10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Ulsan

Ulsan Young Street is where you should go if you fancy a leisurely stroll after dinner in the industrial district. The 724-metre-long avenue is lined with shops, restaurants, and food stalls and it earned its name for its vibrant and youthful atmosphere.

Young Street is popular for its eel shops and restaurants – eel and fried rice is considered one of South Korea’s unique must-tries. Several speciality restaurants in the area offer fusion cuisine. At night, the atmosphere becomes more lively with its street lights and decor. Visit during the Snowflake Festival (from December 24^th to 31^st ) when it’s even more festive with celebrations, shows, Christmas decor, and artificial snowflakes.

Ulsan Central Market or Ulsan Jungang Market is the largest traditional market in the metropolitan city. The market offers local fare and delicacies such as barbecued eel, along with traditional medicinal items such as senega root, sweet flag, and ginseng that you aren’t likely to find in other places. There are also shops and stalls offering local street food such as tteokpokki (simmered rice cake) and eomuk (fish cake).

Another popular night market in the same neighbourhood is Keunaegi Night Market near Ulsan Young Street, which is also the first permanent night market in Ulsan. Open year-round, Keunaegi features affordable food such as Korean beef steak, white noodle soup, and rolled bacon.

Seuldo Lighthouse is where many Ulsan locals fish with their families in summer. As a port city, Ulsan has many lighthouses, but Sueldo is the most notable, with convenient and cosy coffee shops and restaurants like Hole in the Wall where you can enjoy a roast dinner and enjoy the view. Its island home can be reached via the Seuldo Bridge. Along the way, spot the whale sculpture that’s meant to wish visitors happiness and good luck.

While in the area, you may also want to visit Daewangnam Park, Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, and Ulgi Lighthouse, which was built in 1906.

Ulsan Bridge Observatory is one of the more recent landmarks in the city that has also quickly become one of the most popular. It gives you a spectacular 360-degree view of the city’s industrial district and the 7 mountains surrounding it.

From the observatory, enjoy a panoramic view of the Ulsan bridge, the 3^rd-longest short-span bridge in Asia. The walk to the observatory is a pleasant one since it’s lined with cypress trees that beautifully combine the industrial area with nature.

Hamwolru is a traditional Korean pavilion that was built in 2015 and offers a scenic view of downtown Ulsan. Open to all, it’s a popular viewpoint, providing superb views of the city’s nightscapes. The 1,800-metre-long Ulsandaegyo Bridge and the bright lights of the big city come into view.

From the high-perched pavilion, you can also spot Hamwolsan Mountain and Baekyangsa Temple, a temple that has stood for 1,000 years. If you visit during the Lunar New Year, Ulsan locals hold a special sunrise event at the site to mark the new year.

Taehwagang Bamboo Forest near the Taehwagang River in Ulsan is one of Ulsan’s hidden gems. It’s where you can walk through a bamboo forest and hike through a verdant area with cool refreshing breezes blowing through the tall canopies. Though the park is open all day, one of the best times to visit is at dusk.

Evenings at Taehwagang treat you to decorative string lights hung on bamboo trees that transform the whole area into a magical forest of light and beauty. A good way to start is by heading out in the afternoon and enjoying your strolls, in time for the lights to be turned on.

The Ulsan Culture and Arts Centre hosts many annual festivals in South Korea celebrating culture and music. One notable event is the Cheoyong Culture Festival, which celebrates South Korean traditional dance and poetry and has evolved into an annual event showcasing traditional dance styles from around the globe. The centre is also a popular venue for ballets, concerts, and artistic exhibitions.

The art centre has large indoor and outdoor theatres, exhibition halls, and facilities such as a cafeteria, rehearsal area, and information areas. Recent hit musicals staged at the centre include Jekyll & Hyde by Korea’s OD Company, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic.

Trevier is South Korea’s premier brewing company, based in the industrial district of Ulsan. A visit to the brewery’s showroom helps us understand and appreciate the traditional Korean beer-making process in the Yeongnam region. They also showcase how they’ve successfully combined traditional and modern brewing methods.

After the tour, beer lovers can sample their brews and craft beer by heading over to the Trevi Brau BrewPub. You can also enjoy a meal paired with one of their craft brews. Try the pale ale as it is one of the best in their collection.

Peipeosup is where Ulsan’s coffee culture is alive and well, combined with a spectacular view of the city. You can savour a cup of coffee, muffins, tiramisu, and gateau while you relax. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, they also have smoothies, tea, and beer to enjoy with the view.

The café is on the 2^nd floor, with a terrace that overlooks the city. Many go there before sunrise and just in time for the golden hour and dramatic sunsets. The cool air also makes it an ideal place for lounging on a summer night.

Samsan-dong is a lively neighbourhood in Ulsan that has unofficially become the city’s nightlife hub. The downtown area has a neat collection of bars and clubs where you can enjoy drinks, dinner, and mingling.

One place to visit is Thursday Party where travellers and locals meet. It has fun and games like darts, beer pong, and battleship, with a playlist of K-pop and western music. In the mood for dancing and drinks? Head down to Holiday Nightclub, which is considered one of the more prestigious clubs in Samsan-dong with resident DJs. For drinks with cool views of Ulsan, Cima Bar is a rooftop bar to hit. If a more relaxed vibe is what you seek, try IVAN(bar), which serves cocktails with Korean cuisine.