Old metal workshops, new art studios. Feels rough, but that's why creatives like it.
Why MULLAE, why now
Mullae is gaining noticeable buzz in May 2026 as Seoul's next creative district hotspot, with Esquire Korea running a dedicated feature on it and Threads accounts actively posting cafe tour content. The arts village backdrop is drawing a new wave of indie cafes that contrast with the over-saturated Seongsu and Yeonnam scenes.
1. Munrae Banggu
- 763 Gyeongin-ro, 문래동 Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul
- 4.3 · 43 reviews · 갤러리
Munrae Banggu opens the course because mornings in Mullae need context first. It sits inside the creative village strip, connected to a working painting studio, so you're starting where the neighborhood's actual rhythm begins. One visitor mentioned stumbling upon it while looking for a quieter spot, which is the right frame for this route: you're here before the second wave arrives.
Crew's note
This one doesn't pretend. Artists work here, not influencers.
What visitors say
A small coffee shop in Munrae, They also sell some kinds of stationery as well. The shop is connected to a painting room.
I stumbled upon this cafe while strolling through the alleys of Munrae-dong, looking for a quieter spot. It's a bit tucked away from the bus…
2. Verde Munrae
- Seoul, Yeongdeungpo District, Dorim-ro 139ga-gil, 5 1층
- 4.7 · 591 reviews · 카페
Verde Munrae closes it out with better ratings and a much wider visitor base, which means the neighborhood's already decided this one works. The Biscoff cake and strawberry options get specific mentions in reviews, so it's a proper sit-down close, not a quick takeaway. End here when you've walked enough and want to stay put for a while.
Crew's note
Mullae on a weekday. Tourists don't come here.
What visitors say
I stopped by Verde Café in Mullae, Seoul for a coffee break, and it was a really nice spot for that. I ordered a coffee (can’t remember the…
Beautiful ambiance!! Didn’t get to have coffee since we already had it at the other cafe. Stopped by for a cake and we weren’t disappointed.…
The walk between
The stretch between them threads through the same creative district alleys where metal workshops and newer studios sit next to each other. It's the Mullae texture the scout research points to: rough edges, but that's the whole reason the indie spots landed here.
- Start at Munrae Banggu in the late morning when the painting studio connection makes more sense, then move to Verde when you're ready to settle in for longer.
- Come on a weekday if you want the route to feel like it's supposed to. The weekend crowd hasn't fully discovered this strip yet, but it will.
FAQ
- Why is Mullae trending right now?
- Esquire Korea just ran a dedicated feature on it as Seoul's next creative district hotspot, and Threads accounts are actively posting cafe tour content. The arts village backdrop is drawing indie cafes that feel like an alternative to the oversaturated Seongsu and Yeonnam scenes.
- What makes this course different from other Seoul cafe routes?
- It's built around Mullae's creative village structure, where working studios and metal workshops still define the streets. You're starting inside that context with a gallery cafe, then closing at a spot the neighborhood's already chosen, not the other way around.
Ask Ethan
Seoul
