Gojan-dong bakery café in Ansan: rucola cream cheese baguette, Degree

Degree Gojan Branch: my number one bakery in Gojan-dong, Ansan

Degree is a bakery-café in Ansan that I genuinely, truly love — every single time I'm in the area, I stop by. Located in Gojan-dong, it's got the full trifecta: great bread, great coffee, and a stylish atmosphere. When it first opened, there was nothing like this vibe in Ansan. Minimal yet sleek! Of course you can feel the years on it now… but anyway, bread-loving folks near Ansan, listen up!

Where is Degree Gojan? Entrance and display case, next to Domino's Pizza

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Degree is... a Domino's Pizza. Haha, that's literally the shop next door. The Degree standing sign is vintage-looking, almost rusted metal. The posters stuck on the entrance glass already make me drool. Cool watermelon juice and a fancy chocolate baguette, tempting me already!

Open the door and step inside... this is heaven. The display case is lined with rows of delicious-looking bread, which makes decision-making basically impossible. I went at 3pm today, and they were still baking away!

The glorious three breads chosen today after much deliberation

When you order, they cut it up nicely for you like this.

What is the pain au hazelnut chocolat like?

A long, fancy name for a fancy pastry. Layers upon layers of pastry sheets. This place is a pastry heaven! One bite and you get that satisfying crunch. I thought it'd be packed with sweet, slightly bitter hazelnut chocolate filling, but it's more subtly present. The definition of crisp outside, soft inside! The texture of the pastry dough is honestly a work of art.

Olive tomato focaccia at Degree Gojan

Next up, olive tomato focaccia, which could easily pass as a brunch dish.

Fluffy, soft focaccia bread studded with cherry tomatoes and black olives. Cheese sprinkled on top doubles the savoriness! The tomatoes' freshness, the olives' saltiness, and the cheese's richness come together in a flavor you never get tired of. Good as a meal substitute, or when just ordering coffee feels like it's not quite enough!

Rucola cream cheese baguette, ₩9,000

Last but not least, one of my wife's favorite menu items: the rucola cream cheese baguette.

Rucola (arugula) tucked between a baguette that's crisp outside and chewy inside! Cream cheese and roasted cherry tomatoes make a flawless combo. The peppery rucola with soft, rich cream cheese — total love. Every bite feels like it's making me healthier somehow. It's tasty, so the price is a bit higher — ₩9,000!

Best drinks to pair: watermelon juice and decaf Americano

Delicious bread needs a great drink to go with it. What did I pick at Degree today? Watermelon juice, to hold onto summer before it's fully gone! Degree's watermelon juice doesn't taste like artificial syrup — it's cool and sweet, like real watermelon blended fresh.

It's so cold it might give you a brain freeze, so sip slowly! Once this year is over, I might have to wait until next year for it again...

The best pairing to cleanse your palate alongside bread is still iced Americano... but in the afternoon, if caffeine feels like too much, go decaf. Degree's Americano has a nutty, clean taste that seems to go well with any bread! It clears your palate without overpowering the bread's own flavor, so coffee is basically a given order for me.

Is Degree Gojan worth a second visit?

Delicious bread and drinks, plus a comfortable atmosphere. If you're ever in Gojan-dong, Ansan, I highly recommend stopping by. I'll be back again on my next trip to Ansan too.

Bonus bread photos for fellow bread lovers