My Favorite Bakery in Seoul: Retro Oven
Hidden in the back alleys of Gangnam is an amazing bakery serving up rustic loaves, desserts, and fine sandwiches. The chef Pack Cheol-woo spent years studying baking in Germany before returning to Seoul to open up his own shop.
At first his shop was not popular because he served up authentic, hearty German loaves. The problem is that Koreans like bread that is softer and lighter. His best seller is a light, airy cibatta bread. It seems like the average Korean palate prefers a fluffy, processed white bread. I know that's not everybody, but I've found that many Koreans like this type of bread because it is similar to snow-white rice cake (Baekseolgi, 백설기). Anyway, he said after he changed his bread to a softer, whiter loaf- his business took off. Oh, and he would also give strawberry jam and butter as service. 
He is a skilled baker and his chocolate bread made me break my diet. I ate two of them and I loved it. The way he layers butter in the dough makes this bread bake up like air spun caramel. It's blissful.
Oh, the Laugen croissants are quite nice as well. They are also very light and the rock salt makes it taste like the lightest pretzel ever. I could eat 12 of these if they were available.
Here is a close up of the chocolate bread. Yum.
Mr. Pack is very generous and he puts out a nice spread of samples to taste all the time. The chocolate bread is to the left, the middle is the olive, and there is a nice brioche on the right.
If you look closely, Mr. Pack will bake up the loaves by time. For example, if you want big pretzels. they will be ready at 12pm. If you want a fresh loaf of bread, they are ready at 1:30 and 5pm.Retro Oven
Open from 12pm-7pm
Closed on Sunday, Holidays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday
서울특별시 강남구 논현2동 272-18 길화빌딩 102호
02-544-9054
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