Ulsan sandwich café: ham vs. Mexican beef at Benetto (베네또)

Where is Benetto near Ulsan City Hall?

Benetto is across from Ulsan City Hall, on the first floor at 4 Jungang-ro 213beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea (울산광역시 남구 중앙로213번길 4 1층). The original post lists its hours as 08:00–19:00, with Sundays closed.

I stopped in while looking for a quick bite after a training session. With grilled sandwiches and sandwiches on hearth-baked bread to have with coffee, it looked like a good option for a light lunch or brunch.

The yellow Benetto sign on the red-brick building made it easy to find. That day, I had the jambon sandwich on hearth-baked bread, the Mexican beef grilled sandwich, and peach iced tea.

It looked as though roadside parking in front of the café was allowed between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. I didn't confirm this, though, so you'll need to check before parking there.

What is the seating like for a quick solo meal?

Inside, the wood-toned interior and large windows along one side made the space feel bright and open.

The tables weren't packed too closely together, so it seemed comfortable for a quick meal alone or brunch and a chat with someone. During my visit, it was a pleasant place to sit quietly, rest, and eat.

How much are the sandwiches and drinks?

There was a selection of coffee and tea, and the sandwich menu focused on grilled sandwiches. These are the items and prices listed in the original post.

• Mexican beef grilled sandwich: ₩10,000
• Barbecue chicken grilled sandwich: ₩9,000
• Peach iced tea: ₩4,000

They also sold a jambon sandwich on hearth-baked bread for ₩9,000. After seeing the sandwiches in the display case, I decided to try both the jambon and Mexican beef.

There was also a self-service station where you could help yourself to any extra supplies you needed.

How does the jambon sandwich on hearth-baked bread taste?

When the jambon sandwich arrived, the bread was bigger than I had expected. The hearth-baked bread had an uneven surface and held a generous amount of thinly sliced jambon.

Each bite brought plenty of jambon along with the bread. A crunchy topping here and there added some variety to the texture.

Overall, the flavor was relatively mild, with nothing overpowering. If you like hearth-baked bread or jambon, it would be an easy choice. I found it fine, too.

I also appreciated the pocket-style disposable gloves they provided with the sandwiches.

Would I choose jambon or Mexican beef again?

If I were ordering just one of the two again, I'd choose the Mexican beef grilled sandwich. It arrived warm, with beef, cheese, and sauce between the bread, giving it a richer flavor than the jambon. Eaten warm, the cheese and sauce went well with the beef.

The cut halves showed a generous filling, too. I alternated between the two sandwiches but reached for the Mexican beef more often. If you like warm meat and rich flavors, or want a filling meal, this would probably suit you better. The sauce and cheese could easily get on my hands, so the disposable gloves made it easier to eat.

The peach iced tea was refreshing between bites of the warm, rich Mexican beef sandwich. I ate by the large windows looking toward Ulsan City Hall, and it was a comfortable spot for a simple solo meal and a short break.