Yeonnam bakery jalapeno ciabatta and tasting samples: Mandong Jegwa

If you're in Hongdae's Yeonnam-dong, this is a bakery pilgrimage spot you have to hit: Mandong Jegwa. It's really famous for its moist garlic baguette, but honestly there are tons of other great breads too.

Where is Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch?

Outside Mandong Jegwa

Coming from Exit 4 of Hongik University Station toward Yeonnam-dong, keep walking and you'll spot a sign that just says "bread." That's today's destination~

Inside the Yeonnam bakery

I did the 11am opening run ^_^~ The moment the doors open, the shelves are already packed with delicious bread. With bakeries, you really have to show up at opening if you want the good stuff.

What to order at Mandong Jegwa, and how to pick it

The most famous signature item at Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam is the garlic baguette — a moist-style garlic baguette. Since it's so popular, just tell the staff at the counter and they'll wrap it up for you right there. It's so soft and moist that picking it up with tongs would wreck it.

Once you try the garlic baguette from this Yeonnam-dong bakery, you'll forget every garlic baguette you've ever had ^_^

Why the popular breads are requested at the counter

For the popular items — garlic baguette, onion bagel, basil tomato bread, cucumber baguette, and cappuccino — don't put them on a tray, just ask at the counter and they'll hand them over directly. Keep that in mind!

This Yeonnam-dong bakery is famous as a bread pilgrimage spot for good reason — the bread is delicious, and it's also one of my favorite Hongdae spots because the prices are pretty low.

The breads are bigger than at other places and packed with ingredients, so it really feels like the owner is generous haha. I love it so much.

Bread prices are really expensive these days, but even after filling a whole tray at Mandong Jegwa, the total came out lower than I expected haha.

Yeonnam-dong in Hongdae gets a lot of foreign visitors, and somehow they find their way here too — lots of foreign tourists come in. I guess good places always get discovered.

I always grab the jalapeno ciabatta when I come here. The bread is chewy and the filling inside is spicy and savory — absolutely delicious. It disappears instantly.

And of course I got one of the famouuus cucumber baguettes. The name might sound weird, but trust me, once you taste it, it's amazing. Cucumber baguette is the No. 1 recommended item at this Yeonnam-dong bakery, this Hongdae bread pilgrimage spot, Mandong Jegwa.

When you walk into Mandong Jegwa, the staff cut up samples for you like a mother bird feeding her chicks, and once you taste them, you end up buying them because they're so good. Honestly it's stressful buying bread without trying it first, right? But here they cut generous tasting portions and even ask if there's anything you're curious about, so you can try before you buy!! Full marks!

Garlic baguette, cucumber baguette, and basil tomato bread — get them. Please. The cucumber baguette has a crisp baguette shell with a slightly tangy cream, kind of like yogurt, plus plenty of crunchy cucumber inside — great texture, absolutely delicious.

The garlic baguette at this Yeonnam-dong bakery is so moist it practically vanishes the moment it hits your mouth — pure magic. Next time I'll try the cappuccino. Low prices and delicious bread make Mandong Jegwa a true Hongdae bread pilgrimage destination — honestly, everything here is good... The owner and staff are so kind too, I love it. They've probably made good money already, but I hope they make even more...!