Ilsan KINTEX bakery: drop-proof salt bread sandwiches, Boulangerie Tan

What is Boulangerie Tan at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX like?

Boulangerie Tan, Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is the branch that Boulangerie Tan, already a hot pilgrimage site for bread lovers in Unjeong's Chorongkkot Village in Paju, opened on B1 of the Hyundai Department Store KINTEX in Ilsan. I went shopping at the department store not long ago and found a shop I was really happy to see!

I remembered enjoying a baguette from the flagship so much, so when I spotted the sign from far away, my heart started pounding. As someone who loves bread, how could I just walk past?

Boulangerie Tan KINTEX opening hours

• Address: B1, Hyundai Department Store KINTEX, 2602 Daehwa-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi
• Mon–Thu: 10:30–20:00
• Fri–Sun: 10:30–20:30

How does parking work at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX?

Parking at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is free for the first 30 minutes, and the free time grows with how much you spend. Parking is the thing that worries you most when visiting a department store, right? So here is a quick summary for anyone who needs it.

• Basic fee: first 30 minutes free (after 30 minutes, ₩3,000 base fee + ₩1,000 per additional 10 minutes)
• ₩10,000 or more purchase: 1 hour
• ₩30,000 or more purchase: 2 hours
• ₩50,000 or more purchase: 3 hours
• ₩100,000 or more purchase: 4 hours
• Culture center customers: 3 hours per class (up to 6 hours with 2 classes)

That day I parked comfortably on B2 and took the escalator straight up to B1!

What are the atmosphere and menu like at the KINTEX branch?

The KINTEX branch is smaller than the flagship, but it gathers a selection of the flagship's main and signature items. I found Boulangerie Tan among the restaurants on B1!

Eek, the exterior alone gave off such a clean, stylish mood.

The space is a bit smaller than the flagship, but seeing the breads lined up under soft lighting in the clean, clear showcase was a feast for the eyes first.

Because the space is compact, there are definitely fewer kinds overall than at the flagship. But looking closely, it felt more like they had gathered only the best of the best?

It seemed they had picked out just the flagship's main items and popular signatures, which made choosing much easier.

The sandwich bread is salt bread?

The sandwiches at the KINTEX branch use salt bread (a buttery, salty roll) as the base. What caught my eye most was the type of sandwich bread. Usually it's baguette or ciabatta, but Boulangerie Tan unusually uses salt bread as the sandwich base!

Something delicious plus something delicious? I was convinced it couldn't possibly taste bad, so I ordered right away.

Did the bread survive when I dropped the bag?

Boulangerie Tan KINTEX packs its bread in firm, clear individual cases, so even though I dropped the bag on the floor, the bread was almost exactly as it was. There was a table area in front of the shop where you could sit and eat for a moment, but

I chose takeout so I could enjoy a home café.

I got a buzzer and waited excitedly, and soon they handed me the carefully packed bag of bread. These are the guys I brought home today!

• Carrot râpée chicken salt bread
• Jambon fromage salt bread
• Chocolate baguette

But then...

I was swinging the bag in both hands, strolling along happily, when disaster struck. The bag slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor with a thud!

Ahh... my precious bread, what now? T_T Holding back tears, I quickly picked it up and went home feeling sad. After finishing my morning errands, I opened the bag on the dining table, full of worry.

Huh?! Tears of joy blurred my eyes. Each bread was carefully placed in its own firm, clear case so it wouldn't get squashed!

There was only a little jostling, and they were preserved in their original pretty, plump shape.

The packaging is meticulous and sturdy, so I thought it would be perfect to grab on a nice day for a picnic. I cheerfully opened the cases and started tasting!

How does the carrot râpée chicken salt bread taste?

Boulangerie Tan's carrot râpée chicken salt bread has that nutty, salty butter flavor typical of salt bread rising up, while the crunchy, sweet-and-sour

carrot râpée and the tangy whole grain mustard sauce fill your mouth. Add the mild, tender chicken breast and cheese, and the combination was just art.

It was packed full enough to work as a hearty meal.

How does the jambon fromage salt bread differ from a baguette jambon-beurre?

Next up was the jambon fromage salt bread! Thinly sliced, salty premium ham, rich cheese and whole grain sauce meeting the bread made the savory flavor burst.

Maybe because it has a salt bread base rather than a regular baguette jambon-beurre, the outside is feather-light and the inside is chewy, with the saltiness coming through even better. I couldn't stop. It's quality that makes me admit it's a KINTEX bakery you must stop by when you come to Ilsan.

What was the chocolate baguette like?

The chocolate baguette from Boulangerie Tan that I tried as my final dessert was a true surprise. Wow, this totally hit my taste!

Bittersweet chocolate bits are generously studded through every layer of the baguette, and with nutty bits in between, the texture was incredible.

I was stuffed from the sandwich, yet my hand kept reaching for it. It was magical. Plain baguette meeting sweet chocolate is always right.

Is Boulangerie Tan KINTEX worth a visit?

If you're shopping at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX in Ilsan or passing nearby, definitely visit Boulangerie Tan on B1!

It's a great KINTEX bakery that carries over the charm of the flagship. You can enjoy the flavors of special salt bread sandwiches and baguettes that make your mouth happy.

I'm definitely going back on my next department store trip to stock up on other kinds too!