Cafes at Handam Coastal Trail Area
Getting to Handam Area From the Airport
I usually set the GPS to “UFO Pension” to make the correct turn into the beautiful coastal drive, instead of using the highway. The turn could be inconspicuous even though there is a road sign. Jeju is surrounded by the beautiful sea, but the one along Aewol area has a deep blue color that’s different from other parts of Jeju. Just stop along the way and take photos.
GD Cafe is now a Crab Shop
Handam area is famous for, transparent kayaking, sunset viewing and “GD cafe” - Mônsant . GD or G-Dragon is a member of the legendary kpop group Bigbang.
A cafe he owned was here but has since been taken over Crab Jack in 2023. Coincidentally Crab Jack’s old location was at the UFO Pension. I’ve not been here so I can’t give my review.
There are many beautiful cafes options where mark-up price for the amazing sea-meeting-sky view. During extreme weather conditions in summer and winter, it is a small price to pay for respite.
BOMNAL Cafe
The cafe was uncrowded enough for me to pay a visit and see what’s all the fuss. It's definitely a cute spot by the sea with both indoor and outdoor seating. It's perfect for enjoying a sunset beer, although I was a bit disappointed that the menu didn't offer much in terms of drinks and snacks—just Corona beer, coffee, tea, and desserts.
The service is self-service only, which was fine for us since we enjoyed our drinks while ocean-gazing and catching up. They were kinda jet-lagged too. The view is simply breathtaking and worth the visit alone. Plus, there are cute corgis around, which added to the charm. Despite the average coffee, I'd still recommend popping in for the view and overall experience.
The coffee was okay. It's mandatory for each person to order a drink before entering
Parking can be a bit tricky since the cafe doesn't have its own lot, but there's a small village-operated parking area nearby. Just be prepared for it to be crowded during peak times. The driveway is quite narrow.
Haejigae Cafe
Haejigae is a pure Korean word meaning 'where the sun sets over the western horizon or over the mountains'.
As its namesake, this bakery cafe is built to watch the sunset over the ocean. The interior design itself is absolutely stunning and yet cozy and quiet. It's three stories high, and the ocean view from the second floor is amazing, making it feel like you're on a boat.
I enjoy my first visit enough to come again the 2nd time. The second group enjoyed the pastries here more. The apple bread pastry is famous. The aesthetic display of the pastries elevates the gourmet experience.
Jimbaran Beach Cafe
Named after the beach in Bali Indonesia. The funny thing is this bakery cafe doesn’t show up on Google Map. This cafe recreates the vibe of Bali with interior decorated with rattan materials, giving it a tropical feel. The cafe offers a stunning ocean view with palm trees blending beautifully with the Aewol sea. It's almost like you can reach out and touch the ocean. I remember I came in here to escape from the August Summer Heat. Great Respite.
The pastries are pretty like the ones at Haejigae. They serve a wide selection of bakery items and beverages. While it's beautiful during the day, visiting to enjoy the sunset with the sea view would be an even more spectacular experience.
