Danyang market bakery, watching six-clove garlic bread bake: Danppang

Why I queued at Danppang Bakery in Danyang's Gugyeong Market

Danppang Bakery (단빵제빵소) is a garlic bread bakery inside Danyang Gugyeong Market, and if you walk a loop around the market, it's the place with the long line. If you asked me where I always stop on a trip to Danyang, I'd say Gugyeong Market without even thinking. The market has so much food and is fun to wander, so it's a must on any trip.

This time too, I was circling the market when I spotted a long line of people waiting at one spot. Up close, it was Danppang Bakery! I'd heard for ages that it was famous, and this time I wanted to try it myself, so I joined the line.

How long is the weekend wait at Danppang Bakery?

When I visited on a weekend afternoon, the wait was about 20 minutes. There were really a lot of people. I worried, "Will this be 30 to 40 minutes?" but the line shrank faster than expected and I bought my bread in about 20 minutes.

Watching the garlic bread being made through the window

One thing kept the wait from being boring: you can watch the bread being made through the glass window. The staff kneading, baking and packing without a break was impressive. Fresh bread kept coming out, and the buttery, garlicky smell drifting out made the wait something to look forward to.

Pre-ordering fried chicken across the street while waiting

While waiting, I also pre-ordered dakgangjeong (sweet crunchy fried chicken) from the shop across the way and got a number ticket. That way I could pick up the chicken right after buying the garlic bread, and I was really happy with how the route worked out. If you're heading to Gugyeong Market, I recommend using your time like this, haha.

How does Danyang six-clove garlic bread taste?

Danppang Bakery is famous for its garlic bread made with yukjjok maneul (six-clove garlic), a Danyang specialty. The aroma is stronger than ordinary garlic, but it feels less sharp or spicy and has a gentle sweetness that pairs really well with the bread.

On the first bite the garlic aroma bursts out, but the finish is soft and sweet, so I kept reaching for more. Even I, someone who normally loves garlic bread, thought, "This is definitely different." After tasting it, I immediately understood why so many people buy it when they visit.

Danppang Bakery menu: what to buy on a first visit

There were more kinds of bread than I expected. For a first visit, I recommend the Best Set, which lets you try several kinds at once. Here's what you can pick from, depending on your taste:

• Black garlic cream cheese garlic bread (the most famous item)
• Cream cheese garlic bread
• Baguette garlic bread
• Sweet potato custard bread
• Best Set (several kinds at once)

I tried several, and each had its own charm, so they were good for sharing with family, and the selection works well as a gift too. The packaging is neat, so I could see why it's so popular as a travel souvenir.

Ordering Danppang Bakery garlic bread by courier, and reheating it at home

I hear you can order Danppang Bakery garlic bread by courier too. While eating I thought, "I want this at home too," so that was a relief. It's the kind of taste I'll probably crave after the trip, so next time I plan to order it by courier.

At home, I hear that just 3 to 5 minutes in an air fryer brings back that fresh-from-the-oven texture, crisp outside and moist inside. The baguette garlic bread in particular gets much more flavorful when warmed, while the cream cheese ones stay soft even cold, so each had its own charm.

Is Danppang Bakery worth the line among Gugyeong Market foods?

You do have to queue a little, but the line moves fast so I didn't wait as long as I feared, and the taste beat my expectations, so I was very satisfied. Walking around Gugyeong Market, you see tons of people carrying Danppang Bakery shopping bags. Seeing that, I thought, "Maybe I'll get one too," and ended up truly understanding why it's famous.

If you're planning a trip to Danyang, I recommend trying it at least once as a Gugyeong Market snack. It adds to the fun of the trip and is a special treat that reminds you of Danyang once you're home. It's the place I'd go back to first next time I'm in Danyang. :)