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Ulsan is a metropolitan city located in southeastern Korea. The city sits on the East Sea, and the Ulsan Port is one of the largest ports in Korea. A closer look at Ulsan reveals another side to this industrial city. Taehwagang National Garden, one of the 12 Sights of Ulsan, is home to more than 20 thematic gardens. Among them, Samho Bamboo Grove is an absolute must-visit site. Daewangam Park offers a spectacular view of the sea and rocks, which is even better at night.
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Jangsaengpo Special Whale Culture Zone is a retro throwback to Ulsan’s past, while Jangsaengpo Whale Museum, Culture Village, and the Ulsan Port make ideal places for family trips. Ulsan is also home to what is called the “Yeongnam Alps,” which offer plenty of trails for trekking. The Yeongnam Alps showcase beautiful nature across the four seasons. In the spring, it blooms with spring flowers, while cool valleys and lush forests provide respite in the summertime. Fall is the season of silver grasses, and winter dazzles with snow-covered landscapes.
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Want to go for a drive at night? Head to Ulsandaegyo Bridge. This 1,800m-long bridge connects Ulsan’s Nam-gu and Dong-gu districts. Oegosan Onggi Village is the largest village in Korea dedicated to the art of onggi (earthenware) making. It hosts the Onggi Festival every year. The Onggi Village is home to a museum and an academy, which allow you to experience this art firsthand. If you want to see the sunrise, you can head to Ganjeolgot Cape, where the sun rises the earliest in Korea. Look out to the sea from the lighthouse at Ganjeolgot Cape, put a postcard into the massive post box, and start your day renewed.
If you are interested in K-foods, make sure to purchase some sesame and perilla oil. Sesame oil is used in Korean favorites like bibimbap and bulgogi, while a spoonful of perilla oil delivers plenty of plant-based Omega-3. Sesame oil is made by roasting and pressing sesame seeds, while perilla oil is made by pressing perilla seeds.
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YETGAN SESAME & PERILLA OIL
Yetgan is a mill that has worked with sesame oil and other grains for 60 years across three generations. It uses its own methods, honed throughout the generations, to bring out deep and rich flavors. When it comes to Yetgan sesame oil, you must shake the bottle before using it. Sesame oil should be stored in cool areas away from sunlight, while perilla and raw perilla oil should be refrigerated after opening.
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GANJEOLGOT HAE BBANG Ganjeolgot Cape is the southernmost point of the East Sea, where it meets the southern coast of Korea. It is the first place in the Korean Peninsula to see the sunrise, so on New Year’s Day, people from all over Korea come over to see the first sunrise. Ganjeolgot Hae Bbang (“Sun Bread”) has two flavors: “custard cream” and “butter and red bean paste.”
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GANJEOLGOT HAE BBANG
Ganjeolgot Hae Bbang is best served with milk, particularly chilled. They are individually packed, making good ifts as well. Despite the name of the bread, the main store for Ganjeolgot Hae Bbang is located somewhat away from Ganjeolgot Cape, and there isn’t a lot of public transportation access to the area. Thus, it is a good idea to take a car.
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Ulsan is known as the “City of Ships” thanks to its bustling shipbuilding industry. In Ulsan, locals joke that “we ship bae (pear) in our bae (ship).” This comes from the fact that Ulsan also produces great pears. Grown in the Seosaeng area, Ulsan pear is grown in pathways that the sea breeze takes toward land, which imbue them with a crispy texture and sweetness.
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SOWOLDANG PEAR CAKES
These pear cakes are made with Ulsan’s famous specialty, pears. Once in your mouth, the crunchy pear kernels add a chewy texture, and the sweetness of the pear spread makes for a smooth bite. Pear cakes from “Sowoldang” come in individual packaging, which, coupled with their appealing flavor, make them perfect gifts.
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Ulsan’s craft beer scene tends toward a smooth and clean finish. Ulju-gun’s TREVIER is a member of the first generation of craft breweries in Korea. It still produces its beer with water and materials sourced from Ulju, the “Yeongnam Alps.”
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TREVIER BEER
TREVIER’s brews are available through its brewery pub, so fans of craft beer should head there to find a selection that can satisfy all preferences. CHEYONG I.P.L, which won the 2019 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards, and Woori Ssal Lager, which uses Korean rice, add depth and fun with their stories. So, if you want a craft brew experience in Korea, head to Ulsan’s TREVIER.
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This rice cake is inspired by whales, another symbol of Ulsan. These cute cakes are chewy in texture and give way to richness with each bite. They make for perfect snacks at home and gifts alike. You can even have them as a quick breakfast. Once you’ve enjoyed your trip to Ulsan, this rice cake can help you bring back a piece of Ulsan home.
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ULSAN WHALE RICE CAKE COOPERATIVE WHALE RICE CAKE
Whale Rice Cake does not use sugar or preservatives, which reputedly makes it easy to digest. It is characterized by a chewy texture like bread and is often given as a gift. There are plenty of flavors, from milk to purple sweet potato and coffee. It goes very well with milk or coffee. Because these rice cakes are not made ahead, you have to reserve your set a day in advance via telephone.
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Jangsaeng Port, the home of Korean whaling tradition, is home to the Special Whale Culture Zone. After all, Jangsaeng Port was the place where whaling began in Korea. It is home to the Whale Museum and is located near other tourist sites like the Whale Life Experience Center, ROKS Ulsan, and the Whale Culture Village. Popular items include whale posters and whale puppets.
