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Taste Fresh, Delicious Pastries and Bread

Seoul's Independent Bakeries

Seoul's independent bakeries are noteworthy for their original recipes as well as their dedication to making fresh goods by hand. Travelers to Seoul can try bread and pastries made from decades-old recipes as well as novel new creations that are as trendy as they are tasty and creative. Visit three of Seoul's best independent bakeries to taste some of the country's best baked goods.

Delectable Pastries and Bread from a Neighborhood Mainstay 

Hyoja Bakery is famous for being the official bakery of Cheong Wa Dae (Office of the President). For the last 26 years, Hyoja Bakery has supplied the Blue House. The 1st floor is the storefront, and the 2nd floor is where all of the baking is done. Near the bakery’s entrance there is a platter of samples for visitors to taste. The shop’s most popular product is their original creation, Hyoja's cornbread. Hyoja’s cornbread is a pull-apart bread with a filling of savory corn kernels and diced onions. The cornbread is so popular that it is often sells out in the afternoon. The bakery’s second most popular bread is their onion and cream cheese soboro (Korean streusel). The third most popular item is the "fig bloom" pastry made with fermented dough and a fig filling. The “fig bloom” pastry is healthy as it is delicious. Try other treats such as almond crepes, cookies, and more. Visitors who want to eat their bread straightaway should head to the cafea cross the street from the bakery to feast on their baked goods. Patrons who stop by the cafe after purchasing bread from Hyoja receive a discount on their drinks.

Tour the Gyeongbokgung Area

There’s lots to see in the area by Gyeongbokgung Palace. Head out of exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line 3 and see Gyeongbokgung, the grandest of Seoul’s 5 palaces, or visit the National Palace Museum of Korea and learn about Korea’s palaces and royalty. The Daelim Museum, with a wide variety of arts exhibitions is also located nearby. Food lovers shouldn’t miss the Tongin Market with its tasty and renowned street food. There are many cafes and eateries in the area that are also worth a visit. Stop by and explore the Gyeongbokgung area.

 

Try Trendy and Novel Culinary Creations

On Ne Sait Jamais doesn’t have a store sign but that's not the only unique aspect of this eatery's design. On Ne Sait Jamais' unique interior design is likely leave a lasting impression. The interior design is reminiscent of a Korean sauna and the seating layout is an open-plan format, which allows for easy conversation over desserts and drinks. On Ne Sait Jamais offers French, American, and Italian-style desserts. They have four signature desserts that are always offered, but the rest of the menu sees frequent updates and changes. Some of the signature dishes are an espresso icebox cake made with espresso cream and layers of cookies; the macaron icebox cake made with marscapone and layers of macarons and cherries and a traditional Italian tiramisu thick with the fragrance of espresso. There is coffee and beer for sale as well as drinks made from natural ingredients like tea. Cake slices are about 7,000 won each and drinks start at 4,000 won.

Explore the Hannam-dong Area

There are many cultural attractions in Hannam-dong to explore. The Hyundai Card Music Library is the perfect place to go to enjoy music-related books and records. Listen to old school vinyl albums on the turntables at the library. The trendy D Museum is located nearby and the museum hosts exhibitions of innovative modern art. Additionally, the world’s largest Line Friends store, the Seoul flagship is located not to far away in Itaewon.

 

Tasty Cubed Bread from MilkCow in Boots

MilkCow in Boots is famous for their tasty and fun cube-shaped bread. The bread has been fermented at low temperatures and is noted for its chewiness as well as their fun shape. There are 8 varieties of bread in total. The milk cream bread is especially popular in the wintertime. The cheese bread made with cheddar and mozzarella is another popular item, as is the savory olive bread. For those in search of a sweet treat, there is a delicious rye bread with chocolate chips and cranberries. MilkCow in Boots also sells flavored milk; the milk is flavored naturally with different flavors of tea. There is a discount when purchasing milk and bread at the same time. Miniature cubes of bread are also available here. Korean cream bread is a real speciality and they offer a gift set of mini bread cubes. Visitors may also want to try the castella bread, which has a sweet red bean fondant.

Visit the Samcheong-dong Area

Samcheong-dong is home to some of the nation’s most distinguished art galleries such as the Gallery Hyundai, the Kumho Museum of Art, the Kukje Gallery, the Hakgojae Gallery, and the Arario Gallery. There are many exhibitions that are open to the public with no admission fees, so visitors can see interesting art of all kinds. The last Wednesday of every month is Culture Day and attractions such as museums have extended hours of operation. The National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art remain open until 21:00 on Culture Day.