Bucheon bakery for chewy barley bread and milk cream: Chamsae Bori Sikppang

My husband has been having frequent stomach discomfort lately, so we visited Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch (참새보리식빵 부천본점) while looking for bread we could eat together. I was curious about the texture of its chewy barley bread, and also chose the grain barley bread and milk cream.

What was the wait like after opening?

Before visiting, I learned that it had been introduced as the grand-prize winner on SBS's Master of Life and as Korea's No. 1 bread. I had also heard there could be a wait, so I arrived a little after opening time.

That day, I went in without waiting. However, bread was already missing from several parts of the shelves. I could buy everything I wanted to try, but I felt that visiting later could mean fewer breads to choose from.

What did I buy, and how much did it cost?

Here is what I bought and the prices at the time of my visit.

• Daesang barley bread: ₩6,000
• Grain barley bread: ₩6,500
• Rye barley bread: ₩3,700
• Mascarpone milk cream: ₩3,700

There was also a tasting corner directly in front of the counter. I chose my items without trying samples, but after eating them at home, I was glad I had bought the milk cream as well.

What was the texture of the chewy barley bread?

I tried it as soon as I got home, and it was chewy without being dry. The inside was moist and soft, with a nutty flavor that came through more as I chewed.

I sometimes feel heavy or bloated after eating other breads, but I barely felt that way this time. My husband and I were pleased with that, though how it feels after eating can vary from person to person.

I also came across information saying it is made through 72-hour low-temperature fermentation, without preservatives or additives. Still, what I noticed while eating it was my personal experience that day.

Which did we prefer: grain barley bread or milk cream?

I also chose the grain barley bread, which uses grains and barley. I tend to pay attention to ingredients when choosing bread, so this item caught my eye.

My husband preferred the grain barley bread. He said the ingredients dotted throughout the bread felt like nuts, and that the enjoyable chew made it taste even better.

My favorite combination was spreading mascarpone milk cream on the chewy barley bread. The sweet, soft cream went well with the chewy bread. Next time, I would like to choose the bread and milk cream together again.

When should you visit for the bread you want?

The opening time listed in the original post is 10 a.m. It may close early once all the bread prepared for the day has sold out.

I heard that 10 a.m. is when the selection of bread is largest. I avoided the wait by arriving a little late, but some shelves were empty, so I recommend going earlier in the morning if you have a particular bread in mind. According to the original post, it is regularly closed on Mondays and Thursdays.

How do you get there from Bucheon Station?

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is on the first floor at 183-1 Gyeongin-ro, Sosa-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do. From Exit 2 of Bucheon Station, turn right and walk about 600 m toward Incheon.