Standing firmly amid an influx of foreign donut chains like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts is Jung Donuts, located in the city of Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province.

In an effort to make donuts as healthy as they are tasty, Jung Donuts makes its batter with rice powder, which is 10 times less fattening than regular flour and creates a denser consistency, said the company. Jung Donuts also incorporates other fresh, local specialty ingredients such as ginger, Korean ginseng, apple and blueberry into its donuts. The ginger donut has become a staple item of the shop, with the ginger’s sweet and tangy taste nicely complementing the chewy texture of the bread. 

Richemont Bakery, Seoul

Richemont Bakery is an iconic eatery in Seoul’s Mapo-gu area. Built in 1979 by baker Kwon Sang-bum, the bakery boasts over 400 varieties of baked goods and confectionery, from baguettes and sandwich loafs to sugar-dusted dacquoises, creamy choux with real vanilla filling and an endless array of cakes, tarts and sandwiches.

A beloved landmark for 29 years, the bakery’s most famous branch was edged out of its Hongdae premises in 2012, when the spot was leased to Angel-in-us Coffee, a cafe run by Lotte Group. Many at the time deplored the eviction of the symbolic neighborhood spot and the proliferation of conglomerate-funded chains.   

Richemont Bakery now operates three stores, in Sungsan-dong, Yeonhui-dong and at the Ewha Womans University campus, and runs the Richemont Confectionery and Bakery Institute.

By Rumy Doo(bigbird@heraldcorp.com)