While I was looking for fun areas to explore in Seoul I stumbled upon Mullae-dong and I’m really glad I did. A group of us decided to spend the day exploring it. Mullae definitely exceeded all our expectations and I’m already looking forward to going back. This area is the perfect way to spend a day.
Information on Mullae
Mullae-dong is one of the fastest growing areas in Seoul, garnering much attention from young locals in recent years. In the 1970s Mullae was home to countless small scale steel factories, but during the financial crisis of the late 90s, many of those factories moved to other areas with cheaper rent. Since then a great number of the empty factories left behind have become occupied by artists. Now art fills the streets of Mullae-dong, with wall paintings and art objects found throughout the area, gaining its reputation as an art village. Transforming from a factory town to an art destination, Mullae-dong has seen a sudden increase in cafes and bars that are using the old factory buildings in interesting ways.
By the mid-2000s, the number of empty industrial facilities in Mullae had increased considerably, and these cheap small spaces — often only about the size of a one- or two-car garage — began to attract the attention of artists that increasingly were being priced out of Hongdae (홍대) on the other side of the Han River (한강). Artists in the area began referring to Mullae as the Mullae Art Village (문래동 예술촌) soon thereafter, and the Seoul government began formally supporting the concept by 2013.
Like many other forgotten neighborhoods in Seoul (Ikseon-dong 익선동 and Gyeonglidan-gil 경리단길 being prime examples), Mullae seems to be the next target for gentrification. Worrying about losing their businesses, many steelworkers purchased their buildings rather than continuing to pay rent. This has allowed them to coexist with hipster restaurants, art studios and coffee shops.
This place is one of the neighborhood which still looks as it did in the old days. It is also known for the filming location of the movie, ‘Avengers 2’.
Directions: Mullae Station Exit 7. At the first street on your left turn left and then an immediate right into a small alley begin searching down the alleys from there.
Rust Bakery 러스트
We started our day off at Rust Bakery. They open at 11am and this is a good time to get there as it gets very busy rather quickly. The name seems especially fitting for the rusty metal that abounds nearby. The bakery has croissants, cinnamon buns, cheese cakes and pretty much anything to hit that bready sweet treat urge you’re looking for. There are both indoor and outdoor seating areas which make this a great spot in every season.
This gorgeous bakery has an open layout that allows you to see their large crew of workers baking and brewing at all hours of the day.
📍 Rust Bakery 러스트
서울 영등포구 문래동2가 42-19
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (630m walk)
⏰ 11h00 – 22h00
🌐https://www.instagram.com/rustbakery/
📞070-8805-0815
🗓️Monday – Sunday
You can see them making everything 
Way to the outside and roof area 
Delicious pies 
Waves 웨이브스
After we finished at Rust we headed to Waves, an Hawaiian style gastro pub. It was opened by sculptor Lee Daeseok. The building is an old steel factory from the 1970s that has been renovated and remodeled with a Hawaiian theme.
The restaurant is suited for the solo diner and groups and offers up a menu of Hawaiian cuisine and craft beers. We didn’t eat anything but just had some cocktails and beers.
📍 Waves 웨이브스
서울 영등포구 문래동3가 58-34
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (418m walk)
⏰ 11h30 – 25h00 (Mon – Fri there is break of 16h00 – 17h00)
Last order 60 minutes before closing
🌐https://www.instagram.com/mullae_waves/
📞070-7681-0101
🗓️Monday – Sunday
Yankees Burger 양키스버거&슬라이스피자
For lunch we decided to go to Yankees Burgers. When we got there we had to have a short wait as we were quite a big table and the space isn’t that big. They have burgers, pizzas and other fried food. You can also order the pizzas by slice. If you want fries you can add fries and a drink to your order. We also had some craft beers.
The signature menu, the Mullae Burger exudes a beautiful aroma from the mix of freshly toasted oatmeal ciabatta buns and sautéed mushrooms with truffle oil. The buns are incredibly soft while the juicy patty, aromatic mushrooms and the savory spice from the salami create an intense combination of flavors that is hard to come across at other burger joints in the city.
📍 Yankees Burger 양키스버거&슬라이스피자
서울시 영등포구 도림로 434-1
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (581m walk)
⏰ 11h00 – 22h00 (Mon – Fri there is break of 15h00 – 16h00)
🌐https://www.instagram.com/yankees_mullae/
https://yankees9.modoo.at/
📞070 8849 0815
🗓️Monday – Sunday
We got 2 slices of pizza 
Chilli Cheese Fries 
Bacon and Egg burger 
Mullae Burger 2 
The famous Mullae Burger 
Mohenic Stay 308 모헤닉스테이308
MOHENIC STAY 308 is a multi-use space on a back street lined with countless steel factories. It blends in so well that with the surrounding buildings that if you don’t know it’s there you could actually pass right past it. This space was opened by Mohenic Garages, a company that does classic car restoration and sells a range of original products.
The owner, who is also a furniture designer, designed the interior himself, keeping many of the original elements of the reclaimed steel factory in tact. Various small items relating to bicycles and motorcycles are displayed inside this impressive, vintage space.
You can rent the area for private parties and they also allow you to take your pet. There is an outdoor area too.
