SOHN

In an unassuming gray building, there’s often a line to get into SOHN. The self-described community space, less than a year old, features a Korean-inspired cafe. It’s a place to hang out, without cover charge or minimum purchase. Stay as long as you like, bring your laptop, meet your book club, arrange flowers into a bouquet or just sit and stare.

SOHN is a love letter to Korean Americans, led by Janet Lee and Chef Deuki Hong. Lee, who grew up in the Sunset District, has fond memories of visiting Koreatowns in Los Angeles and New York City, but never found a similar community in San Francisco. She set out to make the Korean American experience accessible for anyone, but with a whiff of nostalgia for Korean Americans. To realize this vision, designers and artists helped shape the space’s interior, including furniture and lighting.

“Calling ourselves a gathering space is a fairly new concept, and we’re hoping to educate people on it,” Lee said. 

A popular menu item, the banana oat milk latte, is a nod to what Lee described as the Korean Capri Sun: banana milk. Unlike most cafés – which typically charge an extra 50 cents to more than $1 for almond, soy, or oat milk – there’s no upcharge for non-dairy milk. Caffeine levels are customizable through brewing techniques and product choices.

The cafe is open from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon.  Outside these hours SOHN hosts workshops and events led by Korean Americans, such as for Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. 

Lee was initially attracted to Dogpatch by its building stock. The size and availability of two-stories at the location she settled on led her to develop a cafe that functions as a community space. The unique floor plan enabled the creation of an industrial kitchen and ample seating.

“When I was growing up, no one really talked about Dogpatch as a neighborhood. It used to be strictly for industrial warehouses,” Lee said. “More businesses and restaurants are popping up. There’s space to host, and the area is buzzing.”

According to Lee, Dogpatch residents have been extremely supportive, with neighboring shop owners coming by on opening day to cheer them on.

In Korean, sohn means hands. An ethos, Lee explained, which guides the team; building a community is a collective effort.