Café near Dynamic Maze in Sokcho: arch-window views at Cafe Neorae

Where is Cafe Neorae in Sokcho?

Cafe Neorae is an Ulsanbawi-view café on floors 2 to 4 of the Yetgoeul Sundubu (soft tofu) building in Haksapyeong, Sokcho. It's really close to the Dynamic Maze and the resort complex, so it's easy to fit into a travel route — it's become one of those must-stop spots I never skip whenever I plan a trip to Sokcho.

Above all, the picture-like scenery unfolding grandly outside the window gives you a perfect sense of healing.

Here's my review of Cafe Neorae, a place full of romance from nature and thoughtful little touches.

• Floor guide: 1F Yetgoeul Sundubu / 2–3F Cafe Neorae / 4F rooftop
• Handy tip: bring your 1F restaurant receipt for a 10% discount on café menu items
• Amenities: baby chairs available, self-bar with microwave, organic kids' drinks for sale, diaper-changing station

Ulsanbawi Rock through the arch windows in every season

Did you know 'Neorae' is a Gangwon dialect word for a wide, big rock? True to its name, this is an attractive space designed around the majestic Ulsanbawi Rock.

The arch-shaped windows and rooftop that make you reach for your camera — Cafe Neorae's biggest highlight is, without question, the Ulsanbawi scenery hanging outside the big arched windows like a painting.

From the freshness of spring to snowy winter scenery, nature changing its outfit all four seasons is truly a work of art.

There's also an open 4th-floor rooftop space, so it's a fantastic view spot for catching a cool breeze and taking the best photos of your life. The café interior has such well-lit floor-to-ceiling windows with great views that you end up taking photo after photo, haha.

Sundubu lunch downstairs, then 10% off upstairs

My favorite route when visiting Cafe Neorae is having a hearty lunch downstairs at 'Yetgoeul Sundubu' on the 1st floor, then heading up to the café. If you bring your receipt from the 1st-floor restaurant, you get 10% off the café menu, which perfectly satisfies your value-for-money instincts too. It's a route that covers a full meal and dessert in one go.

What Cafe Neorae offers families with young children

In one corner of the bright, spacious, well-lit café, there are plenty of clean baby chairs set up. The self-bar with a microwave for warming bread or food was also very neatly maintained.

The display case is thoughtfully stocked with Sangha Farm organic milk and fruit juice for kids, and the restroom even has a diaper-changing station — so families visiting with young children can stay comfortably at ease.

Here's the drinks menu — it seems seasonal drinks get added throughout the year.

Neorae Latte and drink prices at Cafe Neorae

After browsing the neatly arranged bakery display case, I sat at a table with a great view of Ulsanbawi and enjoyed my order.

That day I ordered a hot and an iced Americano (₩6,000 each), the refreshingly sweet apple mango smoothie (₩7,500), and Cafe Neorae's signature Neorae Latte (₩7,500).

The Americano was rich and nutty with no sourness at all — a great, crowd-pleasing flavor that anyone would like.

In particular, the iced-only 'Neorae Latte,' where soft cream meets nutty okara (soybean pulp), is a really unique and special drink — I highly recommend trying it at least once.

Thanks to the overwhelming natural scenery and comfortable space, my heart felt soft and at ease the whole time I stayed.

If you're looking for a café near the Sokcho resorts with great views and great coffee, be sure to visit 'Cafe Neorae' 🤍