Ulju bakery café with outdoor seats: MUG

Where did we rest after walking at Hongryu Falls?

On a weekend afternoon, I stopped by MUG (카페 먹) with friends after visiting Hongryu Falls. The round trip from the Yeongnam Alps Complex Center to the falls took about 30 minutes, and we walked while taking in the valley and waterfall.

After finishing the walk, we wanted bread and cold drinks. We looked around nearby and drove about 13 minutes to MUG.

What are the location and parking like?

MUG is at 90 Hyangsan-dagae-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea. The original post lists its hours as 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

When we arrived, the large parking area and building blended into the surrounding scenery. Parking was easy, and the place already felt unhurried before we went inside.

Soap bubbles were drifting around the entrance. It was nearly 4 p.m., but there were still many people using the café.

What views and exhibition can you see inside?

MUG was created on land where landscaping trees had been grown for more than 20 years; after a wildfire, trees were replanted and cared for here. I was impressed by how nature could be felt throughout the space, and I could also view exhibited works in the art gallery.

From the window seats, I could enjoy bread and drinks while looking out at the green scenery. Since it was the weekend, I also saw many families.

Can you choose a wide range of bread on a weekend afternoon?

By the time we arrived, many breads had sold out, so there were fewer choices than I expected. If choosing bread is the main purpose of the visit, I would go a little earlier on weekends.

The types left at the time included an injeolmi roll (rice cake powder roll), Lamington cake, and blueberry cream cheese cinnamon roll. I had heard that the blueberry cream cheese cinnamon roll was popular, and there was only one left.

After taking photos and looking around, the last cinnamon roll was gone too, so I did not get to try it. There were also white rolls being prepared, but as it was getting close to dinner, we decided to have only the injeolmi roll.

How do you order, and which drinks did we choose?

You place the bread you want on a tray yourself, then order it with drinks at the counter. There were many smoothie options, so we mainly chose smoothies that day.

We ordered an iced Americano, MUG lemon smoothie, strawberry yogurt smoothie, and plum smoothie. I usually like the scent of plums, so I was especially curious about the plum smoothie, which was a seasonal menu item during my visit.

What was it like to relax at the outdoor tables?

We were told that the drinks would take about 15 minutes, so we looked around outside while waiting. There were tables throughout the grounds, and I could see the trees and green scenery up close.

The breeze was cool, so we sat outside and ate the injeolmi roll first. Then raindrops began to fall, so we reluctantly moved indoors.

What did the smoothies I tried taste like?

The MUG lemon smoothie came in a clear cup, while the other drinks came in cups in MUG's style. The plum smoothie I had been looking forward to had the fragrant, tart flavor distinctive to plums, and I liked it.

The strawberry yogurt smoothie was smooth and sweet, and it went well with the bread. The lemon smoothie was also refreshing, and I thought it would be good on a hot day.

MUG, where we stopped after our walk, remains memorable as a place where I could rest while looking at nature.

The space was large and had a relaxed atmosphere, making it a good place to spend time with friends, and I think it would also suit a date. Next time, I would like to visit with my parents. To try the blueberry cream cheese cinnamon roll I missed this time, I will need to come a little earlier.