We recently had the chance to connect with Soonkack Kook and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Soonkack, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes—watching Un Caffè steadily grow into a modern “penny house.” In the 1600s, some coffeehouses were called “penny universities”: for the price of a penny, you got coffee and a place to exchange ideas, learn, and meet people. That spirit is exactly what I’m chasing today.
Good coffee at a coffee shop is a given. The bigger goal is creating a space where people can work, meet, and cross paths. I don’t want the bar to feel gatekept or intimidating—no snobbish vibes. Sometimes I get feedback that the shop can be loud; I’m okay with that. The buzz comes from conversations, and that energy means people are actually connecting.
I host frequent pop-ups and workshops—even from businesses that overlap with what we sell. I brew coffee; if a coffee cart wants to pop up, I welcome them. We serve matcha; if a matcha brand wants to teach or sample, my doors are open. For me, it’s one day. For them, it’s visibility, new followers, and a comfortable indoor space—air-conditioned, not a farmers market in 110°F Texas heat.
When I started, I needed a boost and didn’t know where to ask. Now that more people visit the shop and follow our Instagram, I want to use that reach to lift others. I keep prices fair while serving the best coffee I can, and I set aside a monthly donation for coffee-growing communities—especially in the African origins we source from.
Many shops talk about community; I’m trying to live it: giving entrepreneurs the spotlight on our Instagram feed, offering the space after hours for workshops (even if that means I stay late), and celebrating their wins. Seeing their success makes me look for more ways to help.
My goal is for Un Caffè to be a true, modern penny house—a place where great coffee fuels opportunity, learning, and generosity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Soonkack Kook, founder of Un Caffè in Houston. I left a career in software leadership to build a conversation-first coffee bar—precision in the cup, warmth at the bar. I’m an SCA AST and dual Q Grader, and I design approachable classes that turn curiosity into skill. Our space is intentionally built for collisions—a long, open bar where freelancers, artists, and founders actually meet. This year I’m focused on three things: expanding hands-on education (espresso, sensory, cupping), growing a “Local Entrepreneurs” spotlight series, and developing a roasted-grain & regional-matcha concept that broadens what a café can be. Expect meticulous coffee, zero fuss, and a lively room where good work—and good ideas—get done.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. He was a blue-collar steelworker on a blast furnace—hot, loud, and relentless—and he showed me the dignity in hard work. He was funny, generous, and humble. I once watched him tell a mechanic, “I don’t know anything about cars, I trust you,” even though his first job was as a mechanic. He didn’t need to prove he knew more; humility was his default.
People loved being around him—his jokes were never at someone’s expense, and he picked up the tab more than he should have. His work ethic was unshakable: he’s 82 and still working. Even on “vacation,” he’d spend nights at the computer fixing issues. As a kid, I disliked that. Now I see him in me—show up, serve people, own problems, keep your ego in check.
He taught me the attitude I bring to Un Caffè: work hard, stay humble, and be generous.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering stripped things down to what matters. It taught me boundaries with toxic people and the courage to leave rooms that dim my spirit. It taught me patience—how to sit with uncertainty instead of forcing quick fixes—and humility, because sometimes the only honest words are “I don’t know” and “please help.” Starting over in a new country and language showed me resilience isn’t loud; it’s showing up again tomorrow. Hard seasons also sharpened empathy: everyone is carrying something, so lead with kindness. And it reset my gratitude—ordinary days, a good meal, laughter with friends—these became riches. Success gave me confidence; suffering gave me character, perspective, and a quieter, sturdier kind of joy.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
They’re over-optimizing for money and under-investing in trust. Not everything valuable shows up on a spreadsheet. I give entrepreneurs my space for free for workshops or pop-ups, and I’ll consult for free if they need advice. The “return” looks soft—until life tests you.
During a hurricane, when I was selling coffee out of a truck alone, customers drove across town to support me. They brought missing equipment. They have helped package beans, dropped off snacks and lunch boxes, even vitamins and cold medicine when I got sick. People do that because they feel seen—not because of a coupon.
Generosity scales differently: it compounds as loyalty, resilience, and real community. If you chase dollars first, you might miss the relationships that create durable value. Money follows trust; not the other way around.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I kept the room alive. That Un Caffè was never the same twice—new drinks, new events, new pop-ups, new workshops, new collaborations—and always new people to meet. I want to be remembered as someone who built a space where strangers became regulars, regulars became friends, and real conversations happened over a truly good cup of coffee. If the story is that I made it easier for people to find one another, feel welcome, and leave a little better than they arrived—that’s enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://un-caffe.com
- Instagram: un.caffe.roastery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084031447112
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/un-caffe-houston?osq=un+caffe
