Yangyang café with electric boats and handmade desserts: Cafe Dunchi

During my trip to Yangyang, I stopped by Cafe Dunchi (카페 둔치), which I had saved beforehand. I looked out over the Namdaecheon River from its surface, had coffee and a homemade fruit-preserve drink, and then rode an electric boat. The river seen from the café and the river seen while out on the boat each stayed with me.

Where is Cafe Dunchi, and what is parking like?

The café is at 295 Ilchul-ro in Yangyang-eup, on the lower Namdaecheon River. The Namdaecheon Water Sports Experience Center is on the first floor, while the café is on the second. The parking lot was spacious and convenient, and the interior was clean and pleasant.

The information posted during my visit listed group use, takeout, reservations, Wi-Fi, delivery, and separate restrooms for men and women. It was described as opening daily at 10:00 a.m., but the closing time and detailed schedule need to be checked separately.

What can you see from this floating café?

Dunchi is a floating café on the surface of the Namdaecheon River. As soon as I arrived, the open view toward the river caught my eye.

When I turned my head, I could also see the sea horizon and mountain contours in the distance. With open views in every direction, it never felt closed in, and I enjoyed looking down over the Namdaecheon River from the cool second-floor café.

What coffee and handmade desserts are available?

The second-floor café had coffee, homemade fruit-preserve drinks, and a range of handmade desserts.

I was told that the coffee beans are supplied frequently in small batches from a Gangneung roastery. The coffee I had tasted clean.

Desserts included handmade egg tarts, yanggaeng (sweet bean jelly), cookies, and almond tuiles. The café also noted that it makes the fruit preserves used in its drinks and teas itself.

The drink made with homemade fruit preserve was refreshing. I was able to rest comfortably over a drink in the neat interior.

Was the electric boat ride too hot in midsummer?

The day I visited was in the height of summer, with temperatures around 30°C. The sun was hot enough to make me sweat just standing outside after getting out of the car, so I initially hesitated to take the boat. Then I looked down at the river from the café and decided to try it myself.

The first-floor experience center operated electric boats and hwangpo dotbae (yellow-sailed boats), among others. I took an electric boat.

Once I was out in the middle of the river, the wind made it feel cool. I enjoyed taking in the scenery spreading out in every direction from the river, and felt glad I had not given up because of the heat.

Can you bring drinks on the boat, and are there weather restrictions?

You can bring drinks aboard the boat. It was an electric-motor boat that did not travel quickly. The usage guide said everyone wears a life jacket and receives safety instructions before boarding.

Operations may be temporarily restricted in severe weather, including heavy rain or strong winds. On days with unstable weather, it is best to ask whether boats are operating before you leave.

Are there places to walk near the café?

Nearby is Namdaecheon Salmon Ecological Park. It has a deck path and an observatory among reeds and silver grass, making it a place to add a walk before or after a drink.

When I visited in summer, the area was filled with green foliage. It is introduced as a place to see cherry blossoms in spring, reeds and silver grass in autumn, and a frozen river and snow-covered mountains in winter. If the season and timing line up, you may also see returning salmon and masu salmon jumping.

The wide-open river view and the breeze I felt on the electric boat were what I remembered most from this visit. Since I could combine time relaxing at the café with an experience on the river in one place, I would like to stop by again on my next trip to Yangyang.