korean bakery

[ossauiraty]

A friend recently gave me a slice of cream cake from a Korean bakery in manhattan. it was amazing! i am wondering which bakeries in koreatown are really good, specifically for the cake.

[michelleats]

The slice might have been from Cafe Muse. Muse specializes more in cakes, while Koryodong specializes more in breads and pastries.

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Cafe Muse
43 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

[Miss Needle]

Could also be Paris Baguette. I think a branch recently opened up in K town.

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Paris Baguette
6 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

[michelleats]

RIght, Paris, too. I haven't tried it, yet, and it looks like they have a wide range of products. Do you know if they are good?

[Miss Needle]

I've only been to the one in Flushing. I'm not a huge fan of Asian bakeries in general. But I have to say that Paris is probably my favorite (but I haven't had any of their cakes). They have a very good selection. I remember having a pumpkin mochi donut that was interesting.

[Lau]

I like the pastries at paris better than koryodong

they have some pretty good cakes at paris baguette, in particular the blueberry chiffon cake is quite good

[michelleats]

That does sound interesting. I had my first mochi donut at Cafe Zaiya this past year. I'm still not sure I liked it (I am a fan of really, really mushy soft mochi), but it was definitely interesting. I need to find an excuse to head to that way, soon.

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Cafe Zaiya
1073 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018

[selenster]

i've purchased pastries for a coworker's celebration at the paris baguette in K-town and everyone really liked them. (i don't eat sweets generally)

[uwsister]

I like Paris Baguette a lot. I think it's so much better than Koryodang. I'm so happy that it opened in K-Town.

[diprey11]

What would you recommend to someone who never had a Korean dessert/baked item? I know this is quite a general question, sorry...

[Miss Needle]

That is really difficult to say because there's such a large selection and tastes are very personal. Luckily, the goods aren't too expensive (though more than Chinese bakeries). A few things I would try:

croquettes -- personally, I think they're tastier than the Chinese versions; fillings are different and taste is some how "porkier"; warning -- it's greasy
mochi donuts -- I love their chewy texture; warning -- it's greasy
cheesecake -- lighter than traditional NY cheesecake
cakes -- lighter and not as sweet as the American counterparts but richer and not as "artificial-tasting" as Chinese versions
sweet potato pastries/red bean pastries -- some may not enjoy the carb overload; not really my personal favorites, but I think it's a thing to try when in a Korean bakery
pat bing soo -- shave ice topped with fruit, beans, condensed milk, etc.

I generally stay away from chocolate items in Asian bakeries because I'm disappointed. I remember I was so underwhelmed by Paris's mocha bun. It was basically a dry bun with a hint of mocha in it. I prefer flavors that are more assertive. Their fruit flavored items tend to be stronger.

If one is used to American/French bakeries, you're probably going to find the stuff a bit strange, even if you're eating things like chocolate croissants. It's different. Personally, I'd rather eat a croissant from La Bergamote than Paris Baguette. Maybe it's because I was raised eating European and American goods (my first pastry was from Nita's European Bakery in Sunnyside). So I can't help but feel that a lot of the stuff doesn't taste quite "right."

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La Bergamote
515 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Paris Baguette
6 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

[uwsister]

I will add some of my favorites:

Milk Bread - it's like softer, milkier version of white bread. I love eating it by itself or making sweet sandwiches (nutella, etc.)
Chestnut bread - it's a loaf of bread with chestnuts baked throughout
Custard bun - self-explanatory, yellow, creamy custard in a bun
Anything that says "tapioca" - chewy-textured bread, I especially love it with red bean filling
Sweet potato cake - It might remind you too much of mashed sweet potato (that's what my American husband said when he tasted it) but I love it
Green tea chiffon cake - self-explanatory, it's pretty subtle in its sweetness, like many other Asian/Korean sweets
Whipped cream cake - light, airy cake with whipped cream and canned fruits

Note that a lot of these items are also sold at Chinese and Japanese bakeries, of course.

[ossauiraty]

thanks everyone for the info! i actually remember that the wrapping on the cake said koryodong. it was a mocha cream cake and was really excellent- it had VERY little sugar, and that's what I like (very hard to find with american cakes). i'll definitely try paris baguette. the website looks really good!

by the way, do you know if they use white yam in the sweet potato cake, or is it american sweet potato?

[Miss Needle]

Probably white yam as I've never seen an orange sweet potato in a Korean bakery.

[bigjeff]

sometimes koryodang has "ugly" cakes which are really good. also the bacon dutch is good.

[Lau]

whats a bacon dutch? that is very funny sounding btw haha

[squid kun]

http://www.chow.com/digest/4558/for-s... (third item

)

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Koryodang
31 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001