Bakery café in Ulju, Ulsan with terrace cinnamon rolls: MUG

While on a weekend drive around Eonyang in Ulsan, I stopped by MUG (카페 먹). This time, I sat at an outdoor table and had coffee and bread in the autumn breeze.

Where is MUG, and what is parking like?

The address is 90 Hyangsandagae-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea. It was in a convenient spot to stop during a drive toward Seoknamsa, and after driving a little way into the forest, I reached the café.

The parking lot was as spacious as the café itself. We arrived around noon and left around 4 p.m.; although there seemed to be many cars, there were still spaces available. The hours listed in the original post are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with last orders at 7:30 p.m.

What views and exhibitions are inside?

MUG is a gallery café themed around charred wood that conveys the pain of major forest fires. When I stepped inside, the 9 m-high ceiling and expansive space immediately created an open feeling. Near the entrance was a space that continues to hold exhibitions with various artists.

The interior smelled of freshly baked bread, and wide windows looked out onto open mountain scenery. On the weekend I visited, there was also a bubble event that children enjoyed.

What is the outdoor terrace like on a nice day?

On my first visit, I only used the indoor space, but outside there were also a lake, walking trail, observatory, and metasequoia path. The weather was nice this weekend, so I chose a spot outdoors.

I spent time over coffee and bread at an outdoor table. Tables were set throughout the grounds, so there were plenty of terrace seats. With warm sunlight and cool air together, it was a spot I would remember on another nice day.

What drinks and bakery items were available?

Along with coffee, there were ades, smoothies, and tea. The order was to choose bread from the bakery first, then order drinks.

The signature cinnamon rolls are said to change with the season and ingredients. When we visited in September, there were lemon cream cheese, blueberry, and tiramisu cinnamon rolls.

The tiramisu cinnamon roll was listed as a weekend-only item. There were also many other choices, including salt bread, ciabatta, and cake.

How were the Black Latte and pastries we chose?

We ordered a MUG Black Latte, lemon cream cheese cinnamon roll, almond croissant, and tissue bread.

The MUG Black Latte is a signature drink made with a condensed milk base and cold brew. It was not overly sweet for my taste, so it paired well with dessert.

The lemon cream cheese cinnamon roll combined a rich, sweet cinnamon aroma with the brightness of lemon syrup. Eating it with the cream cheese on top gave me both tangy and sweet flavors. It was worth choosing if you usually enjoy cinnamon rolls.

The almond croissant was topped with powdered sugar and spread inside. It had both a nutty flavor and a crisp texture. The tissue bread could be pulled apart in thin layers like tissue paper, and I dipped it in strawberry jam.

When should you visit on weekends for bakery items?

On the day I visited, most bakery items had sold out after 3 p.m. If you also want to enjoy the bread, I would suggest going around lunchtime, as we did at around noon. However, this sell-out situation reflects my experience on that particular weekend.

The high-ceilinged interior with mountain views at MUG was lovely, but this time, the relaxed time I spent outdoors stayed with me. On a nice day, it was a good place to stop during a drive, have coffee and bread, and rest.