18 Feb 2010, Posted by Matt in Food & Drink,Seoul,Video, 16 Comments

Seoul’s Best Bakeries

In my experience, Korea’s food culture eagerly samples what other traditions have to offer, adjusts it to fit the Korean palate, and then incorporates the foreign import. Case in point is the traditional bakery.

Historically, bread hasn’t figured prominently into the Korean diet, and most Korean homes lack a conventional oven. And yet, the neighborhood bakery has become as ubiquitous in Seoul as another import: the gourmet coffee chain. Of course, these bakeries have taken a Korean twist on Western baking traditions. For example, red bean and sweet potato is more likely to fill your dough ball than a miscellaneous berry compote. Overall, I’d say that Korean pastries err on the side of subtle sweetness rather than fructose overload.

Brown Bread, in Seoul’s Edae neighborhood, specializes in white and rye bread loaves.

Many of Seoul’s bakeries have French words in their name. But beyond the tall white baking hats and aprons, traditions like warm, fresh bread early in the morning haven’t arrived.

Brown Bread (브라운브레드)
Seodaemun-gu, Daehyeon-dong 27-46
070-8658-1236
Open: 12:00-19:00 (Closed Sundays)

Around the corner from Brown Bread’s attractive storefront is the Sinchon Train Station.

Case in point is Brown Bread (브라운브레드), a tiny bakery that just opened in western Seoul’s Edae neighborhood. If you’re hoping to sample one of their best-selling white baguettes, don’t plan on it for breakfast. The attractive storefront doesn’t open its doors until noon. The charming, two-man operation started after they studied baking abroad. Today they specialize in loaves of white and rye baguettes, campagnes and ciabattas. They also make “bretzels,” a crisp pretzel-baguette hybrid. No matter your choice, all go perfectly with a house-made honey-butter glaze.

Abientot Bakery (아비앙또 베이커리)
Mapo-gu, Daeheung-dong 265-1
02-713-6174
Open 06:00-24:00

Abientot Bakery’s fantastic cakes always look delicious.

Another favorite bakery is Abientot Bakery (아비앙또 베이커리), an unpretentious mainstay of the Daeheung-dong neighborhood for the past 30 years. From the French term meaning, “see you soon”, the bakery opens at 6:00 am and stays open until midnight, and the smell of baking bread is how I found the small store over a year ago. Inside the cheerful spot, an impressive selection of creative tartes, cookies, fritters, loaves of bread and even beautiful cakes and handmade jams are on offer.

Although it’s a small store, for 30 years Abientot has offered its loyal customers a wide selection of baked goods.

Unlike the big franchise bakeries, Abientot can’t invest in expensive marketing efforts. Instead, they rely on “jeong”, a uniquely Korean word meaning deep affection. Instead of discount cards, they thank customers by dropping generous extras into the bag. I’ve always found myself exiting with a smile, a hint as to why they keep flourishing even after a big chain bakery moved in next door.

La Bonne Tarte (라본느타르트)
Seodaemun-gu, Daeshin-dong 90-1, Gukjae Building, 1st Floor
02-393-1117
10:00-21:00 (Closed Sundays)

Picture perfect tartes are the specialty of La Bonne Tarte, located near the Yonsei University east gate (Photo provided by La Bonne Tarte).

Our final stop is another spin on the French baking theme. As the name suggests, La Bonne Tarte (라본느타르트), an immaculate bakery and café located in the Daesin-dong neighborhood near Yonsei University’s east gate, specializes in tarts. From macadamia nut and fig tartes to other seasonally-appropriate confections, it’s hard to decide what to order. But no matter your choice, the bakery uses only organic and trans-fats-free ingredients. La Bonne Tarte also serves a wide variety of coffees and teas. Especially delicious is their ginger tea, complete with ample slices of raw ginger and sweetened with local honey.

Combine your tarte purchase with one of La Bonne Tarte’s many excellent tea and coffee options (Photo provided by La Bonne Tarte).

Although it’s located in a new building, La Bonne Tarte’s classic furniture, brown tile and booth seating offer an old charm. For the perfect gift, choose their selection of tartes – packaged individually or as eight mixed slices in a striped box topped with a bow.

So there you go – three of Seoul’s best bakeries sure to impress even the most fickle connoisseur. But what I’m wondering about is what Koreans think of the American chain Dunkin’ Donuts’ kimchi-flavored croquette that was introduced last year… I guess it’s a question for another show.

Getting There:
→ La Bonne Tarte and Brown Bread can be reached via Seoul Metro’s Sinchon Station (Gyeonghui Line) or Edae Station (Line 2, Exit #2).

→ A Bientot can be reached via Daeheung Station (Line 6, Exit #3).

(A version of this text aired on KBS World Radio on February 10, 2010.)