Bucheon Station bakery, weekday line and jam barley loaf: Chamsae Bori

I had an errand and went back to Bucheon for the first time in a while. Every time I go to Bucheon, there's one place I end up thinking about: Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch (참새보리식빵 부천본점). It was popular before, but this time it felt even more popular. It's the kind of place where you find yourself joining the line without meaning to, so today I'm writing about this famous Bucheon bread spot.

Where is Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch, and when does it open?

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a barley bread specialist about a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Bucheon Station. It opens at 10 a.m., and apparently the most bread comes out right after opening. It's so popular, though, that if you arrive late, the loaf you want may be sold out.

Is there a line on weekdays too?

The first thing I noticed when I got there was the long line. Even on a weekday it stretched out, and I thought, okay, there's a reason people call this a top Bucheon bread spot. I was curious why so many people were waiting, which made me look forward to it even more.

When my turn came, I went in with a basket, haha. There are no number tickets, but it runs in a pretty orderly way.

What is Chamsae Bori bread made from?

The bread is said to use 100% Korean-grown barley and go through 72 hours of slow, low-temperature fermentation. It's also said to be made with eco-friendly barley, New Zealand grass-fed butter, high-calcium milk, fresh eggs and natural sourdough starter, for a healthier loaf.

In particular, it's said to use no chemical additives, preservatives or margarine, so it's popular with people looking for a healthy bread to replace a meal. Maybe because of the low-temperature aging, the crumb is really soft and the nutty flavor of barley comes through.

The sample corner by the register

There was a sample corner in front of the register, and oh, the mascarpone cream was seriously delicious, T_T I held back because I was afraid of gaining weight..

What does the Grand Prize sticky barley loaf taste like?

The first loaf I grabbed that day was the Grand Prize sticky barley loaf (대상찰보리 식빵). It's a famous item said to have been highly praised by a master baker, so I was curious, and after one bite I understood why it's so popular.

The texture is very soft and moist, and it's less sweet than I expected. The plain, mild flavor is its charm, and it was good enough to eat as is. Personally, I was happiest when I spread strawberry jam on it. The sweetness of the jam and the mildness of the bread went well together, and I kept reaching for more.

It also brought out more flavor with butter, and it paired well with peanut butter too. It's a solid, well-made loaf, so any combination tasted good.

Worried about blood sugar? Try the grain sticky barley loaf

The other loaf I bought was the grain sticky barley loaf (곡물찰보리 식빵). I'd recommend it to people who normally feel uneasy about eating bread because of blood sugar.

The grain sticky barley loaf has 18 kinds of grains and roasted walnuts in it, and the crunchy texture with every bite is really appealing. It has a nuttiness and richness of texture you can't get from regular sandwich bread.

It's nutty enough to eat plain, but butter makes the flavor even better, and strawberry jam or peanut butter gives it a different taste. If you like nutty grain flavors, I think you'll be very happy with it.

Is Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch worth the wait?

Visiting after a long time, I could see why Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch still draws so many people. Seeing customers keep pouring in despite the long wait, the description of it as a signature Bucheon bakery felt real.

The healthy barley bread made with 72-hour low-temperature fermentation, the mild flavor you can enjoy without feeling weighed down, and the variety of loaves all satisfied me. If you're looking for good bread in Bucheon, I recommend stopping by at least once. The Grand Prize sticky barley loaf and the grain sticky barley loaf in particular were good enough that I'd buy them again.

If you're looking for a great bread spot in Bucheon, Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is definitely worth a visit.