Bucheon bakery after checkout, museum bench rye loaf: Chamsae Bori

Why I stopped at Chamsae Bori after checking out in Bucheon

During a trip to Seoul I checked out of my Bucheon accommodation at 11am and, on the way to the National Museum of Korea, dropped by Chamsae Bori Sikppang (참새보리식빵) Bucheon main branch. I'd booked one night of this Seoul trip in Bucheon, and leaving without a stop felt like a waste, so I headed to this bakery I'd wanted to try for ages. It's famous in Bucheon for its bread (sikppang means loaf bread), so my expectations were high, and I was even more surprised the moment I walked in.

Will any loaves be left at Chamsae Bori at 11am?

When I got there around 11am, the shelves on the right were already completely empty. Wait... I thought the bread just hadn't come out yet, but when I asked the staff, they said the popular loaves had already sold out. That's when I really felt how popular this place is.

What is Chamsae Bori's bread made with?

Chamsae Bori says it ages its dough with 72 hours of slow, cold fermentation, using domestic eco-friendly barley and a natural starter fermented in the shop itself. I think the ingredients and method are part of why so many people love it. They say the cold fermentation produces enzymes that break down gluten, which makes the bread easier on the stomach.

I was impressed by how carefully they choose ingredients: 100% domestic eco-friendly barley, New Zealand grass-fed butter, high-calcium milk, fresh eggs, and that in-house natural starter. No chemical additives, preservatives or margarine either, which is great news for anyone looking for healthier bread, isn't it?

The rye barley loaf left among the sellouts: ₩3,700

The Grand Prize barley loaf and the grain barley loaf, the two I most wanted to try, were both sold out. Only the rye barley loaf was left.

It was a letdown, but what can you do? I'd come all this way and couldn't leave empty-handed, so I picked up two of the rye barley loaves, which are said to be good for gut health. Barley has more dietary fiber than rice, so it's filling and good for people who care about their gut. Plus these are handmade loaves baked with barley, so they're a healthy way to enjoy bread, or so I told myself...

The price was really kind too. One rye barley loaf is ₩3,700. For bakery prices these days, that's super. cheap. ₩3,700, seriously?

Financiers are ₩3,000 each

The financiers (small French almond butter cakes) next to the loaves were ₩3,000 each, and with a whole loaf at ₩3,700, the value of the bread really hit me. Still, I couldn't walk past such good-looking financiers, right? Normally I'd think this price is fair, but next to the loaves it suddenly felt expensive, so I picked only 3. Then I got one more for a receipt review and praised myself for spending reasonably.

Is the cream at the Chamsae Bori tasting counter worth buying?

The shop has a tasting counter with a generous topping of cream, and my child fell for it, so I ended up buying one too. After one bite my kid loved it so much that they kept going back to the tasting counter. Honestly the cream is really good, so if you go, definitely take some home.

Rye barley loaf on a bench at the National Museum of Korea

I sat on a bench at the National Museum of Korea and dipped the rye barley loaf from Chamsae Bori generously into the cream, and it was really good. Moist yet chewy, with a nutty barley flavor that builds as you chew, and it went so well with the sweet cream.

The rye barley loaf has walnuts, cranberries and rye in it, so the texture is great. It's not sharp or heavy at all; it's plain and mild, and the nutty taste lingers the more you chew.

Next time I'll go at opening time

Most loaves at Chamsae Bori Bucheon main branch are sold out by 11am, so if you want the Grand Prize barley or grain barley loaf, go at opening time. I was a little sad not to taste every loaf, but if I get the chance I'll come back at opening, because I really want to try the Grand Prize barley loaf and the grain barley loaf. You can tell how famous it is as a Bucheon bread spot, right? If you're in Bucheon, I highly recommend getting there a bit early.