Organic Danish Dishes With A Polish Twist
SEKS BAKERY & EATERY
Funky food with zero-waste? Count me in! Read more about this hidden gem right in the heart of the Danish capital.
Spotted on a quiet street corner in Copenhagen’s centre resides a colorful, eclectic breakfast hangout filled with endless funky tunes, travel books and a daily case of fluffy cheesecake. I sat down with traveler, owner and chef Jan Pawlak to talk about the story behind him and his wife’s, Monika, café turned most playful breakfast site in Denmark’s foodie capital.
Opened in 2012, “La Ruina” was dynamic duo, Monika and Jan’s first coffee shop. Situated on an abandoned street in Poznan, Poland, Monika and Jan were new, bold business owners with a dream much larger than a cup of coffee. Raised in Poland, they sought to not only make Poznan a better city, but Monika always dreamed of opening her own coffee shop and bakery. Amidst high crime rates and unsteady economic times, the couple successfully opened and operated the 25 square meter coffee shop, “La Ruina,” for several years taking the town by storm. While neither had a culinary background or professional training, Jan and Monika transformed “La Ruina” into a local favorite, and residents soon after raved about Monika’s infamous cheesecake. In our interview, Jan mentioned the businesses on the entire street in Poznan today sells cheesecakes thanks to Monika’s delicious dish.
Just a brief two years later, the couple opened their second restaurant next door called “Raj” meaning “Paradise” in Polish. Once these two businesses were managed well, Jan and Monika hit the road and traveled through Patagonia all the way to Canada. Their travels brought them from South to North Americas where Jan and Monika were exposed to various sights, scents, and cuisine. Arriving back from their trip , they decided to relocate and combine both businesses, making one successful restaurant. Two kids and a pandemic later, the couple decided they were ready for a shift.
According to Jan, in May of 2020, the couple did not initially decide to settle in Copenhagen. Having traversed to Canada the previous years, Jan and Monika were set to move there in 2020; however, with Canada’s strict immigration restrictions and borders closed, they chose Copenhagen as their new abode. “Easy going, chill, and nice” as Jan would describe Copenhagen, they admired that people in the city “follow the rules” unlike in Poland. Having visited before, the couple also admired Copenhagen’s sprouting food scene. According to Jan, however, the move to Denmark was still considered a bit spontaneous. Thus, after settling their kids in school and moving to Denmark, in May 2021 Monika and Jan came across Danish fashion designer, Henrik Vibskov’s store for sale. It felt instantly right according to Jan, so they jumped at the opportunity. By May 2021, Seks, translated in Danish as the number six, was born.
The cozy, colorful and intimate atmosphere can be felt instantly walking inside the restaurant as the waiters at the counter and chefs in the open kitchen greet you with a smile. Jan emphasized the importance of saying hello from the kitchen when customers first walk in, making visitors feel more connected and comfortable in the space. When asking Jan about the interior décor of this shop, he stated that every piece of furniture, book, sculpture, and other treasure in the restaurant is carefully selected and collected with a story from their travels abroad. Additionally, all the detailed wood tables and counter were apart of a collaboration between Jan and his carpenter from Poland, making the design even more genuine.
Success from Seks is an accident according to Jan. Within less than three years in town, Seks has spent zero dollars on advertising and has gained an Instagram following of over 26,000. All the recommendations have been through word of mouth. As non-Danes, Monika and Jan’s ultimate aim with Seks is to celebrate people from around the world as it’s a universal place. No matter where you are from, all are welcome. Being an outsider is tough, but it is also what makes Seks stand out. Compared to other Danish cafés, the colors are more vibrant, the music is more provocative, and the staff is more outgoing, and interestingly unlike other Copenhagen cafés, there remains no croissants on the menu! While Seks’ food and atmosphere might not be everyone’s taste, it stands as a local place loved by many nearby residents and visitors alike. So, does standing out help after all, and are all accidents bad? Not for Monika and Jan. Check out this cozy oasis hidden in the centre of Copenhagen and make sure to snag a slice of Monika’s delicious cheesecake and creamy eggs when you order. Oh, and be sure to say hej!
All photographs captured by Grace G.
“Monika and Jan’s ultimate aim with Seks is to celebrate people from around the world as it’s a universal place. No matter where you are from, all are welcome. ”
Information
Where: Krystalgade 6, 1172 København Danmark
What time: 9-18 everyday except Wednesdays
Tip!
Go early or you might find difficulty spotting a table and try to sit on the couch! It feels like sitting in your living room with a great view of the entire restaurant. And, bonus for people watching.
Check out their website: https://www.sekscph.com