Two-terrace café with Munseom views in Seogwipo: Forest Jeongbang

Walking to Forest Jeongbang: 5 minutes from Jeongbang Waterfall

Forest Jeongbang is an ocean-view café you can reach within 5 minutes of Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo, Jeju. I walked over from my accommodation, and it turned out to be a place you can easily get to on foot.

I go down to Jeju at least 3 times a year, but it had been a while since I'd come here. I really love Seogwipo, so I always head to the southern part of Jeju even if it takes a bit longer. It's not a crowded tourist spot, so it was nice and quiet.

The first-floor hall: bright light, high ceilings, family seating

The first-floor hall at Forest Jeongbang was a space with great natural light. The ceilings were high, and maybe because the weather was so nice, the sunlight coming through the windows was really pretty.

Maybe that's why there were a lot of families on the first floor. Even if you're not there specifically for the ocean view, it's a comfortable atmosphere for sitting and chatting. It's also nice for spending time alone with a book or a laptop.

So this is a café where you can see a Jeju ocean view even from the first floor. It's a folding-window setup, and I think it would've been even nicer if they'd opened it up, but even from the sofa seats facing the view, you can take in plenty of Seogwipo's beauty. There's lush greenery out front too, which somehow makes the blue sea stand out even more. Looking at the other customers, it seemed like a lot of people had brought their parents along.

Ordering on the first floor: rice cakes are 7,500–8,500 won

At Forest Jeongbang, you order at the counter on the first floor, and you can use the hall on both the first and second floors, plus the terraces. They have a yogurt rice cake made with Jeju seasonal fruit, an Udo peanut rice cake, and more.

Prices run ₩7,500 to ₩8,500, and they also sell sandwiches for a light meal. I'd been drinking coffee and was in the middle of a stomach crisis, haha, so I ordered a Jeju fresh-pressed juice and the tangerine yogurt cake instead.

What the Munseom Island view looks like from the second floor

Straight up to the second floor, and I zoomed in with my camera. Isn't it really pretty? What you see off in the distance there is Seopseom Island, off Seogwipo.

You can spot that island from pretty much anywhere around here if you look out at the sea, but if you go down below the café and walk the Olle trail, it's even more beautiful. That one boat in the middle really adds atmosphere.

Now let me show you the second-floor hall. Most of the seats facing the Jeju ocean view are turned toward the folding windows. There are comfortable sofa seats too, and the view of the sea is wider than on the first floor. Both floors get plenty of sunlight, so the sense of openness was even better up there. There's also a terrace if you go outside, which I'll explain below.

Two terraces at Forest Jeongbang — check the sunset time first

Forest Jeongbang has two outdoor spaces in total, and the main one is the terrace you step out onto directly from the second floor. There's nothing blocking the view out front, so you can take in the scenery without any obstruction.

Between the height and the location, I think this might have the best spot among the cafés around here. And I imagine it would be even prettier around sunset. Check the sunset time before you go!!

This is Forest Jeongbang's second terrace. There aren't many tables here, but you still get a different feel of the Seogwipo sea. Even a slight change in angle completely changes the mood. The space is fairly wide, so it seems like a good spot for families with kids too. Honestly, Jeju in September never stops being amazing every time I see it. Of course, you need good weather luck for that... haha.

Hallabong juice, tangerine yogurt rice cake and a madeleine

Here's the Hallabong fresh-pressed juice, cake, and madeleine I ordered. I was craving something refreshing so I went with these, and the juice was tangy-sweet and the cake was delicious too.

I just took the madeleine to go, planning to eat it back at my accommodation. Anyway, if you're planning to visit Jeongbang Waterfall in Jeju, be sure to stop by on your way.