Salmon cobb salad and ciabatta at Ilgwang brunch café Mandali To Go

Where is Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch?

Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch (만달리 투고 일광점) is a brunch café in Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan (the original post gives the address as 29 Hoenggye-gil). Drive a little inland from Ilgwang Beach and you reach a quiet, peaceful spot. It sits slightly off the crowded, traffic-jammed coastal strip, so parking is much easier and you can eat at a relaxed pace, which is exactly why I love the location.

As a Gijang local, I really adore this place, and it's the one I think of every weekend or day off. The weather is so good these days, perfect for a seaside walk or a drive, right? I found this Gijang brunch café that's great to stop by on a trip to Ilgwang, so here's my post about it.

The first thing that greets you is the exterior, and it feels warm and cozy, doesn't it? The interior blends in with nature, which really stands out.

There's plenty of private parking, so even beginner drivers can visit without any parking stress. That's a big plus.

Imported grocery corner and fresh flowers on the tables

Step inside Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch and the first thing you notice is the colorful imported grocery section. From De Cecco pasta to Rummo pasta, plus all kinds of organic olive oil and basil pesto!

Browsing the ingredients one by one was surprisingly fun. If you love cooking or are into home cafés, I think you could spend a long time here looking around.

Every table also has pretty fresh flowers, and you could tell they'd paid attention to even the small details. Bold red roses and bright pink blooms lift the mood of the space and made me feel fresh before the meal even started.

After studying the menu carefully, we ordered a bit of everything, from salad to sandwiches to pasta. Many dishes at Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch aren't harsh or heavily seasoned and let the ingredients' own flavors shine, so they're easy and comfortable to enjoy.

Everything we ordered

First out was a refreshing ade! The yellow-to-pink gradient is a work of art, isn't it? Sweet fruit syrup (cheong) is layered at the bottom and crisp fizz fills the top, and it did a great job of whetting the appetite before the meal.

And here's our whole order, all set out! The big table was packed with a generous, varied spread. The food looked so good that everyone, as if by agreement, got busy taking photos first. Among Gijang brunch cafés, this one is definitely among those with the prettiest, neatest plating.

Salmon cobb salad

This salmon cobb salad is one of my top picks to recommend first. It has diced fresh raw salmon, well-ripened avocado, cherry tomatoes, peas, sweet corn, black olives, boiled egg, and crispy fried onion flakes for texture! I usually prefer a clean, fresh seafood-based salad over heavy ones with meat (especially pork), so this suited my taste perfectly. The ingredients are so good that just mixing it all together gives a rich, nutty flavor. The quality lives up to the title of Ilgwang Beach's best eats.

Tomato soup and baguette

Warm soup and baguette are a must for brunch. Dunk a baguette that's crispy outside and soft inside into the smooth, rich tomato soup and you feel nicely full.

Two kinds of ciabatta sandwiches

Next is the cross-section of the ciabatta sandwich! The bread isn't tough but plain and chewy, and really good. The filling is generously packed with fresh arugula, cheese and chicken breast, so the nutritional balance is great too. Add a little of the fresh mini salad and the housemade basil pesto served on the side, take a bite, and the flavor doubles.

This was the other ciabatta sandwich, filled with tender beef and sautéed mushrooms, and the deep savory umami burst out the more I chewed. The salty Grana Padano cheese sprinkled on top went wonderfully with the hearty filling.

Arugula pasta

The pasta piled high like a mountain with fresh arugula was another must-try. The sweet and spicy sauce, with crispy flakes adding fun texture, soaked into every bit of the noodles, and I cleared the plate without getting tired of it right to the last bite.

They've started group lunchboxes too

As we left after a lovely meal, I saw a standing sign at the entrance of Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch reading "Mandali group lunchboxes now available." The line "A well-made meal, packed in a lunchbox" and the photos of tightly packed boxes were impressive. For a seminar at a nearby company, a private gathering, or an outing, ordering these upscale brunch lunchboxes in bulk would surely earn you praise for being thoughtful.

Final thoughts

If you want to enjoy healthy, tasty food at a leisurely pace in a pretty space with a nice atmosphere, definitely stop by Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch. Gijang has plenty of restaurants and cafés, but places serving such carefully made, gentle-on-the-stomach meals are rarer than you'd think. It's great for a date, but I also thought I should come back soon when I drive my parents out to Gijang for some fresh air.

If you're looking for a proper Gijang brunch café, a no-fail Ilgwang Beach eatery, I wholeheartedly recommend Mandali!