Ulsan City held the ribbon-cutting on the Ulsan Bridge on the 10th, launching the country’s first dining space built on top of a bridge.
The center occupies the pedestrian-only upper deck of Ulsan Bridge, which links the old and new downtowns. Four temporary structures, each 52㎡ (about 560 sq ft), were installed to harmonize with the Taehwa River’s scenery.
Hall 1 is a café. Hall 2 serves Uzbek and Mexican cuisine. Hall 3 features Thai and Vietnamese fare. Hall 4 brings Japanese and Italian dishes. So whether you’re craving pasta, pho, tacos, borscht-style comfort, or sushi, there’s something authentic to try — all with an unobstructed view of the Taehwa River.
The Vietnamese and Thai restaurants are run by marriage immigrants, while the Mexican, Italian and Japanese vendors were chosen through a competitive bidding process and promise high-quality menus. The café is operated by the Ulsan Jung-gu Senior Club, a senior employment organization.
The center is open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM, closed on Mondays. Each country offers two to three traditional menu items.
This project is part of Ulsan’s push to become a cultural city where people from around the world want to live. Officials say it will also support multicultural integration — foreign residents already make up about 2.7 per 100 people in Ulsan.
Ulsan City plans to develop the site into an eco-tourism route that links visits to the Taehwa River National Garden, waterfront leisure activities and international dining experiences.
Mayor Kim Du-gyeom said, “The World Food Culture Center will be a distinctive spot for residents and visitors, and it will help improve living conditions for foreign workers.”
