Gyeongju night-view café and mugwort injeolmi latte: Bonghwangdang

There's a café that made the evening of this Gyeongju trip so warm and cozy, and I wanted to introduce it! Let's head to Cafe Bonghwangdang on Hwangnidang-gil, where a gorgeous panoramic view of Gyeongju's thousand years unfolds right in front of you ^^

• Location: Between Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Hwangnidang-gil
• Name: Cafe Bonghwangdang
• Address: 737 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
• Hours: 08:30–22:00
• Parking: Large lot next to the café

Where is Cafe Bonghwangdang, and how far is the walk from Daereungwon?

Cafe Bonghwangdang is 3–5 minutes from Daereungwon and Hwangnidang-gil, and there's a large parking lot right next to the building. On my last Gyeongju trip I couldn't visit because of construction, so seeing it all lit up tonight was a relief. It's a great spot to stop by when you need a rest after wandering both attractions.

Stepping inside, you get an antique feel alongside exposed-concrete interiors — modern and stylish at once!

At Cafe Bonghwangdang near Daereungwon on Hwangnidang-gil, you can also see the various house-made desserts — the Bonghwangdang yeonhwagwa set, sumakse cookie set, chestnut red bean, yuja, matcha, mugwort, and walnut-black sesame yeonhwagwa, the Bonghwang mini cheesecake 4-piece set, and more. If you're wondering what souvenir to buy on your Gyeongju trip, it's worth a visit here.

They sell not just coffee and tea but also beer and wine, so it seems like a nice spot for a light drink while taking in the Gyeongju night view.

What can you see from the second-floor window seats at Cafe Bonghwangdang?

The highlight of Cafe Bonghwangdang is the panoramic window seating where all of Gyeongju comes into view. On one side of the 2nd floor you see the street in front of Daereungwon, and on the other, green lawns. Isn't it truly beautiful??

My mom and aunts looked out the window and said it felt like time had stopped, that they loved the view so much.

One side of the 2nd floor gives a full view of the street in front of Daereungwon,

and the other side looks out onto green lawns! You'll understand once you visit — the café's atmosphere is really something.

Cafe Bonghwangdang menu and prices

Cafe Bonghwangdang's signature menu items — Bonghwang coffee, milk tea parfait, and matcha parfait — are ₩8,500 each. Dessert set prices are below.

• Bonghwang coffee / milk tea parfait / matcha parfait ₩8,500
• Bonghwangdang yeonhwagwa set ₩20,000
• Sumakse cookie set ₩26,000
• Bonghwang mini cheesecake 4-piece set ₩18,000
• Croissant jambon beurre set ₩13,500

Honest review: black sesame and mugwort injeolmi cream lattes with the yeonhwagwa set

That day at Cafe Bonghwangdang, we ordered a black sesame cream latte, a mugwort injeolmi cream latte, chamomile tea, and the Bonghwangdang yeonhwagwa set.

After a short wait, the lattes and tea arrived!

Sipping a delicious tea and dessert while looking out at Gyeongju's stone walls and lawn evening view... the view without any tall buildings really puts your mind at ease. The music playing was so good too, and being with people I love made me truly happy.

The black sesame cream latte had a lovely nutty flavor — not sweet, focused on the taste of milk and black sesame, and my mom said it was really nice for her palate.

This is the mugwort injeolmi (rice cake) cream latte I ordered! Stir well with the straw and spoon so everything mixes down to the bottom~

With its subtle mugwort aroma, chewy injeolmi, and a cream latte that wasn't too sweet, it was right up my alley. It was a delicious latte with its distinct flavor really coming through 😋

Five Bonghwangdang yeonhwagwa flavors that make a good Gyeongju souvenir

Isn't the handmade yeonhwagwa set pretty in both shape and presentation?? For anyone wondering what souvenir or return gift to buy on their Gyeongju trip, I'd definitely recommend these handmade yeonhwagwa.

The yeonhwagwa came in 5 flavors — chestnut red bean, yuja, matcha, mugwort, and black sesame — so it was nice getting to enjoy five different tastes. With a storage period of up to 3 days refrigerated or 20 days frozen, there's plenty of leeway to buy them in Gyeongju and take them home.

With delicious dessert, a cup of tea, and a gorgeous Gyeongju night view added on top, it doesn't get much better than this! Personally, the chestnut red bean and black sesame flavors were my favorites~ This yeonhwagwa set isn't too sweet and has great flavor, so I think older family members would really enjoy it too 😍

Three sisters, all smiles, saying how happy they were thanks to their son and nephew! Let's do this again sometime~

Who will enjoy Cafe Bonghwangdang most?

With Gyeongju's Hwangnidang-gil and Daereungwon both within a 5-minute walk, Cafe Bonghwangdang is a great place to stop when you need a sugar or caffeine boost after touring both spots! They sell tea, coffee, and desserts as well as beer and wine, so I'd recommend Cafe Bonghwangdang to anyone wanting to spend a relaxed moment gazing out at a beautiful Gyeongju view. I'd definitely visit again ^^