Sokcho Seoraksan café, mist clearing over Ulsanbawi: Cafe Neorae

Why Cafe Neorae is the Sokcho café to pick for an Ulsanbawi view

Cafe Neorae is a café on Wonam Haksapyeong-gil in Sokcho with views of Ulsanbawi rock on Seoraksan. Whenever I travel to Sokcho I only ever seem to see the sea view, so I was glad to find a mountain-view café — even if I can't climb up there, just looking at the scenery was enough.

This is the story of a Sokcho café view spot where, on a clear day, you can apparently even see all the way to Ulsanbawi.

How to get to Cafe Neorae: parking and opening hours

Cafe Neorae is near Sokcho IC, so it's fairly easy to reach even coming from Seoul. It's easy to find with navigation, there's parking space in front of the building, and staff help guide you in, so it was a comfortable visit.

• 🏚️ Address: 114 Wonam Haksapyeong-gil, 2F, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
• ⏰ Hours: 09:00–18:00 (last order 17:30) / Closed 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month
• 🚗 Parking: Free

Inside Cafe Neorae: second and third floors and window seats

Cafe Neorae operates across two floors of the building, 2F and 3F, and true to a view spot, it has floor-to-ceiling windows across the front!! It felt like you'd be able to feel the changing seasons directly through them.

The 2nd floor, decorated with lots of green plants that were easy on the eyes, was set up as a space where you could order and also sit and have your drink.

The tables were of course right by the window!! The view was completely open, so it's a Sokcho café where any seat becomes a great view spot.

Even without the view, this Seoraksan café has stylish interiors with an emotional atmosphere that would work well for a date or a family outing alike.

There's a good variety of light, sweet desserts to pair with your favorite drink, so it's worth visiting if you're a bit hungry.

There are also cakes and organic milk and juice for kids, so keep that in mind.

Besides tissues, whatever else you might need is placed along the way at convenient points, so use them whenever you need.

Even the stairs leading up to the 3rd floor are full of atmosphere, right? I wondered why they'd put seating right in the middle of the staircase, but apparently this spot, too, offers a view of Ulsanbawi when you look out from the Seoraksan café.

Overall the place feels cozy and warm, but I think the most popular seats might be on the 3rd floor. There's the wide-open view, plus the atmosphere you only get through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

In this Sokcho café with a great view of Ulsanbawi far off in the distance, the tables and seats each have such a different feel that I spent a long time deciding where to sit.

It had been overcast all morning with clouds covering the whole sky, so nothing was visible at all, but on the way back the mist cleared and I got to look at Seoraksan looking like a mountain spirit might appear from it — I came back in a great mood. I think it's safe to say this place looks stylish whether the weather is clear or cloudy.

Cafe Neorae menu prices and review event

Maybe because Cafe Neorae is located in the sundubu (soft tofu) village, unlike most cafés it has menu items made with tofu and soybean pulp. Let me introduce the signature drinks you can only find here at Neorae.

• Neorae Latte ₩7,500
• Sseo-eo-da Schuepfer ₩7,500
• Neorae Tea ₩7,500
• Neorae Pudding ₩7,500
• Americano ₩6,500
• Cafe Lashower ₩7,500
• Chodang Corn Latte ₩7,500
• Bambam Latte ₩7,500

What the Cafe Neorae review event gives you

Leave a review for this great-view Cafe Neorae and you'll get a Neorae signature cream made from that day's soybean pulp. It can also be swapped for a Neorae cookie, so grab a dessert that pairs nicely with the bread.

Tasting the Neorae Latte, Americano and Earl Grey lemon tart

What I ordered at Cafe Neorae was the Neorae Latte (₩7,500), Americano (₩6,000), and Earl Grey Lemon Tart (₩8,000).

Neorae Latte with soybean pulp cream

This Sokcho café's signature Neorae Latte, topped with nutty soybean pulp, looked like it would be nutty and smooth even before I tasted it.

Ulsanbawi means 'wide, big rock,' and this coffee fully captured the brand that takes its name from that rock.

Americano at Cafe Neorae

An Americano is always a safe choice that pairs well with any dessert, right? It was cloudy so I debated getting a warm tea instead, but at a café, it's still gotta be an Americano.

Earl Grey lemon tart

With so many desserts to choose from, I went with the Earl Grey lemon tart, topped with soft, fragrant lemon cream!! It wasn't too sweet, so it was easy to enjoy without feeling heavy.

I wondered whether nutty soybean pulp would really go with coffee, but it wasn't heavy at all — smooth, and with the nutty bean powder added on top, it had a quietly appealing charm.

It had been a while since I enjoyed dessert so leisurely in a quiet, calm café. Amid the calm, quiet mood full of atmosphere, it was a healing moment of spacing out mid-trip.

Is Cafe Neorae worth a visit on a cloudy day?

There are plenty of Sokcho cafés with good sea views, but I don't think there's anywhere else quite like Cafe Neorae for looking out at the mountains and Ulsanbawi.

Next time I look for a Seoraksan café, I hope the weather is clear so I can enjoy the Neorae Tea and desserts made with soybean pulp while definitely getting to see Ulsanbawi.