Seoul Bakery Pilgrimage — 5 Iconic Bakeries
Begin at Seoul’s oldest bakery and work your way through spots known for pillowy shu-cream puffs and generously filled breads — five stops that show why locals love their bakeries.
Key Highlights
- •Kick off at Seoul’s oldest bakery for classic loaves and a nostalgic atmosphere
- •Don’t miss the shop famed for shu-cream (best enjoyed the day it’s made)
- •Choose bakeries that use generous, high-quality fillings — arrive mid-morning before popular items sell out
Overview
A guided mini-tour of five notable Seoul bakeries—from the city's oldest establishment in Jangchung-dong to neighborhood favorites known for rich cream-filled pastries and generously stuffed loaves—each entry gives location, hours, signature items, and a local review.
Starting from Seoul's oldest bakery and moving to a shop where choux cream melts sweetly on your tongue, all the way to a place known for its hefty, ingredient-packed "mammoth" loaves — here's a short pilgrimage through five representative bakeries in Seoul that are perfect for a bread-focused day out.
1. The longtime guardian of Seoul bakeries, Jangchung-dong Taegukdang
Taegukdang (Jangchung-dong)
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[Siksin TIP]
▲ Location: 7, Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 08:00 - 22:30
▲ Prices: Taegukdang Ice Cream 2,500 won; Vegetable Sarada 5,500 won
▲ Review (Siksin Chairman): I've eaten countless breads, but Taegukdang's vegetable sarada is truly top-tier... It's impressive just from the size. The price is a bit high, but the taste and portions justify it. And honestly, the bread itself is delicious. Visiting here brings nostalgia for older folks and fun for kids.~^^
2. A flavor kept across three generations, Seongbuk-dong Napoleon Gwajajeom
Napoleon Gwajajeom (Seongbuk-dong)
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[Siksin TIP]
▲ Location: 7, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 08:30 - 21:30
▲ Prices: Savory Sarada 5,000 won; Fresh Cream Bread 2,000 won
▲ Review (Siksin Bread Fanatic): One of the famed three historic Seoul bakeries! As expected, it's crowded and the selection is huge. Everything looked so tempting I wanted to buy it all. The big white cream-cheese bread stood out — amazing both in looks and taste. The crust is pleasantly chewy and it's packed with cream cheese. Next time I'll try a cake!
3. Charming antique atmosphere, Seongsan-dong Richmond Jegwajeom
Richmond Jegwajeom (Seongsan-dong)
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[Siksin TIP]
▲ Location: 86, World Cup Buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 08:00 - 22:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
▲ Prices: Choux cream (shu cream) 2,700 won; Gongju chestnut pie 2,800 won
▲ Review (Siksin "ThisIsMyNickname"): My husband, who loves bread, often brings loafs home from here after work. Everything in the shop is homemade, so shelf life is short — you can't stock up and forget it. That keeps the breads tasting fresh and prevents that reheated-bread feeling. It always tastes newly made!
4. A soft, enveloping chorus of texture, Seocho-dong Kim Young-mo Gwajajeom
Kim Young-mo Gwajajeom (Seocho-dong)
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[Siksin TIP]
▲ Location: 41-4, Seocho-daero 64-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 08:30 - 22:30
▲ Prices: Garlic Baguette 6,000 won; Mont Blanc 6,000 won
▲ Review (Siksin YeotYeot): This bakery is known for having produced some of Korea's earliest certified master bakers — it's a well-regarded name in Seocho. The bread is delicious and well known locally. Craving bread? Come here.
5. Generous with fillings, Bongcheon-dong Jang Boulangerie
Jang Boulangerie (Bongcheon-dong)
Image credit: Siksin content team
Image credit: Siksin content team
[Siksin TIP]
▲ Location: 8, Nakseongdae-yeok-gil, Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 07:00 - 22:00
▲ Prices: Mammoth 6,000 won; Fresh Cream Red Bean Bun 2,500 won
▲ Review (Siksin Hyunijjang): This is my favorite and I go often — amazing value for money. The fillings are generous, so even a few purchases feel heavy. I buy a bunch every time and stock up at home. Try the fresh cream red bean bun, the chocolate-covered selection, and definitely the mammoth bread!
Summary
- •Historic and nostalgic: Taegukdang in Jangchung-dong for classic bakery items and large vegetable sarada sandwiches
- •Generations of craft: Napoleon Gwajajeom in Seongbuk-dong for cream-filled breads and a wide selection of pastries
- •Hearty, ingredient-rich loaves: Jang Boulangerie in Bongcheon-dong for the heavy, generously filled "mammoth" breads
Glossary
- Mammoth (맘모스) bread
- A large, dense loaf or bun loaded with generous amounts of fillings — named for its hefty, weighty presence
- Monaka
- A Japanese-style wafer shell filled with ice cream; popular in Korean bakeries as a simple chilled treat
- Sarada (사라다)
- A Korean-style potato or vegetable salad often used as a sandwich filling in bakeries (think creamy, savory 'salad' sandwich)
- 빵지순례 (ppang-ji sun-rye)
- A local trend of visiting multiple bakeries in one outing to sample signature breads — literally a ‘bakery pilgrimage.’
- 슈크림 (shu-cream / choux cream)
- Light, sweet custard or cream used to fill choux pastries and cream puffs; best eaten fresh for optimal texture.