Bucheon Station bakery queue, sold out by 10:40am: Chamsae Bori

This is a bakery I visited recently: Chamsae Bori Sikppang (참새보리식빵), Bucheon main branch, in Simgokbon-dong, Bucheon, a loaf bakery near Bucheon Station. I could see why people line up for it. The day after I visited my sister's place for the first time in a while, she dragged me out in the morning to a bakery with a queue before it even opened. It looked like a place that just sells sandwich loaves, but seeing so many people lined up in this hot weather made me curious, so I picked up some too. Eating it at home, it was mild, almost plain, yet I kept going back for more. It's quietly filling, so it works as a meal replacement, and I think it's also good to freeze and take out little by little.

What is Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch?

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a small loaf shop near Jayu Market by Bucheon Station. My sister, who lives nearby, only found out about it recently and pulled me along. It must be famous, because there was already a queue before opening, which I found fascinating. The exterior looks like any ordinary loaf bakery, and there are plenty of similar ones around, yet only this one had a line like this. Eating the bread at home, there was a strangely addictive quality to it, so I guess there's a reason.

Chamsae Bori Sikppang location, parking and how to get there

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is on Gyeongin-ro, the road running straight from Seoul to Incheon, specifically at the corner of the Simgok overpass crossing. There is no parking lot of its own, so driving isn't convenient. It's about an 8-minute walk from Exit 2 of Bucheon Station on Line 1, and there are lots of bus stops around, so I recommend public transport.

Chamsae Bori Sikppang opening queue: what time should you go?

The shop opens at 10am, but on this day a line had already formed from 9:30am. Reservations aren't possible and sales end as soon as the bread is gone, so to be safe I think you should arrive by 10:30 at the latest. Hot weather clearly can't stop the opening-run crowd, haha. We were told the line was there even before 9:30 the day we went, and my sister, who went off to run other errands nearby and came back, said sales ended around 10:40.

The storefront and a midsummer queue

This is what the outside of Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch looks like. It's a small building on the crossing corner, and with people lined up in front it isn't hard to find.

There's a notice like this in front of the shop. So this is the place that was on Master of Living (생활의 달인, a Korean TV show about masters of their trade)?

There's also a banner listing the 3 menu items in front of the entrance.

While I was busy taking photos, customers started coming out one by one. And they were all carrying bags absolutely full of bread? Whoa!

Queuing in this heat honestly wasn't easy, but there was a fan outside the shop, so it was a little less hot. Aaaaaaaah (that's me, roughly, soaking up the breeze).

Inside Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch

After waiting about 20 minutes, we got inside. The interior is small, so think of it as a place where you pick your bread, pay and leave.

You can see the baking area further in. They seemed to bake an enormous number of loaves every day.

Chamsae Bori Sikppang menu: Grand Prize, grain and rye barley loaves

There were 3 items on the menu that day. The Grand Prize barley loaf was on the top shelf, the grain barley loaf on the one below, and the rye barley loaf on the bottom. The shelf is long, but all the breads in the same row are the same loaf, so there's nothing to choose between. I was going to buy one of each, but the rye barley loaf is a small one, so I added another and bought 2. My sister bought 3 each of just the Grand Prize and the rye barley loaves.

Next to us, staff were packing uncut loaves. For each loaf you can choose between sliced and unsliced, so pick whichever style you like.

On the way to the register there's a tasting stand with loaf topped with fresh cream.

We tried one, and the fresh cream is so good? So I added a tub of cream too. The owner really knows how to run a business... haha.

The 3 barley loaves compared

I brought the bread bought at Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch straight home. The haul: 1 each of the Grand Prize and grain barley loaves, 2 rye barley loaves, and the fresh cream.

Grand Prize barley loaf: mild, as a basic loaf should be

First up is the Grand Prize barley loaf. I took it out onto a plate and tried one right away.

The Grand Prize barley loaf fits the description "basic type" well. It's moderately mild and nutty, and as you chew you taste a bit of sweetness too.

Grain barley loaf: the nuttiest and most densely packed

The second loaf is the grain barley loaf.

I got the grain barley loaf uncut. Actually, I prefer tearing bread apart by hand.

The grain barley loaf has a really nuuuutty flavor. Personally I love this style.

This is the inside, and the crumb is very tight, isn't it? I like the soft but packed feel and texture.

Rye barley loaf: a small loaf chewy like rice cake

The third loaf is the rye barley loaf.

The rye barley loaf is small, so it fits right onto the plate like this. Let's try this one right away too.

Of the three, the rye barley loaf feels the chewiest and most compact. The texture is slightly like tteok (rice cake), and a touch of sweetness comes through in the flavor. This one is delicious too.

This is the inside once torn open. It's fun that every loaf has a different cross-section.

Chamsae Bori Sikppang fresh cream

I liked the fresh cream from Chamsae Bori Sikppang because it's really soft and not too sweet. I'll keep the taste to myself, haha.

The coupon you get with each loaf

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch also gives you coupons when you buy. It seemed like you get 1 per loaf, whichever kind you buy. That's 4 coupons! I'll have to come again~

Is there a restroom at Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch?

There is no toilet at Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch. Factoring in the wait, visit after going to the toilet beforehand so you can hold it for about an hour.

Verdict: a moreish barley loaf near Bucheon Station

Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a Bucheon Station loaf bakery that appeared on Master of Living for its sandwich loaves. They make barley bread in three forms, and the flavor is mild yet makes you keep eating. It's quietly filling too, so I think it works as a meal replacement. There's an opening-run crowd and sales end as soon as the bread is gone, so I recommend going before 10:30 if you can. Also, my cats never go after human food, but they kept eyeing this bread. Be careful that your cat doesn't eat it, haha.

• One-line review: a Bucheon Station bakery selling loaves you keep reaching for
• Features: a Master of Living loaf bakery; opening-run queue, and sales end when stock runs out
• Transit: 8 minutes' walk from Exit 2 of Bucheon Station (Line 1); many bus stops within a 10-minute walk
• Toilet: none
• Friendliness: friendly