Where to find Korea's Bakery World Cup-winning shops

The Korean team of bakers cheer for their victory at the award ceremony of La Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie 2026, in Paris, Friday (local time). Captured from Instagram

A team of four Korean bakers has won La Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie 2026, widely known as the Bakery World Cup, in Paris, Friday (local time).

According to the organizer, “Following two days of intense competition, South Korea ... won the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, succeeding the French team, the grand winner of the previous edition.”

The team consists of leader Kim Jong-ho, Hwang Seok-yong, Choi Yong-hwan and Kim Myung-gi.

The final round saw 10 teams competing under the theme “The Great Inventions of Your Country.” Representing Korea, the team created a piece inspired by the "geobukseon," or turtle ship, an ironclad warship built by Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 1592 during the Imjin War. The vessel is widely credited, along with Yi’s leadership, as a key factor in the victories of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910.

“The South Korean trio claimed this latest edition 10 years after their first and only previous victory,” the organizer said on its website. “This achievement highlights South Korean expertise in bakery-patisserie and their mastery of the French bakery concept.”

Although bread was not part of traditional Korean cuisine before the late 19th century, baked goods such as bread, cakes and pastries have since become deeply embedded in modern Korean food culture.

Industry observers often note that Korea has more bakeries than Starbucks stores. The trend of "ppangji sullye," or "bread pilgrimage," has also grown popular, with people visiting famous bakeries, sampling signature items and sharing photos on social media.

Created in 1992 by French baker Christian Vabret, the competition promotes artisan baking worldwide. The four Korean bakers reportedly prepared for six months, sometimes training together overnight.

The Korean team made a piece inspired by "geobukseon," an ironclad warship commissioned by Joseon-era Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 1592 specifically for the Imjin War. Captured from Instagram

Where to find winning bakers in Korea

All four team members are established bakers who run successful stores across Korea. Below are their bakeries and popular menu items. Each bakery is a regular stop for enthusiasts on Korea’s popular "bread pilgrimage" routes.

Slowbread

Located in Daejeon, Slowbread is owned by team leader Kim Jong-ho, who was also a member of Korea’s winning team in 2016. Comparable in popularity to the city’s iconic Sungsimddang bakery, Slowbread offers a wide range of products from baguettes to cakes. Apple pie and salted butter rolls are among its best-sellers.

Instagram: @daejeon_slowbread

Hanam Bakery

Located in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, this bakery is run by Choi Yong-hwan. It is best known for its salt bread and baguette filled with cream cheese.

Instagram: @hanambakery

Seongsu Baking Studio

Located in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, Seongsu Baking Studio is owned by Hwang Seok-yong. The bakery draws visitors for its baguettes, sourdough and buttered ham sandwiches.

Instagram: @seongsu_baking_studio

Tomoroo

Located in Incheon, Tomoroo is owned by Kim Myung-gi. Rather than focusing on bread, the shop specializes in pastries and cakes. Its strawberry roll cake and fresh cream roll cake are particularly well known.

Instagram: @tomoroo_official