Food
My true love gave to me treats from a patisserie
In the past, Koreans considered bread as just a snack. However, with changing tastes and lifestyles, bread is now a staple of the Korean diet. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, bread consumption per person per year has increased from 6.6 kilograms in 2012 to 7.8 kilograms in 2018.
This increase underscores the efforts of local bakeries and patisseries, many of which offer nourishing loaves and tasty treats that combine foreign techniques with local ingredients. This synergy has resulted in delicacies like French baguettes smeared with salted pollack roe and English scones filled with sweet red bean paste and slices of butter.
Thankfully, Busan has a number of well-known bakeries that can satisfy the carbohydrate cravings of bread lovers.
The team at Chilamsagye produces a large volume and wide variety of baked goods to keep up with the throngs of customers who make the trip to the bakery and cafe in Gijang.
▣ Chilamsagye
While Chilamsagye is housed in a massive space, this bakery and cafe attracts so many people that sitting at one of their tables feels downright cozy. Crowds flock to this place for its tasty beverages, wide selection of baked goods, and stunning ocean views. The bakery is famous for its pillowy bagels, flavorful salt bread, and cakes and tarts so pretty that you'll hesitate to take a bite.
。Address: 7-10 Chilam 1-gil, Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun
。Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed on public holidays.
。Instagram: @chilamsagye
Get to QG early, as their breads sell out fast.
▣ QG
QG, which stands for Quartier General, is an artisan boulangerie, patisserie and cafe run by a French baker. The shop uses the finest French flour and butter to make over 20 different baked goods, including baguettes and croissants. The shop recently moved and is now located near exit 7 of City Hall Station, metro line 1.
。Address: 34 Jungang-daero 1043beon-gil, Yeonsan-dong, Yeonje-gu
。Hours: Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekend.
。Instagram: @qg_quartiergeneral
▣ Dessert Cinema
Dessert Cinema offers an array of French pastries such as croissants and pain au chocolate. Each pastry has the signature layered look of properly laminated dough, guaranteeing a crispy, buttery bite. All items are limited, so get there early.
。Address: 32-1 Ssangmicheon-ro, Yeonje-gu
。Hours: Opens at noon until everything is sold out.
。Operating Days: Saturday and Sunday, the second and third Wednesday of every month.
。Instagram: @dessert_cinema
▣ Borison Patisserie Main Branch
In pursuit of making delicious and healthy bread, this bakery is popular for its collection of European-style loaves, each made with natural sourdough starters. Make sure to try the "pain de campagne," or French country bread.
。Address: 1667 Jungang-daero, Geumjeong-gu
。Hours: Open 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed on public holidays
。Instagram: @borison_official
Hongokdang's red bean buns are fluffy and sweet.
▣ Hongokdang
This small shop is located on a side street across from Gwangalli Beach. It is a specialty store that uses only domestic red beans for its creations. It is famous for its red bean shaved ice, red bean porridge, and red bean buns, which cause long lines of people waiting to get their hands on some.
。Address: 49 Namcheondong-ro 108beon-gil, Suyeong-gu
。Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
。Instagram: @hongokdang