There is an old bakery next to Tongin Market. I visited Hyoja Bakery, a place widely known for delivering bread to Cheong Wa Dae(the executive office and official residence of the Republic of Korea's head of state) for more than a decade.

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At the entrance of the white-painted bakery, the nameplate of a master of Seoul is hung proudly.

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As soon as I enter, I can smell sweet and savory bread. On weekends, people line up to buy bread, but it was very quiet because it was midday on weekdays.

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I was also able to see all the old bread and snacks that are vaguely left in my childhood memories.

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The best bread here is 'Corn Bread'. It's my first time seeing it here, so I think it's their original bread.

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There are relatively few cakes.

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Breads full enough to look like a movie set. I feel like I've already eaten enough with my eyes.

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Fermented fig bread, one of the best three. It's bread without sugar and yeast. I bought the first, second, and third best. They are corn bread, onion soboro(streusel) bread, and fermented fig bread.

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First, corn bread. It's a popular bread that sells as soon as it is made, so when I bought it, it was already the third baked for the third time today. It's hot, so they packed the envelope open. First of all, I can see the generous size for the price. It's soft and sweet on the outside, and there's a corn and onions in it. It's somehow similar to croquette and steamed bun with vegetable at the same time. I think it'll be the best if you eat it right away when it's still warm.

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Second, onion soboro bread. There is cream with chopped onions in the streusel bread that the elderly like. The onion keeps the crunchy texture and make it less greasy. It's actually not my taste, but I think the elderly would like it.

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Lastly, my favorite, fig bread. It doesn't have yeast in it, so it has a bit of a thick texture. There's plenty of figs in it, but it's too sweet. It'll be perfect to eat with strong Americano coffee.

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When you ask them to wrap it up, they put it in a bag like this. It's the kind of design that my dad had in his hand when he came home from a bakery when he's in a good mood. It was nice to see it again.

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If you visit Hyoja Bakery, make sure to try fresh and warm corn bread.

• Food ★★★☆☆

I strongly feel that their bread will suit the taste of the elderly.

• Cleanliness ★★★☆☆

Average

• Service ★★★★★

The staff is bright and cheerful.

• Ambience ★★★☆☆

A friendly neighborhood bakery. You can buy bread and eat it at Hyoja Cafe across the street.

• Accessibility ★★☆☆☆

Walk for 11 minutes from exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station on line 3.

• Open Hours: 08:00~21:30, Closed on Monday
• Recommended Menu: corn bread, onion cream cheese Soboro bread, fermented fig bread
• Price Range: from 4,500 won
• Amenities: Packaging

Address: 54 Pilun-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul