Crop to Cup Series - Meet Sung from Akin, Doubles, and Lux

Meet Sung, the dynamic owner behind not one, but three of Christchurch’s most beloved cafes. Sung shares how him and his team work like swans and reveals exciting plans for 2025. Read on to find out more.

Hi Sung! Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
Hello, my name is Sung. I'm originally from South Korea and have been living in New Zealand for 12 years now - which wasn’t something I had originally planned. I run three cafes in the Christchurch CBD; Akin, Doubles Cafe, and Lux Espresso.


What’s the why behind your cafe, Akin and how did it come to be?
People often think I have a big strategy and a clear plan for the future, but in reality, I just focus on my work and make the most of good opportunities when they come up. When the QB Studios team approached me, I saw the potential in the site and the building. It felt like opening a café there would be a great addition to the city, and that's how Akin came to be.


Your three cafes have a wonderful atmosphere and community spirit – how do you achieve this?
We're like swans on a pond (haha)—customers can't always see the hard work and effort we're putting in underneath to create a positive vibe and maintain a great working environment. Building a strong team takes a lot of effort. It’s all about having the right people in the right roles at the right time, and when that happens, things tend to work really well.


As a business owner, how do you approach sustainability day-to-day?
Sustainability can be a tricky topic, but we really focus on minimising waste. For example, if we have excess food, we donate it to the Kairos Food Bank so it can be shared with people in need.


What's your favourite oat drink?
My go-to is an iced latte with oat milk—it's always an easy choice, and it's definitely a favourite among the team at our cafés as well.


What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
In 2025, Akin will be expanding the café with more seating. I'm really looking forward to it and hope it brings even more people through the door next year.