Jayang-dong pastry shop for tomato cheese pastry to go: Stack Bakery

Chuseok is coming up and the weather has suddenly turned cooler — perfect timing, since picnic season is basically back. So here's a bakery worth knowing in Jayang-dong, great for grabbing bread before a Han River picnic.

What kind of bakery is Stack Bakery?

Stack Bakery hours and closing day

• Closed Wednesdays
• Open 08:00–21:00
• No parking, pet-friendly, takeout and delivery available

How to get to Stack Bakery from Konkuk University Station

Stack Bakery is a 10-minute walk from Konkuk University Station. It's right on the way to the Jayang-dong Han River park, so it's a great spot to grab bread on your way there.

The storefront and terrace seats

This bakery café sits on the corner of a residential block. There's a good amount of outdoor terrace seating too, so once it gets a bit cooler, it seems like a great spot for a brunch of bread and coffee on the terrace.

I went on a weekday around 3pm after lunch, but this place has quite the reputation as a bakery worth the hype, so if you're going on the weekend, I'd recommend getting there early in the morning.

Inside Stack Bakery

The moment you walk in, a rich buttery smell hits you — the smell and the visuals are almost unfair, haha.

Drink menu and prices at Stack Bakery

The second-floor seating is fairly spacious, so it'd be nice to order a sandwich and have a simple meal there. The sandwiches seemed to be made to order, and apparently they're made with croissants baked that same day — a croissant sandwich like that has to be amazing.

Drinks were reasonably priced, with an americano at ₩4,500.

The French-style pastry case

They say every bread is kneaded and baked by hand starting before dawn, and the visuals are honestly insane.

True to being a French pastry specialist, the croissant-type pastries look so plump and full that you can tell they'll be delicious without even trying them.

No. 1 best seller: the Stack croissant

As they say, the ultimate upgrade is going back to basics — plain bread often ends up tastier than the flashy, loaded stuff. From the puffed-up shape to the distinct, alive layers, if you visit Stack Bakery you should definitely try a croissant.

Even on a weekday afternoon, a lot of breads were already sold out, which confirms that if a place is popular, getting there early really is the answer.

I heard their salt bread also has big chunks of butter and a crisp-outside, moist-inside texture, so next time I'll make sure to visit in the morning and try that too.

Are the second-floor seats good for laptop work?

Since most customers were there for takeout, the in-store seating was relatively empty. If you go on a weekday, you probably won't have to worry about finding a seat.

There were more two-person tables and window bar seats than group tables — a good café for a date near Konkuk Univ. or for working on a laptop.

It's a good spot for laptop work near Konkuk Univ., so I think I'll be dropping by often.

Especially on a sunny day, the light streaming in by the window seats made the mood even better.

It's decorated tastefully in spots too, so it's cute enough to snap a photo for your Instagram story.

Tasting the takeout breads and coffee at home

• Americano - ₩4,500
• Decaf americano - ₩5,000
• Croissant - ₩4,500
• Pain au chocolat - ₩5,200
• Angbutter salt bread - ₩4,500
• Tomato cheese pastry - ₩4,500

I meant to eat in, but ended up running later than expected, so unfortunately I packed everything to go this time. I heard Stack Bakery's coffee is made with beans roasted by a roaster with 15 years of experience, so I got curious and ordered one decaf and one regular iced americano. The acidity wasn't too strong, not bitter, and clean overall — I bet it would've been even better paired with a buttery croissant. Next time I'm definitely eating in.

The bread I brought home and handed out one piece each to my family. Lined up like this, it looks even more delicious.

Since the salt bread with butter and red bean paste seemed best eaten the same day, I ate this one first.

And of course, it lived up to expectations. The visuals were already impressive, but the trio of salty-sweet red bean paste and rich butter was the best combo. I didn't even reheat it in an air fryer, and the bottom was still crisp with a moist inside — eating it fresh out of the oven must be unreal.

The pastries have that glossy sheen that says it all. I warmed one slightly in the oven the next day, and the crisp texture with a chewy inner layer was the kind of flavor that demands a glass of milk.

The croissant was mild, so even my mom, who doesn't usually go for sweet bread, ate it happily. The tomato cheese pastry was savory with a bright tomato tang, making it a nice easy breakfast option.

Is Stack Bakery in Jayang-dong worth a visit?

The base dough itself is so good that whichever bread you choose — plain or topped — it comes out right. The shapes are also pretty enough to make good gifts, and the space on the second floor is quiet and cozy, making it a comfortable café to relax in.