Early Beans Cafe Sanjeong Lake 2026: Scenic Views & Warm Oden

A clean spot with an incredible view.

However, considering the ambiance,

the prices felt a bit steep... hmm.

Still, a reliable spot for oden when visiting Sanjeong Lake!

Words/Photos by Loopy Ddong

September 2026

Catching up on posts

Location & Important Info

<Operating Hours>

9 AM - 6 PM

<Parking>

Sanjeong Lake Parking Lot

The upper parking lot might be closer.

Exterior Charm

My mother had often admired Early Beans while out on her walks and expressed a desire to visit, so we finally made a trip!

Inside Early Beans

Inside, the window seats are definitely the prime spots, offering the best views of the lake.

However, the prime window seats were already occupied by other patrons, and with only a few two-person tables available, we simply took an open spot.

The Menu

The menu offered a good variety, including aromatic flower teas and even Pororo drinks for the kids.

Americano: ~$4 / ~$5

Cafe Latte: ~$5

Extra Shot: ~$1

Decaf Add-on: ~$1

It seemed there was also a second floor, but I didn't get a chance to explore it.

Our Order

We ordered a variety of drinks including:

Signature Bean Cream Latte

Lake Sherbet Ade

Vanilla Latte, and regular Latte, among others.

The Signature Cream Latte was rich and delicious with plenty of cream, though it felt a bit strong for my personal preference. The Vanilla Latte was quite sweet, so much so that I asked for extra milk. And for the price, the latte art was a minor disappointment.

The Lake Sherbet Ade, true to its vibrant appearance, is definitely a taste sensation that kids will adore.

It's tasty with ice cream, but the tartness is quite pronounced – making it perfect for a refreshing treat on a warmer day.

Thanks to the large, expansive windows,

the view from the window seats is absolutely breathtaking!

It had a wonderfully cozy winter ambiance, which was lovely.

It feels like you're paying more for the seat than the drink...

The view is undeniably fantastic, and of course, after a renovation, the owners would naturally want to recoup their investment quickly. However, with self-pickup and return service, and considering the view-to-drink price ratio, it felt overly expensive. That was a real shame.

These prices are typical for large, spacious cafes where you can spend hours. If the prices were just slightly adjusted (even for just the Americano or Latte), I'd be a regular visitor.

A heart made by children playing outside!

Our Go-To Oden Spot

This is our usual spot for oden whenever we visit Sanjeong Lake.

You'll find it on the right side of the path as you head towards the Sanjeong Lake amusement park area (opposite the restrooms).

The couple who runs this stall has been here for quite some time. They're genuinely kind people, never overcharging or aggressively soliciting customers. (This is not an advertisement or sponsorship!)

Sanjeong Lake has a long history, and the traditional snacks sold here are quite consistent across vendors. While street food might not always boast the highest hygiene standards, it's perfectly fine for a quick, casual bite.

Whenever we're craving a snack, we always come here. On this particular evening, a group of us arrived as the sun was setting and bought several items. They even gave us some broken dalgona (honeycomb candy) as a service, seeing the kids with us. (Note: this isn't a regular occurrence!)

We always get oden, usually some full-bbang (fish-shaped bread), and sometimes dried squid or dalgona. I recall they also had slushies during the hotter months.

I truly hope these wonderful people continue to thrive! See you next time!