Korea’s Most Famous Bakeries: Where to Go for Your Bread Pilgrimage 

In Korea, bread isn’t just food; it can be a destination. Across the country, bakeries with cult followings have turned humble loaves into star attractions.

From heritage shops baking red-bean buns since the 1940s to minimalist cafés that sell out of salt bread before noon, locals and tourists alike are setting out on what’s now dubbed a “bread pilgrimage”. 

This guide will take you to the best bakeries in Korea worth travelling for, and help you plan your own one-day tasting route.

Also read: Where to Eat the Best Korean Street Food: Seoul’s Famous Food Alleys

What is the bread pilgrimage trend?

Known in Korean as bbang-jisunrae (빵지순례), this trend has seen fans journey across cities, or even across the country, to visit bakeries famous for one particular item. 

These bakeries often go viral on Korean social media, with some places seeing daily sell-outs before lunchtime.

Famous bakeries in Korea

Seongsimdang, Daejeon

Arguably the birthplace of Korea’s bread pilgrimage culture, Seongsimdang in Daejeon is nothing short of a national treasure. Established in 1956, this bakery is most famous for its fried soboro bread, a sweet, crumb-topped bun with a satisfyingly crispy texture. 

You’ll also find chive buns, baguettes, and pastries, but the soboro remains the icon. Even locals take pride in gifting Seongsimdang bread, and its flagship branch near Jungangno Station sees a constant stream of loyal fans and curious newcomers.

Leesungdang: Gunsan

Located in the historic city of Gunsan, Leesungdang is Korea’s oldest bakery, first opened in 1945. Its signature danpatppang, fluffy white buns filled with sweet red-bean paste, are still baked fresh daily using the original method. 

Equally beloved are the yachaeppang, vegetable breads, filled with a nostalgic blend of cabbage, carrots and light seasoning. The bakery’s vintage interior and unwavering popularity give visitors the sense that they’re stepping into a cherished piece of culinary history.

Hwangnam Bread: Gyeongju

Hwangnam-ppang is more than a bread, it’s a symbol of Gyeongju’s identity. This small, chrysanthemum-stamped pastry is almost entirely filled with red-bean paste, and its soft, thin dough makes it a delicate bite. 

Originating from a family recipe in the 1930s, this treat became so beloved that it’s now replicated across Korea, though the original bakeries in Gyeongju remain the ultimate destination for purists.

Jayeondo Sogeumppang: Ikseon-dong, Seoul

This bakery has helped put sogeumppang (salt bread) on Korea’s culinary map. Nestled in the narrow hanok-lined alleys of Ikseon-dong, Jayeondo serves up deeply golden, butter-rich rolls finished with a light dusting of sea salt. 

There’s often a queue outside, but the bread is worth the wait. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and served still warm. With just a few flavours and a pared-back interior, it lets the bread do all the talking.

Morinopan: Yeonnam-dong, Seoul

Run by a Korean baker trained in Tokyo, Morinopan is known for its expertly executed Japanese-style breads. Its most popular item is shiopan, salt-butter bread with a rich centre and delicate outer crunch. 

The shop also offers yakisoba-pan, melonpan, and red bean pastries in an intimate, minimalist space tucked into Yeonnam-dong’s café alleyways.

Soha Salt Pond: Ikseon-dong, Seoul

Soha Salt Pond offers perhaps the most creative takes on the salt bread craze. Here, the classic roll gets reinvented with fillings like gooey cheese, black olives, or truffle cream. 

You’ll also find a counter of gorgeous pastries and seasonal desserts, all housed in a bright, design-forward space that shows off Korean aesthetics. Come early, this place sells out fast.

Mil Toast House: Ikseon-dong, Seoul

Steamed bread isn’t always part of the usual bakery tour, but Mil Toast House makes it a destination in its own right. Set in a restored hanok, this charming café steams fluffy loaves in bamboo baskets, serving them with whipped butter on the side. 

