Bucheon bakery bread and sellouts: Chamsae Bori Sikppang

I bought Daesang Chalbori and Rye Chalbori at Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch (참새보리식빵 부천본점) in Bucheon. The breads' mild flavor and chewy texture stayed with me, but I was disappointed that there were few varieties to choose from even a little after 11 a.m.

Where is Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch?

The shop is on the first floor at 183-1 Gyeongin-ro, Sosa-gu, Bucheon, South Korea. I became interested after hearing that it had been featured in the bread episode of SBS's Master of Life, “War of Bread.”

During my visit, the posted opening time was 10 a.m., and the regular closing days were Monday and Thursday. The shop closed early once all the bread was sold. There was no dedicated parking lot, so I thought public transportation would be more convenient.

What bread could I buy after 11 a.m.?

When I arrived after 11 a.m., much of the bread had already sold. I could buy only two varieties: Daesang Chalbori and Rye Chalbori. Based on my visit, if you want to choose from several varieties, it would be better to arrive around the 10 a.m. opening time.

What did the shop say about the ingredients and fermentation?

According to the shop's information, the dough is cold-fermented for 70 hours and uses 100% Korean eco-friendly barley, New Zealand grass-fed butter, high-calcium milk, eggs, and a natural starter cultivated in the shop. It also said that no chemical additives, preservatives, or margarine are used.

How much were Daesang Chalbori and Rye Chalbori?

The Daesang Chalbori I bought was ₩6,000, and the Rye Chalbori was ₩3,700. Especially considering bread prices these days, the Rye Chalbori felt relatively affordable.

The menu prices during my visit were as follows. I was not able to buy the Grain Chalbori this time.

• Daesang Chalbori: ₩6,000
• Grain Chalbori: ₩6,500
• Rye Chalbori: ₩3,700

How did the two loaves differ in flavor and texture?

Because they were made with barley, I expected the bread to be a little dry, but it was actually chewy and soft. Daesang Chalbori had a springy texture, with a pronounced hearty, nutty flavor characteristic of barley. It suited times when I wanted a simple loaf of bread with a mild flavor.

Rye Chalbori had the mild flavor of rye, and a gentle nuttiness emerged as I chewed. It was neither very sweet nor strongly flavored, so I thought it would work well as a light breakfast.

I sometimes feel bloated after eating bread, but this time it felt less burdensome afterward. I also remember that it felt comfortable on my stomach.

What were the cream sample and gift wrapping like?

At the tasting corner, there was bread topped generously with cream. I tried a bite, liked it, and bought one cream as well. At home, I ate the bread with strawberry jam, and that combination was tasty too.

There was also neat gift wrapping paper. I thought it would be good for wrapping a loaf as a gift for someone I know.

What events and merchandise were available during my visit?

During my visit, there was a notice for an event that gave out a financier for writing a Naver receipt review.

There was also a Jjaekbori eco bag featuring a sparrow character. The notice said it could be received after collecting 100 shop coupons.

I would like to return when I am craving mildly savory, nutty bread rather than sweet, elaborate dessert breads. This time I could choose only two varieties because of the sellout, so I plan to go a little earlier next time to try more.