# Ikseon-dong hanok bakery weekend queue for maple cream cheese: Munhwa

- By Sia (https://superchart.com/en/@open-chair-coffee/)
- Written Sep 6, 2026
- Local places › Cafés › Jongno, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@open-chair-coffee/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@open-chair-coffee/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/index.md)

## In short

Munhwa Bakery is a takeout-only bakery with a tiled hanok front in Ikseon-dong, Jongno, Seoul, about 200m from Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station. After a wait on a weekend at 3pm, this visit's haul was an onion bagel (6,000 won), maple cream cheese bread (4,900 won) and milk cream bread (3,500 won), and the maple cream cheese took first place ahead of the long-time favourite coffee bread. Munhwa Bakery's breads are mild and taste of their ingredients, so they suit just about everyone, young or old.

## Good to know

- **Address**: 1st floor, 65 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- **Hours**: 11:00-20:00 (the post mentions closing by 7pm; may close early)
- **Parking**: Not available
- **Location**: About 200m from Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station, toward Changdeokgung Palace
- **How entry works**: Takeout only; interior is tiny, so two groups enter at a time
- **Maple cream cheese bread**: 4,900 won
- **Onion bagel**: 6,000 won
- **Milk cream bread**: 3,500 won
- **Price reference**: ₩3,500 ≈ $2.6 (2026-09-15)

*as written by the visitor on Sep 6, 2026*

Hi everyone! It's Jinny haha. There are so many flashy, pretty bakery cafés popping up in Ikseon-dong these days. But I went back to Munhwa Bakery, my go-to bakery near Jongno 3-ga Station. I'm already on my Nth revisit, so let me share my review of this Jongno 3-ga/Ikseon-dong favorite — mild flavors, full of the ingredients' natural taste.

## Where is Munhwa Bakery, and how long is the weekend wait?

![Walking toward Munhwa Bakery near Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-01-16qox-966.webp)

Munhwa Bakery, an Ikseon-dong favorite, is located about 200m from Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station. If you walk from Exit 7 toward Changdeokgung Palace, you'll spot the pretty hanok-style (Korean traditional house) storefront.

![Munhwa Bakery in Ikseon-dong with a hanok-style storefront](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-02-1qde3-1200.webp)

It's takeout-only and the interior is quite small, so they let in two groups at a time. I visited around 3pm on a weekend, and there was already a long line waiting. Business hours go until 7pm, but they might close early, so hurry over!

## What's on the menu at Munhwa Bakery?

![Assorted breads on display at Munhwa Bakery](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-03-1xom2-966.webp)

![Display case with menu names and prices at Munhwa Bakery](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-04-w1nrz-966.webp)

![Various breads lined up on the shelves at Munhwa Bakery](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-05-1c79i-966.webp)

The menu includes injeolmi (sweet rice cake) bread, peanut, mugwort rice cake, cheese, squid ink condensed milk, milk cream, black sesame, onion bagel, sweet potato, white bean paste, walnut, maple cream cheese, rice-chestnut, rice-cheese, and their signature items — coffee bread and garlic bread.

![Bread section at Munhwa Bakery with straightforward flavor names](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-06-1plew-966.webp)

I really liked how the names are so straightforward that you know exactly what flavor you're getting just from the name. Rather than sparking curiosity with vague names, it felt comfortable being able to pick a menu item based on a flavor I already know. The store is small, but the moment you step in, a savory aroma fills the air — they seem to be baking nonstop inside.

![Checkout counter with paper bag sign at Munhwa Bakery](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-07-u3hdw-966.webp)

If you need a paper bag, just ask when you're paying and they'll pack it for you. Also, this is a shop that helps children in need — they only sell what's baked that day, and anything unsold gets donated to underprivileged groups like children skipping meals, elderly people living alone, people with disabilities living at home, free meal centers, homeless shelters, and social welfare facilities. It's already a well-known favorite in Jongno 3-ga/Ikseon-dong, but I really hope a place like this stays successful for a long time.

![Munhwa Bakery staff slicing bread into bite-sized pieces before packing](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-08-3ht26-966.webp)

As soon as you ask, they cut it into bite-sized pieces and pack it for you.

## Three breads ordered: onion bagel, maple cream cheese, milk cream

- Maple cream cheese bread (₩4,900)
- Onion bagel (₩6,000)
- Milk cream bread (₩3,500)

![Onion bagel, maple cream cheese, and milk cream bread packed to take out](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-09-747xj-966.webp)

Among the menu, I ordered the onion bagel, maple cream cheese, and milk cream. Honestly, my all-time favorite is the coffee bread, but I wanted to try other items too, so I'm working my way through the menu.

![Munhwa Bakery's onion bagel filled with cream cheese](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-10-31hxf-966.webp)

![Sliced onion bagel arranged on the plate](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-11-1ayn2-966.webp)

![Close-up of the cream cheese filling inside the onion bagel](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-12-8ucxb-966.webp)

### Onion bagel, 6,000 won: chewy crust, moist inside

This is the signature onion bagel. You can see just from looking that the dough is packed with cream cheese. The outside has that classic baguette chewiness, but the inside is surprisingly moist and soft. The cream cheese isn't heavy — it melts in smoothly, making it really soft and delicious.

![Munhwa Bakery's maple cream cheese bread shaped like hotteok](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-13-ca4ur-966.webp)

![Cross-section of the thick cream cheese inside the maple cream cheese bread](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-14-1s4i0-966.webp)

### Maple cream cheese bread, 4,900 won: top pick of this visit

Next up, maple cream cheese! From the outside it looks like hotteok (sweet Korean pancake), but when I cut it open, there's chewy dough with cream cheese inside. I expected a pretty simple flavor, but the thick, rich cream cheese wasn't overly sweet and hit just the right note. I'm definitely getting the maple cream cheese again next time haha. This time, my top pick is the maple cream cheese!

![Munhwa Bakery's milk cream bread filled with cream](https://img.superchart.com/images/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese/munhwa-bakery-ikseondong-maple-cream-cheese-15-1q0dx-966.webp)

### Milk cream bread, 3,500 won: the cheapest and the chewiest

Next is the milk cream bread. At ₩3,500, it's the cheapest, but it's really tasty. The dough is so chewy that it feels squishy in your hand lol. Inside, it's packed with cream, and it melts away smoothly with a rich, savory milk flavor without any artificial heaviness. The sweetness is subtle, not overpowering, so even people who aren't into cream-filled bread can enjoy it without feeling weighed down.

## Verdict: who should make the trip to Munhwa Bakery?

Looking for a solid, reliable bakery near Jongno 3-ga Station and Ikseon-dong? Need a thoughtful bread gift after a date or outing in Ikseon-dong? Want classic, delicious bread that even your parents would love, with flavors that appeal to everyone regardless of age? This Ikseon-dong favorite nails even the pickiest, most grown-up tastes. Highly recommend!!

## Where it is

- Munhwa Bakery (문화제빵)
- 65 Donhwamun-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로 65 1층
- 37.5742708, 126.9908703
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%AC%B8%ED%99%94%EC%A0%9C%EB%B9%B5/@37.5742708,126.9908703,17z

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