Anyang brunch café for solo dining: Notten’s wheat bread plate

Was it comfortable to have brunch alone in Dongpyeon Village?

After taking a day off and going for a walk on a weekday, I had lunch alone at Notten (노튼) in Dongpyeon Village, Anyang. I had wanted to visit this brunch café for a while, so I gave myself plenty of time for the meal.

Going to a brunch café alone can sometimes feel awkward, but Notten felt calm and comfortable overall, so there was little pressure. The wood-toned tables and chairs created a warm atmosphere, and the greenery outside the window made it feel like a brief break.

How was the price and taste of the Korean wheat bread plate?

The urimil ppang plate (Korean wheat bread plate) I ordered that day was ₩16,000. It is described as a signature brunch made fresh daily with 100% Korean wheat and rye. It suited my taste because I prefer bread that is plain and nutty over bread that is overly sweet or heavily buttery.

The plate came with several kinds of bread and accompaniments. Overall, I could taste the ingredients themselves, and I especially liked that the bread was not cloyingly sweet.

It became nuttier the more I chewed, which made it nice to eat slowly. With the different accompaniments, it was quite filling for a meal, and I especially liked the peach jam and hazelnut butter.

The soft-boiled egg I had with it was cooked well, too.

Did the tomato Greek yogurt bowl go well with the bread?

I also had a tomato Greek yogurt bowl with the Korean wheat bread plate. I do not usually like Greek yogurt, but I enjoyed this combination.

At first, I wondered what tomatoes and Greek yogurt would taste like together. The thick yet smooth yogurt and the freshness of the tomatoes worked better together than I expected. Taking a bite alongside the bread made my palate feel refreshed.

I was satisfied because I prefer plain, fresh flavors to sweet desserts. Alternating between the nutty bread, smooth yogurt, and fresh tomatoes kept it from becoming tiring until the end.

What was the atmosphere like alone on a weekday?

What I liked most that day was the atmosphere, which let me eat slowly at my own pace. I sat alone, took photos of the food, ate the bread, and spent my time comfortably.

The interior did not feel cramped, and the greenery outside the window was a pleasant change of pace. Since I did not need to follow a set lunch break that day, I could enjoy the meal more leisurely.

Who might enjoy this kind of brunch?

If you like bread made with Korean wheat and rye, and brunch that is not overly sweet, the Korean wheat bread plate may suit you. The food I had leaned more toward plain and nutty flavors than bold ones.

If you want something fresh alongside it, I also liked pairing it with the tomato Greek yogurt bowl. The two dishes were filling but did not feel excessively heavy. It is a place I will think of again when I want a quiet brunch alone.