Ikseon-dong bakery with no weekend queue: rice-chestnut loaf, Munhwa

Near Ikseon-dong by Jongno 3-ga Station: Munhwa Bakery

Whenever I walked through the Ikseon-dong alleys heading from Jongno 3-ga toward Anguk Station, that retro 'bread' signboard always caught my eye. I'd always been curious, but Munhwa Bakery is the kind of place with a long line at peak times, including weekend mornings, so I never worked up the nerve.

On my way home after running errands one weekend, I happened to see there was no line, so I thought — this is my chance — and happily went in to get some to go, haha.

Munhwa Bakery: a charity bakery for children that sells only same-day bread

Munhwa Bakery only sells bread made that same day. Whatever doesn't sell is donated to underprivileged groups like children who lack meals, seniors living alone, and social welfare facilities — such a kind-hearted place.

Munhwa Bakery location, hours and queue tips

• 65 Donhwamun-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Open 11:00-20:00
• Located at the entrance of the Ikseon-dong hanok alley near Jongno 3-ga Station
• No dedicated parking
• Popular items sell out fast on weekends and at peak times, so it's best to visit during the daytime or do an opening run to avoid the queue

Inside the tiny Ikseon-dong shop that holds only 2 groups

The shop is small, with room for about 2 groups at a time. From the moment you step in, the whole place is filled with the nutty, sweet smell of freshly baked bread — pure happiness for a bread lover!

The display case is small but neatly arranged, with baked goods that make your mouth water just looking at them — I really thought this was an Ikseon-dong bakery worth pilgrimaging to. (Heart racing.)

What I ordered at Munhwa Bakery, starting with the rice-chestnut loaf

I usually love basic, plain breads and simple loaves. And when it says 'rice,' how could I not pick it? The rice-chestnut loaf looked substantial just from a glance, so I picked it first without hesitation.

Since it was my first visit, I wanted to try the most popular signature breads, so I asked a staff member. They kindly recommended three: garlic bread, coffee bread, and onion bagel.

I like bagels too, and coffee is a given. Part of me wanted to buy all three and enjoy them all weekend, but I've been eating too much flour lately, so I decided to buy just two, including the loaf! I carefully settled on the garlic bread, the one that tempted me most. They cut it for takeout so it's ready to eat right away — snip snip.

Munhwa Bakery garlic bread, 6,800 won: how it tastes

Garlic bread, 6,800 won. The moment I got home and opened the bag, a rich, sweet garlic aroma spread softly through the air.

The sweet, soft signature garlic sauce had soaked deep into the bread, chewy on the outside and melting soft inside. That sweet-savory, nutty flavor filled my mouth, and I instantly understood why this place is called one of Seoul's three great bakeries — the texture was perfect.

Rice-chestnut loaf, 5,800 won: torn by hand along the grain

Rice-chestnut loaf, 5,800 won. The bread I brought home together with the garlic bread. Wow — the weight in my hand was different from the start! I thought about cutting it with a bread knife, but this one felt like it should be torn by hand along the grain, so I gently split it in half — and the grain passed with flying colors!

The more you chew, the chewier and more delightfully plain it gets. Inside the bread torn along its grain, sweet whole chestnut pieces were packed densely, and the more I chewed, the more the nutty flavor grew — such a great choice! I really would have regretted it if I hadn't picked this one. No fuss, satisfyingly substantial, and truly perfect for a weekend lunch.

What to buy on my next visit to Munhwa Bakery

This Jongno 3-ga bakery impressed me with the loaf's heft and the rich garlic sauce flavor. It has the kind of plain taste my mom would love, so I'm planning to come back soon to try the onion bagel and coffee bread too.