Bommoi: Korean bookstore & cafe

21 July 2023 in BOOKS, EATS, SHOP, SINGAPORE

It’s such a joy when you step inside a cafe or a bookstore and you just know you’ve found your newest favourite place. Sometime in April, after a visit to The Peranakan Museum, I walked past a not yet opened storefront on Armenian Street and learned that a new bookstore was opening soon!

*UPDATE: RELOCATION NOTICE
Bommoi has closed its bookstore and cafe on Armenian Street in March 2025.
New address: Bommoi has moved to Tanjong Pagar at 61A Neil Road.

– Photos and information in this post are from Bommoi’s Armenian Street space. –

To me, any bookstore opening is news that’s worth celebrating! But this bookstore is Bommoi, a Korean bookstore and cafe, a very welcome addition to the Civic District/Museum District area in Central Singapore. :) The first time I stepped inside, I was delighted by the lovely shop, the friendly owners, the relaxing cafe, large windows and even though the book selection offers a limited selection of English titles, I had already discovered a new (to me) book that caught my eye. :)

I actually came back the very next day and bought the book haha! I also had a nice chat with the owners about the book, the series it was a part of, the other titles they had in stock and bought a pot of tea to enjoy my new book at the cafe area. :) This place is already one of my favourite discoveries of 2023!

As it is a Korean bookstore, and one that specialises in children’s picture books, do note that majority (I’d say 80%) of the titles are in Korean. There is a small selection of books in English and my personal choice was a Korean (with English translation) guidebook that focuses on exploring different cities of South Korea. It’s part of a series titled “so.dosi” and I picked up the first book “so.jongno”, focused on sharing about the Jongno District in central Seoul.

The owners not only shared about the book series with me, but also shared about the teas they served at the cafe, which are Korean tea brands that are all new to me! My first visit, I tried a yuzu rooibos tea from tea brand Chasigan (S$9.50), which came served in a pot and two pieces of yakgwa, which I learned are traditional Korean honey cookies – I loved them! :)

The friendly owner also recommended another tea latte with cocoa flavours to me from tea brand altdif (S$9.50) and I told her I’ll come back next time and try it! Which I did, of course, returning another day with a book, because to me, one of the most perfect ways to spend an afternoon is with a book, tea, in a cafe and air conditioning. :)

I think a quality that always stands out to me with all my favourite places is when you can feel the sincere passion and heart that was put into it. You can’t exactly put a finger on it, but you can feel it, you know what I mean?

Bommoi is one of those places I would love to keep to myself, but I must share it, because lovely places should be shared and I feel like there must be others like me who would love a place like this. :) If you enjoy peaceful vibes and love a good bookstore/cafe like I do, do check this one out! In addition to books, they sell gifts and stationery too. I just might pick up the pencil that caught my eye next time. :)

Bommoi [*Please note: Bommoi has relocated!]
Address: 61A Neil Road, Singapore 088895

Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm
Closed on Monday & Tuesday.

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