We drove an hour out of Seoul with my mom for this one, and I am so glad we did. If you are planning a day trip and want something genuinely memorable, this little stretch of road in Pocheon delivers in a way I was not expecting: a cafe that is equal parts hilarious and delicious, followed by one of the prettiest bakery cafes I have seen in Korea. We also happened to visit during Chuseok, so it was quieter than usual. If you go on a regular weekend, expect a crowd.
Getting There
By car: About 1 hour from Seoul Station. This is the easiest option, especially if you have a rental car. My mom had one, so that is how we did it.
By public transit: Around 2 hours by train and bus. A bit of a commitment, but people do make the trip this way.
Kakao Taxi is also an option if you do not want to drive yourself.
λ€λ¬΄μ (Deulmusae): The Kkochu Cafe
Let me address the obvious immediately. Kkochu means chili pepper in Korean, but it is also very much slang for something else, and this entire cafe is themed around that second meaning. The owner opened it 28 years ago after a passing Buddhist monk said the area had too much yin energy and needed more yang to restore balance.
So naturally, he built a cafe.
From the moment you pull into the parking lot, the statues and sculptures are everywhere, left and right, incredibly detailed, and perfectly committed to the theme. Vincent and my mom were crying laughing before we even walked in. There is also a female version of the decor (including, I kid you not, a statue of a woman watching the giant centerpiece), so it is thorough in both directions.
Once you step inside, though, it is genuinely warm and cozy. Beautiful wooden beams, natural light, booth seating for more privacy, and a relaxed atmosphere. On the second floor there is an outdoor patio that is shaded with a nice view, and a self-service water station. It never feels cheap or tacky. It feels committed.
One more thing: there is a Korean Jindo dog roaming the parking area (super friendly), and a cat inside that licks instead of cuddles, which I found oddly charming.
Deulmusae β Exterior & Interior
1 / 15Worth it already just for the drive.
The Food at Deulmusae
You come for the concept, but you genuinely stay for the food.
We spent 71,000 KRW total for three people, and everything delivered.
Deulmusae Combo (24,000 KRW): We ordered two of these. Each set comes with a crispy pork cutlet (tonkatsu), a fish cutlet with tartar sauce, and a Hamburg steak. All plated with rice and fresh salad. The portions are enormous, nothing is greasy, and the Hamburg steak in particular surprised me. It tastes just like tteokgalbi, that sticky, savory minced beef patty. Way better than "cafe Hamburg steak" has any right to be.
Pane Cream Pasta (18,000 KRW): My personal favorite. Cream pasta served inside a bread bowl, loaded with bacon and mushrooms. Rich sauce, not heavy, not processed tasting. The three of us basically fought over the last bites. My mom approved, which is a high bar because she is picky.
The Drinks: Every set meal comes with one complimentary drink. We got an iced Americano and a burdock tea (μ°μμ°¨). Here is the important part: the cups. The Americano came in a cup shaped, let's say, anatomically. Complete with a very strong handle. And the kkochu-shaped cup with the straw: you suck from the tip. The staff will tell you this with a completely straight face. It is fantastic.
The full menu is bigger than you think: Beyond what we ordered, there are also topokki, Korean pancake, French fries, Chinese dishes, and more snack-style foods for sharing. The drinks section includes Makgeolli, dong dong ju, soju, and cocktails. The cocktail names are: Sex on the Beach, Orgasm, In Bed, and Black Russian. Very on brand. There is also bingsu for dessert, and the staff highly recommends the geosigi bread, which we did not try this time but is going on the list.
One more thing: the menu has a "penis dalgona" listed. We ordered it. It is not a penis shape. It is the other one. We found this very funny.
Deulmusae β Food & Menu
1 / 10The menu board outside.
The Merchandise (and the NAVER Perk)
Before you leave, walk through the little gift area near the entrance. They sell kkochu-shaped soaps, keychains, stirring spoons, chocolate, and handmade dalgona. Some of the handmade pieces go up to 70,000 KRW, but they are genuinely well-made and, as Vincent put it, "perfectly dirty."
Pro tip: If you leave a NAVER review with photos while you are there and show it to the staff, they will give you a free gift. We got dalgona. Very worth the two minutes it takes.
Deulmusae β Merchandise & Gifts
1 / 5Kkochu-shaped soaps. Great gift for the person who has everything.
λΌλΉλ2 (Lavigne 2): The Bakery Right Down the Road
We actually spotted Lavigne 2 on the drive to Deulmusae. We looked at each other and immediately agreed we were stopping on the way back. Three minutes down the road, and completely worth the detour.
This is a three-story roastery cafe, all three floors connected, with a slightly industrial but very cozy interior. When you walk in, there are turtles near the entrance (yes, turtles), and the whole place has this relaxed, wandering energy where every corner has something cute or interesting going on.
A note on ordering: It is a self-ordering kiosk system, and almost none of it is in English. The only English words on the menu were "coffee," "drink," and "tea." Come prepared to point or translate.
Second floor has individual private rooms where you take your shoes off (please do, this is Korea) and sit by the window. People were reading, chatting, some were on laptops. Very calm, very nice.
Third floor is open with high ceilings, semi-industrial styling, and the best views of the three floors. That is where we ended up.
We spent 26,800 KRW for two drinks and two pastries.
The Grapefruit Ade: Vincent ordered this and it was the standout drink. Carbonated, very fresh, tastes like actual grapefruit instead of syrup. Very refreshing after all that food.
The Yogurt Drink: Mine. Slightly sweet, smooth, and easy to drink.
The Croongi: A flattened, pressed croissant, crispy on the outside and soft inside with a sticky sweetness. Think of it as a croissant pressed into a kouign-amann. We ordered two and finished them fast.
Red Bean Pastry: My mom chose this one and I tried a bite. If you like traditional Korean red bean sweets, this is excellent. One of my personal favorites in terms of flavor.
Lavigne 2 β Cafe & Food
1 / 18We spotted this driving to Deulmusae and immediately said we were coming back.
Is the Drive Worth It?
Yes. Do it.
The recommended order: eat at Deulmusae first, then walk (or drive three minutes) to Lavigne 2 for dessert and drinks. If you time it right, you can also check out the Korean national forest nearby, though it closes early so plan accordingly.
My mom was so happy with both, laughing the whole time at Deulmusae and then fully settled in and relaxed at Lavigne 2. That combination is hard to beat, and the fact that the food at both places is genuinely good makes it a day trip with no weak points.
If you are in Seoul for more than a few days and want to get out of the city, Pocheon is beautiful and this stretch does all the work for you.
Find It
