Namyangju café with 24K gold cup Blue Mountain: Waltz and Dr. Mahn

While on a drive in Namyangju, I visited Waltz and Dr. Mahn (왈츠와 닥터만), where you can have coffee right in front of the Bukhangang River :) I’d heard for a long time that the river view was beautiful, and when I finally went, the river really was right in front of me—I absolutely loved the view. From the antique, elegant atmosphere and the Bukhangang River view to the hand-drip coffee served in special cups, every detail made this a memorable riverside café.

Waltz and Dr. Mahn right beside the Bukhangang River

Even the exterior had a distinctly different mood from the large new cafés that seem to be everywhere lately. It felt a little like an old European building, and Waltz and Dr. Mahn’s classic atmosphere had me excited before I even went inside.

We visited on a Friday afternoon. The parking lot was fairly spacious, so parking was easy. Since many people visit cafés around Namyangju or the Bukhangang River by car, it was nice not to have any parking stress :)

And what I liked most at Waltz and Dr. Mahn was, of course, the Bukhangang River view! The river stretched out right in front of the café, making it lovely to sit back over coffee and take in the scenery.

An antique, elegant café interior

Once you step inside, the atmosphere is really distinctive. Rather than the bright, modern interiors you see so often these days, everything felt antique, classic, and elegant.

The tables and chairs suited the atmosphere perfectly, and the window seats look straight onto the Bukhangang River, so they were wonderful for lingering over a drink.

The staff were especially kind, too. Their service made me feel as though I were being looked after at a hotel or fine-dining restaurant, which made it feel even more special :)

There was also an antique organ inside the café. It had the character of something shaped by time, and it suited Waltz and Dr. Mahn’s signature classic atmosphere so well.

You can also see the coffee-making area, and I thought Waltz and Dr. Mahn was a place to slowly enjoy the coffee itself, rather than simply a café you visit for the view.

What we ordered at Waltz and Dr. Mahn

• Jamaican Blue Mountain ₩20,000
• India Baba Budan Arabica Washed ₩17,000
• Camembert cheesecake ₩9,000

The coffee is pricier than at an ordinary café, but considering that you can try beans you would not normally come across in such a special atmosphere, I think it would be nice to experience at least once.

Jamaican Blue Mountain in a 24K pure-gold coffee cup

The most memorable item that day! The Jamaican Blue Mountain was served in a 24K pure-gold coffee cup.

When the coffee first arrived, the cup was so beautiful that I stared at it for ages, haha. Just that one coffee cup made the whole experience of drinking coffee feel a little more special.

Jamaican Blue Mountain is generally known for a smooth, balanced taste and subtle sweetness rather than an intensely sharp bitterness. When I tried it, the aroma was wonderful and it went down smoothly overall, so it was nice to drink slowly while savoring the fragrance.

More than anything, drinking Blue Mountain from a 24K pure-gold cup while looking out at the Bukhangang River somehow made me feel even more pampered, haha.

India Baba Budan Arabica Washed: how it tasted

The India Baba Budan Arabica Washed that my boyfriend ordered! Even its name made it feel like a bean you would not easily encounter at an everyday café.

Washed Arabica from the Baba Budangiri region is described as having nutty, subtle sweetness like chocolate or caramel, along with gentle acidity. When I tried it myself, it was indeed richly aromatic and lovely to sip slowly.

Even though I’m not someone who can distinguish coffee flavors in great detail, it felt different from the Americanos I usually drink, so it was fun alternating between the two coffees :)

Camembert cheesecake and ice cream

Coffee alone would have felt a little incomplete, so we also ordered a Camembert cheesecake. It is a gluten-free cheesecake made with rice, with the nutty, rich flavor characteristic of cheese, so it went nicely with the coffee.

It came with ice cream on the side, too, and having a bite of cheesecake followed by a bite of ice cream made it even tastier. It paired well with both rich cups of coffee :)

A relaxed cup of coffee overlooking the Bukhangang River

After having coffee indoors, we stepped outside and found outdoor tables as well.

On a nice day, I think it would be wonderful to sit outside with coffee while looking at the Bukhangang River.

There are so many big, flashy cafés in Namyangju these days, but Waltz and Dr. Mahn felt a little different from those. Beyond its Bukhangang River view, its charm lies in being able to enjoy a classic, antique space, special coffee, and beautiful coffee cups all together.