Bucheon bakery: hand-torn whole vs sliced barley loaf, Chamsae Bori

Is there any food in the world as universally loved as bread? But it's also true that it's dense in carbs, so you have to watch your blood sugar.

I heard there's a loaf bakery in Bucheon with relatively healthy bread, so I came to check it out.

Location and hours of Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch

Chamsae Bori Sikppang (참새보리식빵) Bucheon main branch is at 183-1 Gyeongin-ro, Sosa-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, on the 1st floor. It is open daily 10:00–21:00 and closes early if everything sells out. It is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.

Is there parking or delivery?

The shop has no parking lot, so I recommend the Bucheon Nambu Station public parking lot. It's quite cheap at ₩2,100 per hour. After parking, there's the fun of browsing Bucheon Free Market (부천자유시장) on the way to the bakery. Delivery isn't available either, so keep that in mind. Once you visit, you'll understand. The shop is packed from the morning and the staff are run off their feet.

Exterior

I arrived right around opening time. The exterior is modest, like an ordinary neighborhood bakery.

Okay, shall we go in? But... oh my goodness... The inside was packed with people...!

Interior

The shop was full of people. So the talk about having to queue was true. The meaning behind the numbers on the sign, every one of them is impressive. "Barley picked by sparrows" haha, that phrase is so cute. I actually pictured a sparrow picking out barley grains one by one.

Plump, delicious-looking loaves.

The staff keep refilling the tasting bread so there's never a gap! Good haha (That whipped cream was so delicious... surprise)

Just three items on the menu: what do they cost?

There are only three items on the menu.

Praised by a master baker: Daesang Chewy Barley Loaf (₩6,000) Soft outer layer / basic barley loaf (slicing available)

Best for blood sugar control: Grain Chewy Barley Loaf (₩6,500) Nutty outer layer / basic barley loaf + 18 grains + roasted walnuts (slicing available)

For gut health: Rye Chewy Barley Loaf (₩3,700) Nutty, mild flavor / walnuts + rye + cranberries (cannot be sliced)

But... the grain chewy barley loaf is already sold out...?! It's only 10:15! Apparently it always sells out this fast. T_T

What I ordered

• Daesang chewy barley loaf (not sliced) - 1
• Daesang chewy barley loaf (sliced) - 1
• Rye chewy barley loaf - 2

Even without the sold-out grain loaf, it's a solid lineup that's both cute and generous.

How does the rye chewy barley loaf taste?

Let's start with the rye chewy barley loaf. It's small, half the size of the other loaves. Raisins, nuts and cranberries are studded throughout the bread. Ah, so that's why it can't go in the slicer!

Overall it's nutty and healthy-tasting. The sweetness of cranberries and raisins is added on top, so the balance is great. If nobody stopped me I'd keep tearing off pieces, more than 10 of them haha. Those who know, know. And as the name "chewy barley" suggests, it has a really springy chew. Like rice cake, you could say? I expected barley to be dry and crumbly, but it was the complete opposite.

Daesang chewy barley loaf, sliced version

Next is the sliced Daesang chewy barley loaf. The Daesang loaf was indescribably moister than the rye one. Softer and more tender, a texture that seems like it would turn into rice cake if you squeezed it hard. The cross-section is full of holes like cheese, and isn't that proof of good fermentation? The aroma was nutty with a fermented scent too. Took a bite and, how do I put it... it's sweet. Not sugar sweetness but the natural sweetness of barley. It's been a long time since I tasted pure sweetness that isn't artificial. It has this kind of chewy springiness. Both texture and taste are excellent. How am I supposed to eat plain milk loaves now, they seem so bland.

The bread itself tastes so good... I had prepared a variety of jams... but I felt no need for them at all. I didn't even open the lids haha. Sorry, jams.

Why you should buy it whole instead of sliced

And last, the whole Daesang chewy barley loaf. I meant to cut it with a knife, but a whole loaf like this... tastes best torn by hand. The feel of splitting it in half is tremendous. It's so full of moisture and chewiness that I divided it carefully so it wouldn't get squished. Whether it's yeast or barley, a fragrant, nutty smell spreads softly through the room. I decided I shouldn't get it sliced from now on. It's much moister and tearing it apart is really fun haha.

I wonder how many people know the taste and fun of tearing it layer by layer? Even though I needed to have dinner, I kept eating, using photo-taking as an excuse.

If you find the grain and carefully peel it apart, you get thin, moist, irresistible bread. Around this point I wished someone would stop me.

Dr. Gom's nutrition check

The bread at Chamsae Bori Sikppang Bucheon main branch is a different breed from ordinary loaves. It lowers the share of refined flour and raises the share of barley, whole grains and nuts, designed to be better for blood sugar management and digestion. The beta-glucan in chewy barley slows digestion and absorption and may help ease post-meal blood sugar spikes, and the complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats from the 18 grains and walnuts are structured to give lasting fullness and steady energy. There are studies suggesting that the fiber and polyphenols in rye and cranberries may help gut health and act as antioxidants. It's a health-minded bread with gentler blood sugar swings than ordinary loaves that rely on simple sugars.

Final thoughts

Chamsae Bori Sikppang Bucheon main branch was no ordinary bakery. Already full at opening time, and the grain chewy barley loaf sold out within 15 minutes. That popularity is no accident. The natural sweetness of barley, the springy chew, the addictive pull-apart quality that makes it hard to stop. I never imagined a loaf you can enjoy with relatively little blood sugar worry would taste like this. If you're near Bucheon, it's absolutely worth queuing once.