people are meeting with friends, working quietly, or simply pausing to reflect. in every way, the space offers more than what’s on the surface level, it offers a sense of belonging.

Co-founded by Chef Deuki Hong and managing partner Janet Lee, Sōhn was created with the belief that food and shared spaces can be tools for connection that pushes the community of San Francisco further. The café is rooted in the idea of forming community not just around coffee, but around the deeper values of gathering, storytelling, and cultural exchange.

By celebrating Korean culture through food, art, and design, they offers an environment where tradition and modern creativity meet. Every element, from the menu to the subtle design choices throughout the space invites people to engage with culture in a way that feels authentic, inclusive, and inspiring. In this way, it is not only a café, but also a living space for community and cultural expression. Their recent collaboration with Free Bread INTL and Adidas for a two-mile run, held in celebration of their grand opening, further reflects this feeling. The event brought people together through movement, culture, and shared experience, highlighting the café’s vision of connection both inside and beyond its walls.

As they continue to grow, it remains dedicated to deepening its role as a cultural and community hub in San Francisco. Through food, art, and collaboration, it strives to create experiences that not only bring people together but also celebrate the richness of Korean culture in ways that feel both timeless and new. More than a café, it is a place where people can return again and again to find comfort, connection, and inspiration.