As a current freshman planning to move onto campus for the first time, I can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia pass through my mind. Going to college means more freedom and independence, but at the price of some other comforts I've lived with up until now- one of them being accessibility to the local Korean bakeries I've cherished since my childhood. This means no more bulk-buying my favorite sweet red bean buns or cream cheese pastries! As a self-proclaimed carb-lover, this dreary reality is something I want to avoid facing until the last possible moment. Here are some of my favorite Korean bakery pastries that I'll be sure to indulge in before I move onto campus:
1. Sweet Red Bean Buns
Sweet Red Bean Buns, commonly known as "anpan" in Japanese and "dan-pat bbang" in Korean, is by far one of my favorite pastries to date. With a sweetened red bean paste filling surrounded with a soft, chewy exterior topped with the cutest black sesame seeds on top, what's not to like about this bread? This pastry is a simple, yet utterly delicious choice for an on-the-go breakfast or after-school snack that will forever remain in my heart.
2. Cream Cheese Pastry
Cream cheese bread, or "cream cheese bbang" is one of the most beloved discoveries I've made growing up. Although this bread can vary in appearance and taste from bakery to bakery, its layout is basically the same: a fluffy, chewy exterior filled with slightly sweetened cream cheese in the inside, often topped with some powdered sugar on top. Although it doesn't sound like a lot, I can bet you it's definitely enough to make you want to buy this pastry in bulk.
3. Choux Cream Bread
Of course, when it comes to another classic pastry, it's impossible to leave out one of the OG's- choux cream bread! This pastry has the same exterior appearance and texture as the sweet bean paste bread but is instead filled with a custard-like filling. Despite overflowing with a generous amount of golden custard inside, it isn't too sweet nor is it too bland to taste. It therefore makes a perfect choice for newbies to Korean pastries for its classic, not too overwhelming nature.
4. Roll Cake
Who says you can't eat cake for breakfast? (Hopefully, no one- like ever). Roll cake is basically the same as a layered cake, just in a rolled-up form. However, unlike the regular layered cake, the whipped cream filling in Korean roll cakes are usually a little less sweet than classic buttercream, making the actual star of the show the cake or the toppings themselves. Much like the cream cheese pastry, roll cakes come in a variety of shapes, flavors, and sizes, from the plain (but still amazing) Swiss roll cake to the trendy matcha roll cake. Nevertheless, no matter what variation of roll cake I find at local Korean bakeries, they never fail to satisfy my tastebuds!
5. Bungeo-bbang or Taiyaki
Bungeo-bbang (fish-shaped pastry) or more commonly known as taiyaki in Japanese, is one of the most popular Korean street foods during the colder months. Although these are commonly sold on the streets in South Korea, it's often more difficult to find this delicacy in the US. Best served fresh off the griddle, its crispy, buttery exterior and warm, gooey filling are sure to bring a smile to your face. The interesting part is, the warm filling, although traditionally the same sweet red bean paste filling from the sweet red bean bread, can also be switched out for Korean sweet potato paste, cheese, or even pizza-flavored filling. Talk about being dynamic!
All in all, these are only a few of the countless Korean pastries I'll definitely be daydreaming about while at college. Each one brings a different, homey memory to my mind that provides me plenty of comfort during hard times. Hopefully, this list and the beautiful photos of the pastries scattered throughout this article inspire you to try them during your next trip to a Korean bakery!