Sokcho café after survival swim class: Mont Blanc at Cafe Neorae

Cafe Neorae after survival swim class at Seorak Waterpia in Sokcho

Cafe Neorae (카페너래) is a large café in Sokcho. We stopped by on the way home after my son's survival swimming class at Seorak Waterpia. It was a day just for the two of us. We timed lunch to the end of his class and ate beef, then on the way back we dropped into this big Sokcho café and had a lovely time together.

What are the space and the view outside like?

Cafe Neorae is a pretty big café, so it's easy to relax without feeling cramped. That's why our family comes often: the seating is roomy, and the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows is just so charming.

The weather was really nice that day, you know? The sunshine was just right, but the Ulsanbawi Rock view wasn't clearly visible.

The bakery at Cafe Neorae: what did my son pick?

Another draw of Cafe Neorae is its wide bakery selection. From salt bread to Mont Blanc and chestnut bread, it's full of breads my son loves. We spent ages browsing and deciding together, and in the end he chose the chestnut bread and the Mont Blanc. I ordered coffee, he dug into his bread, and we sat side by side by the window. It was such a warm, lovely time.

Watching the green scenery was so pretty that just sitting by the window felt healing. And my little chatterbox pouring out his whole day was adorable too. How fun it was... who he played with and what he did... what he liked best... he told me everything without my even asking, and I just adore him for it.

How the Mont Blanc and chestnut bread taste

The Mont Blanc at Cafe Neorae had a lovely layered texture and a rich, sweet buttery flavor. The chestnut bread was packed with chestnuts, and its crust was like a streusel bun (soboro-ppang), so it was nutty and sweet the more you chewed. We tore the bread apart together, and my bread-loving son said it was so delicious and ate away happily.

Is the seating comfortable with a child?

Since the space is large, the seats are nicely spaced out, and it's fun to wander slowly around the café. It was a weekday and quiet, so we could change seats, and it was nice to settle into a comfy spot with my child. There are also well-decorated photo zones here and there, so I'd recommend it to anyone who loves taking photos!

Eating bread with my son, watching the view outside and soaking in the calm, my heart just went all warm and fuzzy. Even in a busy daily life, I'm so grateful for this time sharing one cup of coffee and a piece of bread, just the two of us. I also love that Cafe Neorae shows a different view every time the season changes.

What is the signature Sseoda Einspänner?

Sseoda Einspänner is Cafe Neorae's signature menu item: an Einspänner (coffee topped with cream) made with Vietnamese condensed milk. Soft cream sits on top, served with cinnamon and a Neorae cookie. I love Einspänner, so I was curious about this one and ordered it. It looked so pretty that I filled my camera with photos.

How to drink Sseoda Einspänner

As the staff told me, I first dipped the Neorae cookie in the cream, then stirred the remaining cream in and drank it. The sweet condensed milk and the strong coffee go so well together, and it was really delicious.

Sseoda Einspänner has a different charm from a regular Einspänner. The Neorae cookie is tasty and the sweetness is just right. I loved the combination and drank it happily. The cinnamon aroma rises gently and brings out the coffee's flavor even more, so good! If you usually like sweet coffee, do give it a try...

Wrapping up our little date

If you're looking for a spacious, comfortable place in Sokcho, or want to enjoy good bread and coffee together, definitely visit Cafe Neorae, the big Sokcho café. Our little date with my son was so relaxed that it made the day even happier. Chatting with him, time flew by, and leaving Cafe Neorae felt a bit sad. I want to go again on a nice day.