Rainy-day fog view of Ulsanbawi at Sokcho mountain café Cafe Neorae

Visiting Cafe Neorae, a Seoraksan café in Sokcho, on a rainy day

After eating a hearty meal and checking out an exhibition at Pinodia, I started craving caffeine. Normally I'd head straight for an ocean-view café, but since it was drizzling that day, the seaside felt a bit chilly for some reason. So instead of the sea, I went to Cafe Neorae, a Seoraksan café with a mountain view of Ulsanbawi rock.

Cafe Neorae

📍 강원특별자치도 속초시 원암학사평길 114 2F

One of the first things that comes to mind with Sokcho is the scenery of Seoraksan and Ulsanbawi. The Ambrosia at Sono Calm Delpino is a famous café with a view of Ulsanbawi, but if you're looking for somewhere less crowded and more relaxed, I'd recommend this place instead.

Where the name Cafe Neorae comes from, and the Seoraksan scenery

Being right next to Seoraksan, the view itself is really striking. Apparently 'neorae' is Gangwon-do dialect for a wide, large rock. So the name carries the meaning of a space to rest while looking out at the vast Seoraksan and Ulsanbawi. It would suit anyone who wants to sit back, sip coffee, and take in the view.

Inside Cafe Neorae: floor-to-ceiling windows and roomy seating

The café spans the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, and rooftop, so seating is fairly generous, and the biggest draw was being able to take in the outside scenery through the huge windows. I don't love lingering in overly crowded places, and this day I got to enjoy a cup of coffee in a relatively calm atmosphere, which was satisfying.

Bakery and non-coffee menu at Cafe Neorae

There's a wide range of bakery items and drinks. Sweet corn latte and chestnut latte caught my eye as signature menu items, and there were also various non-coffee options like pudding, good for pairing simply with bread.

It's located in Sundubu Village, so having a hearty sundubu (soft tofu stew) meal in Sokcho, then touring Seoraksan or nearby sights, and finishing with coffee at Cafe Neorae would make for quite a natural course.

How Ulsanbawi looks when fog rolls in

It was raining that day, with a bit of mist hanging around, so I couldn't get a clear view of Ulsanbawi like I'd hoped. It was a little disappointing, but watching the mountain appear hazily had its own kind of charm. Next time I'd like to visit again on a clear day and properly see the grand shape of Ulsanbawi that was hidden by mist this time.

Americano, Sua Da Einspänner and chocolate croissant

I ordered an Americano, the signature tteo-a-da shu peo neo (Vietnamese-style condensed milk coffee), and a chocolate croissant. I usually prefer Americano over sweet drinks, and maybe because it was raining and cool out, the cold Americano tasted especially refreshing that day.

The tteo-a-da shu peo neo comes with a light dusting of cinnamon powder on top and a cookie placed on it. It looked delicious, and I was told there's condensed milk at the bottom, so you should stir it well before drinking. If you like sweet, smooth flavors, it's a great menu item to enjoy alongside coffee.

I also had the chocolate croissant, and the crispy croissant with sweet chocolate went really well with the coffee. Sitting by the window looking out at the view made for a relaxing time, and if you're visiting with family, the spacious layout and varied menu would be a plus.

Seoraksan becomes even more beautiful during autumn foliage season, so if you're planning to see the fall colors, it might be worth adding a floor-to-ceiling-window mountain-view café like this to your course. Even without hiking, this was Cafe Neorae, a Seoraksan café in Sokcho where you can comfortably take in the scenery. Thanks for the meal ◡̈