Bucheon bakery squeeze test on 70-hour fermented loaves: Chamsae Bori

Why people line up at opening for Chamsae Bori Sikppang in Bucheon

Chamsae Bori Sikppang (참새보리식빵), Bucheon main branch is a bread shop specializing in loaves, located at 183-1 Gyeongin-ro, 1st floor, Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. It's already known as a top loaf spot in Bucheon that regularly sells out early, so I finally made the trip today.

This place has gotten even more popular after winning the 'Grand Prize' on SBS's Human Documentary of Life Masters and being named the No. 1 loaf bakery in the country. Not just neighborhood locals — people come from far away too!!

Hours 10:00–20:00 / Closed Mondays and Thursdays

The inside of the shop was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. That soft, savory, feel-good smell made me smile without even trying. On one side, just-baked loaves sat waiting, and on the other, staff were busy packing orders.

Only three barley loaves left on the shelf that day

That day at Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch, the choices were grain chalbori (곡물찰보리) at ₩6,500, daesang chalbori (대상찰보리) at ₩6,000, and mini rye chalbori (호밀찰보리) at ₩3,700. I remember there being quite a few more varieties on my last visit.

This time there were only three: Grain chalbori — ₩6,500 Daesang chalbori — ₩6,000 Mini rye chalbori — ₩3,700

Don't dismiss it just because the lineup is small. All the care and know-how of this bakery is packed into these three loaves.

To say it upfront: they're all delicious. If you like whole grains, go for the grain chalbori or the rye chalbori; if you prefer something plainer, pick the daesang chalbori. They're all made with barley, so they're easy to digest and comfortable to eat.

Tasting the financier and mascarpone milk cream

Chamsae Bori Sikppang doesn't just sell loaves — they also sell financiers. Made with 100% dairy cream, they had a nutty, deeply flavorful taste that felt like solid basics done right. Given the quality and portion, they're reasonably priced, so I'd recommend picking some up alongside the bread.

They also sell strawberry jam and mascarpone milk cream (homemade, apparently!). Both pair really well with the bread.

You can even sample the mascarpone milk cream, so definitely try it! I'm still thinking about that clean, mild sweetness.

Oh, and you can trade coupons for goods too — one coupon per loaf, which felt pretty generous. (The goods themselves were cute and stylish, right on trend.)

The 70-hour fermented loaf, squeezed and eaten at home

I packed all three loaves from Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch, and brought them home. Maybe because they were fresh out of the oven, even sealed up, they still gave off a savory smell.

<Regular / Mini> Size comparison before slicing. The rye chalbori wasn't pre-sliced, so it was great for tearing off by hand, while the regular size was evenly cut, making it easy to grab a slice at a time.

Maybe because of the 70-hour low-temperature fermentation, there was no heavy or dense aftertaste — just a natural flavor with a gentle, savory note that I really loved. Usually loaves need jam or a spread, but this Bucheon bakery's bread felt complete on its own.

And the nuts scattered throughout — what can I say. They boosted both the texture and the flavor, which was even more satisfying. Even after eating several pieces, my stomach felt completely fine afterward. It really seemed suited as a meal-replacement bread.

Look at this — squeeze it tight with your hand and it bounces right back. I expected it to be rough and dry since it's made with barley, but it was soft and springy in the best way.

If we eat this every morning as a family, it'll disappear fast. I'm keeping the coupon I got this time so I can trade for goods next visit and buy even more.

That was my visit to Chamsae Bori Sikppang, a Bucheon loaf favorite — the taste, quality, and service were all satisfying. I'll probably be back again soon!