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UPCYCLING KILLER WHALE DOLL EXPERIENCE KIT
This experience kit allows you to create a cute doll inspired by the endangered species of killer whales. You can have fun making it, especially knowing that you are doing your part for the environment. It consists of an outer shell, upcycled filler, and a wooden pole. You unzip the shell, fill it with the filler, and close the zipper to create a cute and fluffy doll.
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STAR TWINKLING WHALE TOY
Whale toys are a popular gift for both children and adults. The Whale toys here take on extra value as an eco-friendly product made using waste plastic.
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Onggi is a Korean earthenware vessel that is fired without a glaze. In particular, tea cups or hot pots made with onggi are perfect for gifting. 50% of the onggi used in Korea are produced in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. When one walks the Oegosan Onggi Village, one can find traditional liquor cups and bottle sets made by artisans, as well as the Onggi Museum, the Folk Museum, and other experiences and photography opportunities.
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ONGGI BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Oegosan Village’s “Swimpyo Workshop & Cafe” offers shot glasses, liquor cup sets, and a Bluetooth speaker made with onggi. This is the place to go if you want to see what the art of onggi is capable of.
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Ulsan Keunaegi House in Jung-gu, Ulsan, functions as a tourist information center. The name “Keunaegi” comes from a song dedicated to the women in Bangu-dong, Ulsan. The figure of Keunaegi has become a beloved one among the people of Ulsan. Keunaegi House also functions as a space dedicated to the character. The first store sells merch, while the second floor is decorated as Keunaegi’s room.
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ULSAN KEUNAEGI DOLL
The Ulsan Keunaegi Doll, a piece of character merch made with Ulsan’s Keunaegi, is even cuter in real life. These dolls are really popular, so much so that there are fans who go to Ulsan to buy the latest merch.
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ULSAN KEUNAEGI FIGURINE
Keunaegi can be found throughout Ulsan. Wearing her iconic red one-piece dress and sporting a bob cut, this miniature figurine of Ulsan Keunaegi is perfect for gifting, thanks to its small size and light weight. Place the figurine on the desk or the table to bring Keunaegi’s energy into your daily life.
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Daewangam Park is named after the Daewangam Rock, under which the queen of King Munmu of Silla is said to be buried. The rock is connected to the mainland via a bridge, and offers a great view of the sea.
Taehwagang River, which runs through the center of Ulsan, is home to bamboo groves that have stood since the Joseon period. Ulsan’s bamboo merch is also beloved thanks to its eco-friendly and practical nature. Bamboo products tend to be durable and resistant to warping, while Bamboo’s sap helps to soothe and regenerate one’s skin.
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TRAVEALS BAMBOO SUPERFINE TOOTHBRUSH
Traveals Bamboo Superfine Toothbrush was created with the Earth and environment in mind. Rather than using plastic, this toothbrush uses fiber from “Moso bamboo,” which is said to grow more than 30cm per day. The toothbrush body is engraved with characters of migratory birds that visit the Taehwagang River in Korea, which children will love. The engravings are quite cute, so they make for good gifts.
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HAENGBOKBARAGI ULSAN BAMBOO SULFUR SOAP
Made without any chemical additives, Ulsan Bamboo Sulfur Soap has excellent antibacterial qualities with minimal irritation. Both bamboo sap and sulfur, which make up this soap, help treat inflammation and soothe the skin. It can be used by people with sensitive skin as well as those with tight, dry skin.
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Also known as “Champagne Makgeolli,” Boksoondoga Makgeolli (unrefined rice wine) is popular for its refreshing flavors. Boksoondoga Makgeolli is known for its sparkling carbonation, which, along with its light flavor, is sure to please everyone. You can taste the makgeolli if you visit Boksoondoga’s brewery, so make sure to grab that chance while you can.
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BOKSOONDOGA MAKGEOLLI
Boksoondoga Makgeolli is the best-selling product from Boksoondoga, a premium traditional Korean liquor brand that represents Ulsan. Its apricot-like color comes from the traditional fermentation process using high-quality yeast and rice, while its fine texture imbues the beverage with a refreshing palate unlike that of other takju (unrefined rice wine). The rice used is high-quality Eonyang rice, resulting in the rich flavor of grain and flavors of properly fermented makgeolli.
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Q. How did you come to create the Boksoondoga Makgeolli? I use the methods that have been passed down from my grandmother’s generation. My mother, Ms. Park Boksoon, brewed her own makgeolli and gifted them to guests. Everyone loved them, and this led to the commercialization of the beverage. I originally majored in architecture. Based on the concept of fermentation architecture under the keyword “fermentation that shapes liquor,” the brewery was reimagined as a multicultural space and rebranded to create the current Boksoondoga. The name Boksoondoga comes from my mother’s name, in fact. Generally speaking, the word doga uses the characters bowl (do, 陶) and house (ga, 家), but we use city (do, 都) and house (ga, 家) instead, meaning connecting the city and the house (countryside).
Q. What makes Boksoondoga Makgeolli so special? As I said, it’s a makgeolli made using traditional yeast culture according to the methods passed down from my grandmother’s generation. It is a makgeolli that rewards patience with natural carbonation created from long-term fermentation in old earthenware pots.
