Mullae located in western Seoul is one of the hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Recently I got the chance to explore it with a friend who lives nearby and checked out all the hidden gems it has to offer.
The overall vibe is very industrial and old-style but then out of nowhere, you can find a modern coffee shop next to traditional Korean food restaurants.
Itโs still a very local artist-focused area without tourists and is small enough that you can see all of Mullae in an afternoon.
The neighborhood is eerily similar to Bushwick, Brooklyn which has the same artsy and industrial vibe.
Before traveling around Seoul make sure to download Naver Maps as Google Maps doesn't work well at all in South Korea. I included all the recommended spots to visit in Korea so you can easily copy & paste them into Naver Maps for a simple navigation experience.
Take line 2 (green line) going towards Kkachisan (๊น์น์ฐ) and get off at Mullae Station (๋ฌธ๋) exit 7 which is only a 5-minute walk from the best spots in Mullae. You will walk straight by the Mullae Neighborhood Park (๋ฌธ๋๊ทผ๋ฆฐ๊ณต์) and then you will arrive at your destination.
Download the app Kakao Taxi beforehand to easily call a taxi in seconds. Select your preferred destination and select general request and for payment method select pay to the driver to pay with an international card. When using a taxi it is easier to find the address if you type it in Korean so I included all the places in Korean as well for easier access.
Coffee:
Rust Bakery is one of my absolute favorite bakeries finds in Seoul. The selection is amazing and it was hard to choose what to eat let alone not buy the whole store. My friend and I settled on a delicious s'mores pie with Einspanner coffee. If you love bread, cake, or coffee Rust Bakery is a must-go-to spot in Mullae.
Cafe Salt is a beautifully designed cafe in the heart of Mullae. Here you can find lattes, ades, and tea to go with one of the signature desserts including a croffle or a sweet pumpkin cheesecake. The cafe has a very cozy vibe and the seating is limited so I recommend visiting as soon as they open.
Eats:
Yankees Grill if you could guess by the name is an American-style restaurant specializing in steak that won't hurt your wallet. The atmosphere is similar to an American-style dinner and I recommend ordering the New York steak with fries for less than $20 USD. If you are a steak lover on a budget like me this restaurant cannot be missed.
Green Greet is a restaurant specializing in delicious and healthy salads. The ingredients are all fresh and organically sourced so you can feel good about what you are eating. It is vegetarian and vegan-friendly which is not super easy to find in Korea.
Drinks:
After Work Club is a coffee shop by day that transforms into a cocktail bar by night. The vibe is very modern and the music adds to the chill atmosphere. It's the perfect place for grabbing a drink after work as the name suggests or anytime in my opinion.
Island 203 provides an escape to the beach as a tropical-themed pub in the middle of Seoul. Here you can expect to find tasty fruit cocktails, craft beer, along with bar snacks such as prosciutto to melt-in-your-mouth double-fried pork. If you want to escape the city life for a few hours this is the perfect spot.
Mullae Art Village is one of the main reasons why Mullae has become an increasingly trendy spot due to the influx of artists coming to the art and creating crafts, street art, and paintings in the small village. Here you can find artists working in small outdoor warehouses and possibly spot the next hottest exhibition in the works.
Maker's Union is a unique gallery, cafe, and craft space all rolled into one. Here you can make your own custom latte art, create 3-D art, or even take part in special craft workshops such as leather-crafting. It's the perfect place to learn a new craft and make a unique gift or souvenir.
Han Gang is a must-visit place in Korea and luckily Mullae village is located only a short bike ride away from my favorite area of the river-side park. You can find a bike to rent easily by downloading the app ๋ฐ๋ฆ์ด which provides a map with the closest bikes near you and you can easily rent without leaving the app. You can rent a bike for 1 hour for less than $1 USD and is a fun way to see more of Mullae on the way to the park. At the park, you can see beautiful views of Seoul and can even order fried chicken.
Want to visit Mullae? Pin this handy guide to use on your next trip!
Hey there! I'm Madi and I have an addiction to finding trendy local spots around the globe. Here I spill all my favorite places and tips you won't find in any guide books!
