Bakery café by Hopo Station, Yangsan: Strawberry Raspberry Shot, Choi

What is Choi Main Branch in Hopo, Yangsan like?

Choi Main Branch (초이 본점) is a large bakery café right across from Hopo Station, and its big parking lot makes it easy to visit by car. There are lots of big cafés with plenty of bakery choices near Hopo Station, but this time I visited Choi Main Branch, a leading bakery café in Yangsan that has just been refreshed and is drawing even more visitors. Hopo is close to Hwamyeong, so I seem to end up here often.

Because it sits directly opposite Hopo Station, it is very easy to reach, and the large parking lot means drivers can visit comfortably too.

The moment I stepped inside, the display shelves packed with all kinds of baked goods caught my eye.

Haereul Pumeun Dal at Choi, with seasonal raspberries

Haereul Pumeun Dal (해를 품은 달, "the moon embracing the sun") is a special bakery item you can only get at Choi in Hopo, Yangsan. Raspberries are in season right now, so it comes topped with raspberries, I was told. The sun-and-moon combination is so pretty that it seems perfect as a gift. The staff recommended it enthusiastically, so I tried it, and it was really delicious.

What breads does Choi Main Branch have?

Choi Main Branch has such a wide range of breads, including croissants, salt bread, pastries, cakes and cookies, that I struggled to decide what to pick. With so many options, anyone who loves bread should be satisfied. The nutty smell of freshly baked bread filled the shop, so choosing just one was not easy.

What does Choi's Strawberry Raspberry Shot taste like?

Choi's signature items are said to be the No. 1 Croissant, made by a croissant champion, and the Strawberry Raspberry Shot.

The Strawberry Raspberry Shot is a pastry filled with chewy brownie and tangy raspberry compote. When I bit in, sweet raspberry flavor and tart blueberry came together between the crisp pastry layers for a rich taste. The balance of sweet and tangy was good, so it was a dessert bread that is easy to enjoy.

Jambon-beurre sandwich

Choi Main Branch sells not only basic bakery items but also jambon-beurre sandwiches (ham and butter on baguette), which I love, and a variety of cakes, so I was even happier. Appetizing jambon-beurre sandwiches were lined up neatly on one side of the display. Ham and plenty of butter between crisp-baked bread made my mouth water just looking. It seems good as a light meal, so I thought I definitely want to try it next visit.

Cake corner

Choi Main Branch's cake corner was so colorful and beautiful it was like looking at a small dessert showroom. From cakes piled with colorful fruit to soft fresh cream cakes and rich chocolate cakes, there were so many that choosing was hard.

Each one looked so carefully made that it felt like tasting with my eyes first. The cakes piled with fresh fruit were so prettily colored that I could not help taking photos, and I looked forward to imagining how soft cream and moist sponge would taste together. They seem great with coffee in the café, and fine as a celebration cake for a special day too.

Tofu snacks sold only at Choi

Another item that caught my eye was the special tofu snack (두부과자) you can only find at Choi. Unlike ordinary snacks, it is made with healthy ingredients, so I was even more interested. Its plain look, suggesting the nutty flavor of tofu, made it hard to walk past. I am on a diet and often wonder what to snack on when I want something, and Choi's tofu snack seemed just right as a guilt-free healthy treat. With a crunchy texture and nutty taste, it seemed good alongside coffee, and handy when you are a little hungry.

How was Choi's salt bread with a café latte?

On this visit to Choi Main Branch I ordered the Strawberry Raspberry Shot, a salt bread (소금빵, buttery rolled bread with coarse salt) and a café latte. The salt bread was crisp outside and moist inside, with a rich buttery flavor.

The moderate saltiness, not overdone, brought out the bread's nuttiness and made it just right with coffee. Crisp outside, moist inside, with a subtle buttery aroma, it was an impressive salt bread.

The café latte I ordered with it was satisfying too. The deep flavor of espresso and the softness of milk blended naturally, making it good alongside bread.

Salt bread and latte in particular is a no-fail pairing, with plain yet nutty flavors that go well together.

Choi Main Branch's space and Nakdong River view seats

One of Choi Main Branch's biggest strengths is its spacious, pleasant space. The 1st floor is where you can browse and buy all kinds of baked goods, and the 2nd floor is a café area where you can stay and relax.

The seats are spaced widely so it felt comfortable, and natural light through the large windows made the atmosphere brighter and more pleasant.

The big draw is that you can see the Nakdong River from the rooftop and the 2nd-floor window seats. Looking out the window with a cup of coffee, I felt like I had gone on a little trip in the middle of the city. The mood is great for spending unhurried time, so I would recommend it for dates, family outings and get-togethers with friends.

Is it OK with kids or for group gatherings?

Choi has baby chairs, so it would be really good to come with a child. And there is group seating too, so Choi is a good café for gatherings.

Going back to Choi Main Branch in Yangsan

Above all, I felt Choi Main Branch is a leading bakery café in Yangsan that has it all: a wide variety of bakery items, high-quality coffee, a big parking lot and a lovely Nakdong River view.

The bread range is so wide that there were many things I did not get to try this time. Next visit I definitely want to try Choi's signature No. 1 Croissant.

If you want to enjoy delicious bread, coffee and a relaxed space all together, I recommend Choi Main Branch in Yangsan.

• Address: 83 Yangsan-daero, Dongmyeon, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, South Korea (across from Hopo Station)
• Hours: daily 09:00–21:50
• 2nd-floor café last order: 21:20