📍 Mohenic Stay 308 모헤닉스테이308
서울특별시 영등포구 도림로128가길 9
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (581m walk)
⏰ 07h30 – 24h30 (last order 23h30)
🌐https://www.instagram.com/mohenic_stay308/
https://www.mohenic.com/_sub/stay/stay.php
📞02-2631-0308
🗓️Monday – Sunday
It blends in so well with the surrounding businesses 
Treevia
Treevia is a leather goods brand started by three young leather craftspeople fresh out of university. The space features a showroom, a leather workshop, and a cafe. Displayed around the cafe space are some original leather goods. Among them you can find book covers, card cases, passport cases, and even large designer bags which you can have your name engraved in by request.
The cafe and workshop is a little off the beaten path from the main village area. In the back you’ll see the artists working away. We bought some postcards and magnets and enjoyed some coffee and other drinks.
📍 Treevia
문래동3가 56-1
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (794m walk)
⏰ 09h30 – 18h30
🌐https://www.instagram.com/treevia_cafe/
https://www.instagram.com/treevia_/
🗓️Monday-Saturday
The workshop is on the other side of the glass 
Yummy lemonade 
Old Mullae 올드문래
Filled with art and repurposed machinery, this is a café by day and a pub by night. Stop in for those throw-back vibes. The 1930’s building maintains the original Japanese wooden frameworks but, in the course of history, has added elements of industrialization and, finally, a touch of the Midwest given by the owner, who also works as an architect.
Old Mullae is a café during the day, and as soon as the clock hits 6pm, it turns into a bar. The owner keeps a strict schedule, refusing to sell any of the café menus during its bar hours. As for some of their bar foods, the owner suggests their fish and chips as the portion is quite large, perfect for a group of friends. The potatoes are brought in from Pyeongchang, are washed every morning and deep-fried upon order. The batter made with beer is super crispy.
📍 Old Mullae 올드문래
서울 영등포구 문래동2가 14-28
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (570m walk)
⏰Mon – Wed = 10h00 – 25h00
Thur – Sat = 10h00 – 26h00
Sun = 12h00 – 23h00
🌐https://www.instagram.com/oldmullae/
🗓️Monday-Sunday
Beervana 비어바나
Beervana is another place we just stumbled upon when we saw the roof top from the street. It’s a brewery that has 3 different levels. Just being there is an experience in and of itself, the beer is an added bonus. Their beer has also won awards. I had the Yeongdeung Porter which won the Gold and it was really delicious.
Level 1:
When you enter Beervana you can see brewing tanks, colourful lights, fun decorations, a massive replica of the Infinity Gauntlet, and the bar. You can beer here for takeout too. Above the bar you note a cosy seating area that you must pass through in order to move to the next floor.
Level 2:
You go up the stairs and head through a small shop and then get to the next level which is a nice bright pink colour. This is where we ended up sitting.
Level 3:
This is the pinnacle of Beervana. Tables and seats are made of colourful beer crates. Beautiful lights, plants, and awesome views of the trendy area around you and blankets for when it gets cold.
📍Beer Vana Brewing Co. 비어바나
서울 영등포구 도림로129길 5-1
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (646m walk)
⏰Open weekdays: 17h00 – 25h00
Saturday 15h00 – 25h00
Sunday 15h00 – 24h00
🌐https://www.facebook.com/beervanaseoul/
https://www.instagram.com/beervana_brewery_seoul/
🗓️Monday-Sunday
Island 203 아일랜드203
We accidentally stumbled upon this place while we were heading to the bus and we just had to go inside to see more. Their basic concept is of an Island pub which is why they have that little oasis on the corner. They have a very extensive menu. They have a café items along with brunch, afternoon tea sets, pastas, platters, cocktails, wine and all other liquor.
We were so stuffed from everything we had consumed in the day that we just bought a take away Americano and then went to go sit in the little oasis to enjoy it. It is only about 60m from Rusk Bakery.
📍Island 203 아일랜드203
서울 영등포구 경인로79길 9 1층
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (685m walk)
⏰Open 11h00 – 25h00
🌐https://www.instagram.com/mullae_island203/
☎️ 02-2677-3622
📱010-8339-3622
(Call or text for reservation!)
🗓️Monday-Sunday
Street Art
The art is Mullae-dong isn’t neatly set apart and coordinated as other art areas of Seoul. This is because the artists have done in by themselves and not with the support of the Seoul government. Definitely keep your eyes peeled as you walk around. Over the weekends you will have a better chance of seeing some of the graffiti on the doors as the workplaces are closed and so the art is visible.
Piece of Peace 피스 오브 피스 (PofP)
We were just walking past and then saw this place and decided to go up onto the roof to check it out.
📍Piece of Peace 피스 오브 피스
432 Dorim-ro Yeongdeungpo-gu Seoul
🚉Mullae Station Exit 7 (685m walk)
🌐https://www.instagram.com/pofp_studio
Views of the streets, alleyways and other cafes and restaurants
Mullae totally surprised us with everything that was there and I’m already planning another trip back there to see everything I couldn’t see the last time.
Have you been to Mullae-Dong? What is your favourite thing to do there?
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