Bakery Napoleon has a long history of making fine breads in Korea. Although many of the breads cater to the Korean palate (such as green tea, rice cake, cheese, bread) they have world class skills for desserts and their croissants. I have to say that their croissants are the closest you'll get to a partisan croissant in Korea. I love a good croissant in the morning with coffee and I am disappointed with many of the franchise croissants that have a sugary glaze on a burnt top (yes, Paris Croissant and Paris Baguette that dig was made at you.) They have a coup of misses in my book such as their famous red bean paste bread that the chocolate bread which just like a hotdog bun they put red bean or chocolate pudding in. But apparently, people flock here for those stuffed breads so my opinion must not count. Their coffee is not very good either and I decided not to get brunch or pasta or salad at a bakery. With that said, their croissants, cakes and tarts are worth the journey and that ...

Le Alaska looks like a quaint little bakery over by Apgujeong's Rodeo street but it is surprisingly big. There is a porch and a large seating area in the back. They offer a wide range of baked goods, coffees, shaved ice desserts and sandwiches. Their croissants and flavored breads such as vegetable bakes and chocolate dipped croissants are excellent. Their regular loaves have excellent crunch and texture- you're not getting faux bread here. They are quite creative in their presentation and their flavoring as well. They have iced popovers, banana apple breads and even praline layered breads. Since I had something sweet to start, I went with the braided spinach bread. They rolled the bread around the vegetables so they stayed separate from the bread. Sandwiches Popovers They pride themselves on using French flour. For those looking for something more "Asian." Here is red bean stuffed bread, wrapped sausage, streudel bread and bagels. Interior Shot I ordered a Rosemary h...

After a long week of work, I woke up in hopes of a good brunch and a strong cup of coffee. Since my cupboards and refrigerator is always bare I usually go hungry or just go out. Luckily, I live near the Baker's Table. It's a cozy bakery and they make a European Style Breakfast. Today I had the Farmer's Table: 2 eggs and crisp bacon over toast with hashbrowns and tomato (9,500 won). Good and Hearty and with coffee it made my Sunday a delight. Find directions and more information here http://www.seouleats.com/restaurant-review/the-bakers-table/

Alien's Day Out  Who doesn't like homemade cookies and cakes delivered to your door? (If this applies to you, please stop reading my blog and go away). These days, I have been thinking of gifts to get friends and a big hit have been Mipa's Vegan Cakes and Cookies from Alien's Bake Shop . I have ordered twice for my vegan friends and I would happily do it for my omnivore friends as well. Everything is fresh baked, creative and delicious.

Alien's Day Out Bake Shop I was lucky enough to meet up with Mipa Lee of Alien's Day Out today at my cooking school.   She and my friend Lilian came over to discuss a bake sale that we are planning on having soon for charity. I have had Mipa's desserts before  and they were delish so I was happy to hear about her bakeshop. Since I hang out at Balwoo Gongyang Kong all the time (I think you have noticed. Nothing funny is going on. I have become good friends with many of the staff there and I go there to hang out with the monks^^), I decided to order a mix of different vegan treats so that my monk friends can try some of Mipa's fine desserts. I placed the order today for an order of Chocolate Orange Biscotti, Pumpkin Bread, Thin Mints and...I think Snickerdoodles. I am so excited and I can't wait till they are delivered. Thanks Mipa and I'll let you know what my friends think. Cheers, Dan Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http:...

Cappuccino from Chan Bros When it rains I get nostalgic for home and near my home there are places that help me fill that void. Growing up, I loved having coffee at Brew Ha Ha! coffee house in Delaware. I used to work as a barista there and I would waste gallons of milk trying to do latte art and make sweet microbubbles. I got pretty good and even got some awards (and many tips$$).  The guys over at Chan Bros Coffee does a good job with it and I would say that they make the best wet foam cappuccino in Seoul. Oh, and they can pull a good shot of espresso. Down the street from Chan Bros is Wing Bakery and they make good pretzels. I mean maybe a tad expensive at 2,400 won for one, but...meh...they are a specialty item here. The pretzels are big and they taste authentic- especially when you put some yellow mustard on it (mustard not included). Cheers, Dan Soft Pretzel from Wing Bakery Pretzel with Yellow Mustard from Wing Bakery

 Here is a random snack from Paris Baguette. They are thin, flakey bread sticks that have parmesan and shrimp flakes. They taste interesting- like Korean shrimp chips. I can't say that I was in love with them. Dan

With the increased number of foreigners in the Gyeonidan and Haebangchon (out Noksopyeong Station Exit 2) area of Seoul, even more stores are opening to cater to this demographic- especially bread. Sure there is 2 Paris Baguette, Tour le Jours, and commercial breads at the Super Markets, but what about artisan bakers? Bread from Wing Bakery in Gyeonidan Recently, Wing Bakery opened where my beloved Istanbul Kebap Shop used to be. I was happy to see that at all and I was all set to hate on them from the getgo. There was a small problem through. Their bread is good. They fresh bake everyday (starting at 10am...they should start at 6 like normal bakers!!!) and their bread is all natural with no sugar and no butter. They make proper crusty bread like Rye Champagne, Seed Brot, Ciabatta, and crusty baguettes.

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 lik...

I am a big fan of this bakery chain. You can find them in many subway stations including Hakdong Station. They bake some of the breads there. An intersting bread that I found was a black garlic roll and a raspberry wine bread I got one of the black garlic ones and a black coffee. The bread tasted like sweet garlic (yuck) and the filling tasted like sweet garlic (yuck again). I can't say that I would recommend it. Their other offerings are quite good. I really am a fan of their sandwiches. They make a decent pastrami and mozzerella cheese sandwich. Here is a Broccoli Sausage Pastry. Their Morning Toast is pretty cool as well. It looks like an Eggy in a Window.

Le Four is a baking studio that I found in Hapjeong down from exit 5. The interior looks like my grandmother's house--there are many antiques. The owner studied at Cordon Bleu. Here is his strawberry tart. Le Grand Choux Meringue Here is the brother of the chef. He helps out in the shop. To get there, go out exit 5 and make a left. Walk to the end of the street and you'll find it on your left. Oh, and the best part about this place is that they have ovens that you can use to make your own cakes. That's right. You just pay for the ingredients and they'll let you use their mixers, space, and ovens to bake your own cakes. 서올시 마포구 합정동 369-15 1층 02-326-6218 http://cafe.naver.com/lefour