Raspberry almond croissant at Mangwon bakery Boulangerie Copain

I visited Boulangerie Copain (블랑제리코팡), a must when you talk about bakeries in Mangwon. I'd known this place for a while and even bought bread here with my own money, but this time I was invited as a sponsored reviewer, so I walked in feeling extra happy. It was on SBS's Master of Life (생활의 달인) as a baguette and croissant master, so bread lovers probably know it already. Let me honestly walk you through the 4 breads I picked myself!

What kind of bakery is Boulangerie Copain?

Boulangerie Copain is a European-style bakery on Huiujeong-ro in Mangwon-dong, and it works best as a takeout bakery. In 2018 it was introduced on SBS's Master of Life as a baguette and croissant master. On the show, the baguette reportedly got attention for not being packed too full, crisp outside and moist inside.

First impressions of Boulangerie Copain: the sign and the smell of fresh bread

Just from the sign you know it's a bakery, and when you step in, the smell of bread greets you first. There's a big sign out front that simply says "bread" (빵), so it really catches your eye. Open the door and the aroma hits you, which instantly puts you in a good mood.

In a corner, a staff member was making sandwiches by hand. Sneaking glances while choosing bread was surprisingly fun. There are really a huge number of breads, so even the time spent deciding what to take was enjoyable.

4 breads from Boulangerie Copain and what they cost

That day at Boulangerie Copain I took three sweet breads and one savory sandwich, and the total came to ₩25,500. With so many kinds to choose from, this is where I landed.

Valrhona chocolate baguette (₩7,000)

The Valrhona chocolate baguette has a really upscale chocolate flavor. It tasted so classy that the Korean slang "gaemat-do-ri" (insanely delicious) just slipped out of my mouth. When I looked up other visitors' reviews, many said the baguette itself isn't too sweet and the chocolate is studded all through it. I'd definitely recommend it to chocolate lovers.

Ham and cheese baguette sandwich (₩5,500)

The ham and cheese baguette sandwich is pleasantly salty and so good, a filling meal-type item. I hear it has sliced ham and Emmental cheese inside, and the nice saltiness kept my hand going back for more. While eating, I thought it would go perfectly dipped in a mix of olive oil and balsamic sauce. That's a combo I definitely want to try next time ^^

Chestnut loaf (₩7,000)

The chestnut loaf (밤식빵) at Boulangerie Copain is generously packed with chestnuts and the bread is moist, so I was happy the whole time I ate it. With so many chestnuts it's fun to eat, and the bread itself is moist, so I enjoyed it to the very end.

Raspberry almond croissant (₩6,000)

What impressed me about the raspberry almond croissant was the raspberry jam inside, which tasted so upscale. There's raspberry jam inside the bread, and the jam's flavor itself was really classy, which surprised me. Since this place was introduced as a croissant master, I ate it with high expectations, and it didn't let me down!

Can you eat in at Boulangerie Copain? Takeout to Mangwon Hangang Park

Boulangerie Copain is a takeout shop with no tables for eating in, so the perfect plan is to buy your bread and eat it at Mangwon Hangang Park. I paid happily, walked out, and munched away at Mangwon Hangang Park.

If you ask when you pay, they'll slice the baguette so it's easy to eat. When I asked for it to be cut for a sandwich, they handed it over neatly! By the way, the basil crunch (₩5,500) is often mentioned as Boulangerie Copain's signature item. I didn't try it this time, so I'll tell you how it tastes after I try it next time.

The walk to the Han River with a bag of bread in hand is part of this place's flavor.

Is Boulangerie Copain worth it? Final verdict

Overall, I was satisfied with all four things I picked at Boulangerie Copain that day, both the sweet breads and the salty sandwich. The luxurious raspberry jam, the rich chocolate, the just-right saltiness, and the moist chestnut loaf each had a distinct personality. I already knew this bakery, but visiting again as a sponsored reviewer made me think, yes, there's a reason people love it. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a bakery in Mangwon!

Frequently asked questions

• Q. What kind of bakery is Boulangerie Copain? A. It's a European-style bakery on Huiujeong-ro in Mangwon-dong, introduced on Master of Life as a baguette and croissant master.
• Q. Can you eat in at Boulangerie Copain? A. It's a takeout shop with no tables for eating in.