Flavours range from classic white to sweet potato and corn. It’s a quiet, comforting contrast to the more buttery and flaky breads, and perfect for a leisurely morning bite.

Onion Seongsu: Seongsu-dong, Seoul

One of Seoul’s most photographed bakeries, Onion Seongsu serves up French-inspired croissants, cream-filled danishes, and their cult favourite: pandoro-style mountain bread dusted with powdered sugar. 

The industrial-style space with concrete walls and rustic tables draws in a hip crowd, but the quality of the baked goods more than lives up to the hype. It’s also a great spot to slow down mid-route and enjoy a proper coffee break.

Also read: 11 Amazing Bakeries Around the World Every Foodie Must Visit

Taegeukdang: Dongguk University, Seoul

As Seoul’s oldest bakery, Taegeukdang is steeped in nostalgia. Founded in 1946 and still family-run, it retains the charm of post-war Korea with its red-brick façade and vintage signage. 

Inside, you’ll find traditional treats like spongey castella cakes, red bean-filled pancakes (jeonbyeong), and the beloved Monaka ice cream sandwich encased in crisp wafer shells. 

London Bagel Museum: Anguk, Seoul

This wildly popular bakery café near Anguk station has taken Seoul by storm with its playful take on bagels. Don’t expect the standard variety; here, you’ll find petite bagels in flavours like potato-cheese, green onion pretzel, and dark chocolate, all artfully arranged in a space that feels part art gallery, part vintage pantry. 

Nudake: Dosan Park, Seoul

For bread with a bold, experimental edge, Nudake is unlike any other bakery in Korea. Created by the fashion-forward eyewear brand Gentle Monster, Nudake’s space is sleek and surreal, with pastries to match. 

Their bestsellers include squid ink croissants filled with matcha cream, black cheddar cakes, and fog-inspired tarts that resemble abstract sculptures. This spot is a must-visit for adventurous eaters and design lovers.

Also read: Best Things to Do in Seoul at Night: Late-Night Eats and Views

Plan your own bread pilgrimage: 1-day routes

“A bit of everything”: A route that maximises variety

Mil Toast House > Jayeondo Sogeumppang > Taegeukdang > Onion Seongsu

1. Start with something soft and soothing: warm, steamed bread served in bamboo baskets inside a peaceful hanok at Mil Toast House, located near Jongno 3-ga (Exit 4)
2. Then, walk 3 minutes in the same alleyway to arrive at Jayeondo Sogeumppang, and try something crisp and buttery instead. 
3. Take the subway to Dongguk Univ. Station and exit via exit 2 to reach Taegeukdang after a short walk. Here, you can try soft castella cake or Monaka ice cream sandwich with sweet red bean filling, still made the old-school way.
4. Finally, take the subway to Seongsu to visit Onion Seongsu, near Seongsu Station (Exit 2), and try their iconic sugar-dusted mountain bread and crisp croissants.

“Food for the eyes”: A route through the most aesthetic bakeries

Onion Seongsu > Nudake > London Bagel Museum > Ugly Puppy

1. Kick things off in Onion Seongsu near Seongsu Station (Exit 2). The cafe is set in a beautifully weathered warehouse with soaring ceilings and concrete textures softened by natural light.
2. Then step into a surreal world of design-driven pastries in Nudake, just a short subway ride and walk away near Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Exit 5). Created by the designers behind Gentle Monster, this café feels like walking into a contemporary art gallery.
3. End at the viral London Bagel Museum that looks like a curated museum shop, located near Anguk Station (Exit 1). Styled like a charming, old-world deli with curated interiors and handwritten tags, it’s no surprise this place went viral.

Also read: What to Eat in Tokyo: 10 Must-Try Foods and Where to Find Them

Get bready

Korea’s bakery scene is nothing short of a bread-lover’s dream, and whether you’re a fan of traditional breads or flaky croissants with a twist, there’s a bakery waiting for you. Just don’t forget to come early: the best loaves tend to disappear before lunch.