Nakta in Gyeonggi-do
Tucked away in the middle of a forest and overseen by a mountain, Nakta is an enormous resort-style cafe that wouldn’t look out of place in Bali.
Full windows & an outdoor terrace
Image credit: @mimm_taste
Newly opened in May 2022, Nakta, which means “camel”, is a sprawling 3-storey cafe nestled in the midst of nature.
Image credit: @somehow.cafe
Floor-to-ceiling windows welcome natural light on the first and second levels, and also grant you a perfect view of the scenery.
There are rooftop seats on the third level, so don’t forget to check out the entire building during your visit. In fact, the rooftop is the ideal spot for nature-lovers as you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the lush greenery surrounding the place.
Image credit: @mimm_taste
But the real draw of this cafe are the outdoor seats. There’s a Korean-style hut where you can sit cross-legged on a wooden platform while enjoying the breeze.
Image credit: @somehow.cafe
This spot is particularly ideal in the unforgiving summer heat as it’s sheltered, yet has plenty of ventilation.
Those concerned about aching butts while sitting on the wooden floor can rest easy knowing that there are cushion seats available.
Image credit: @underbar_enter
Further away from the Korean-style hut, you’ll find a smattering of seats sheltered by rattan parasols. And not to let our imaginations get the best of us, but it looks like something we’d find in a tropical paradise like Bali.
Cafe with a valley & mountain view
Image credit: @mimm_taste
One of the most captivating elements of Nakta is its picturesque view of Dobongsan, a mountain that spans Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province.
Image credit: @mimm_taste
Sweltering summers can get unbearable, but there’s a small valley where you can cool off.
Such valleys are frequented by the locals whenever they need a respite from soaring temperatures, so there’s no need to feel self-conscious about dipping your toes in the water – your fellow cafe-goers will likely be doing the same.
Image credit: @mimm_taste
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Nakta is a tropical paradise given the magnificent scale of its premises and the scenery it offers. Perhaps this is a sign for the weary and tired to wind down and take life a little slower at Nakta.
Known for their salted bread
Image credit: @somehow.cafe
The food at Nakta is just as good as the view. The cafe is known for its shio pan, which means “salt bread” in Japanese.
Don’t be fooled by the plain-looking bread’s exterior as it’s sinfully stuffed with butter, and every bite is decadent.
Soft and airy while maintaining a crisp texture on the outside, shio pan is the best-selling bread at Nakta thanks to the chef who introduced the bread on Wednesday Food Talk, a Korean talk show about food.
Image credit: @somehow.cafe
Plain shio pan is priced at KRW3,500 (~USD2.67).
If you enjoy trying new and unique desserts, give their well-loved Basil Tomato shio pan (KRW4,600, ~USD3.51) and Kaya Coconut shio pan (KRW4,800, ~USD3.66) a shot.
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Another bestseller is the Magic Passion Fruit Ade (KRW8,500, ~USD6.49) as it’s the perfect thirst quencher for the sultry summer weather.
Also, the Nakta Gold Frappe (KRW9,000, ~USD6.87) is a must-try for those who enjoy the combination of caffeine and fruity flavours.
Image credit: @somehow.cafe
For those who aren’t the biggest fans of shio pan, fret not. There’s a wide variety of desserts to choose from, including Chocolate Castella and Creamy Castella. They’re priced at KRW9,500 (~USD7.25) each.
How to get to Nakta cafe
Image credit: @mimm_taste
The best way to travel to Nakta cafe is by a private mode of transportation, such as a car or taxi. Opening hours may vary from time to time, so we encourage you to pay a visit to their Instagram page before heading down to the cafe.
Address: 230-57 Howon-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do
Opening hours: Wed – Mon 10am-8pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: Instagram
Children and pets are welcome at Nakta, but they must be supervised at all times.
Also check out:
- Super Matcha: Cafe that sells matcha drinks with unique flavours
- Forest Outings: A greenhouse cafe with a mini lake
- Motorang Goat Farm: Cafe with lattes & bread made with goat milk
- Byo Byo Cafe: Stone statue-shaped desserts in Jeju
- Su-san Park Cafe: Ocean-themed cafe with an indoor beach
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): @underbar_enter, @mimm_taste and @mimm_taste