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A BBC-Selected Hanok Cafe & Cultural Heritage Near Seoul: The Serene Charm of Saesori Mulsori (Seongnam)

 Aloha, everyone! 🌺

Today, I visited one of my absolute favorite spots: Saesori Mulsori (새소리물소리). This Hanok (traditional Korean house) cafe near Seoul was officially designated as a Gyeonggi-do Cultural Heritage last year, and was even highlighted by the BBC as a representative traditional Korean cafe!

The autumn leaves are perfectly ripe right now, making it the absolute best time to visit.


There are a few parking lots just outside the building, so parking is relatively easy. Just walking up to the entrance makes me so happy! My friend mentioned that this place has been featured on famous radio shows and various TV programs. But honestly, even without the media buzz, it has been a deeply loved and famous Hanok cafe in the Bundang/Seongnam area for a very long time!

The beautiful and welcoming entrance of Saesori Mulsori, a traditional Hanok cafe designated as a Cultural Heritage.


Because it was designated as a Cultural Heritage in 2024, they now limit the number of people entering to protect the site. Honestly, this might be a relief! It used to get so unbelievably crowded on weekends that it was hard to truly enjoy the vibe, so I mostly only came on weekdays. They’ve even installed a waiting machine at the entrance now.

💡 Jihye's Tip: If you plan to visit this beautiful Hanok cafe, I highly recommend coming on a weekday for a truly peaceful experience!

A stunning view of the Hanok building with a serene pond, reflecting the blue autumn sky.


As you step through the entrance, a breathtaking Hanok welcomes you. The large pond in front of the building is absolutely gorgeous. With the blue sky, the actual chirping of birds, and the gentle sound of the waterwheel... the name Saesori Mulsori (which literally translates to "Sound of Birds, Sound of Water") makes perfect sense!

A small traditional stone bridge and lush garden filled with koi fish and rare plants.


There are so many places to stroll around, and the garden is full of living creatures like koi fish and ducks. Kids would absolutely love it here! You can even cross a small stone bridge and spot rare plants like cattails.

The best seat inside the Hanok cafe, offering a relaxing view of the indoor koi pond.


Among all the seats inside the Hanok, my personal favorite is the one right in front of the indoor pond. You can watch the koi swimming, hear the gentle trickle-trickle of water, and enjoy just the right amount of warm sunlight.

The outdoor seats are great too—the warm sunshine just melts all your stress away (haha). You can sit wherever you prefer! If the inside is full, there's the Toenmaru (traditional wooden porch) or tables and chairs out in the garden. But since you came all the way here, I highly recommend enjoying the atmosphere from inside the Hanok!

[More Than Just a Cafe: A True Foodie Destination]

A display of multiple Blue Ribbon survey stickers, proving the cafe's excellent taste and quality.


The village where Saesori Mulsori is located is called Oya-dong, which was historically a clan village of the Gyeongju Lee family. They beautifully transformed a house site where 14 generations have lived into this teahouse!

With a line of 'Blue Ribbon' (Korea's Michelin guide) stickers, Cultural Heritage status, and a BBC feature, this place truly lives up to its prestigious titles. It's not just a cafe with a good vibe; it's a legitimate food destination! Their Jujube Tea, Omija (Schisandra Berry) Tea, and Sweet Red Bean Porridge (Danpatjuk) are all incredibly delicious.

A beautifully presented tray of traditional Korean Jujube tea, Sweet Red Bean Porridge, and complimentary sweet rice balls (Gyeongdan).

 Our order arrived! You get two sweet rice balls (Gyeongdan) as a complimentary service. If you order the red bean porridge, they also serve warm barley tea.

It doesn't just look neat and pretty; it tastes absolutely amazing. I can confidently say the quality here is a level above most other restored Hanok cafes in Seoul.

A close-up of the rich Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge) topped with chestnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, and chewy rice cake balls.


The red bean porridge is generously topped with chestnuts, cinnamon, walnuts, and pine nuts, along with neat little rice cake balls (Saealsim) and ginkgo nuts.

The portion is quite generous, so coming here after a light lunch is definitely a pro foodie move, right? 😉

A refreshing cup of Omija tea with a vibrant red color, served alongside soft and chewy Gyeongdan.


The Omija tea was also very elegant—you can truly taste the five distinct flavors (bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and pungent) of the berry. The red bean porridge isn't overly sweet or salty; you can deeply taste the natural, rich flavor of the red beans. This place is an absolute Danpatjuk master!

[Exploring the 300-Year-Old Garden]

A majestic 300-year-old zelkova tree standing firmly on the cafe's lush hillside.


There are so many spots where you can hear the bubbling sound of water. Once you get here, you'll lose track of time just exploring! We went up to see the 300-year-old zelkova tree. It’s amazing how that massive trunk has stood firmly on this narrow slope for so long. It’s a tree I want to see for a long, long time.

Cute ducks waddling in the garden, a peaceful cat, and a functioning traditional well.


Everywhere you look, there are traditional structures and beautiful nature that just naturally make you happy. The chubby ducks waddling in a line with their yellow beaks were so cute! Even the washroom is adorable (lol), and the old-fashioned well outside actually has water in it!

There's a walking trail going up the hill behind the cafe. I went to check it out, and the cat that was wandering around the yard earlier was sitting far away, quietly staring at a traditional tomb. I thought to myself, "What a mystical creature," and quietly left it alone.

[Final Thoughts & A Funny Warning!]

Before this autumn passes, you must visit this gorgeous cafe. Feel the beauty of Korea's representative teahouse, selected by the BBC and designated as a Cultural Heritage.

Anyone you bring here will shower you with compliments, so I highly recommend it as a healing family outing or a romantic date course!

🚨 One Funny Warning: Just be careful if you visit during the ADEX Air Show period at the nearby Seoul Airport. I was peacefully drinking my tea and my eardrums almost blew out from the fighter jets! (lol) ✈️💥

Hope your day is as beautiful as this autumn day! Mahalo! 🌺

Follow my blog for more local Korean foodie tips & authentic reviews! 🌺

📍 Cafe Info (Saesori Mulsori / 새소리물소리)

  • Address: 10 Oyanam-ro 38beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

  • Google Maps: Click here for directions 🗺️

  • Public Transit Tip for Tourists: Since it's located in a quiet village, it can be a bit tricky to reach by bus. The easiest way is to take the subway to Suseo Station (Line 3/SRT) or Moran Station (Line 8/Suin-Bundang), and then take a short taxi ride (about 10-15 minutes). Just show the taxi driver the Korean name: "새소리물소리 (오야동)".

  • Phone: +82 0507-1340-7541

  • Important Note: As of October 1st, pets are no longer allowed inside the cafe.

  • Hours: * Mon - Fri: 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM (Last Order: 06:10 PM)

    • Sat - Sun: 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM (Last Order: 08:10 PM)

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