Korea takes its bread seriously. Seriously enough that there is an annual competition — Le Pain Bread Festival — where bakers from across the country compete for titles in categories like baguette and croissant. The 2024 croissant champion runs a bakery cafe called Choi, and Cafe Choi Yangsan sits not in Seoul or central Busan, but along the Nakdonggang River in Yangsan, one stop past the end of Busan Metro Line 2.
I went on a grey, drizzly day with no particular plan — just a drive to get out of the city. I came back with a box full of bread and a mental note to return for the rooftop at sunset.
Cafe Choi Yangsan is a large multi-floor bakery cafe in Yangsan, South Korea, just across the city boundary from Busan. It sits near Hopo Station, the last stop on Busan Metro Line 2 — the same line that runs through Seomyeon and Haeundae — making it one of the most accessible riverside escapes from the city without needing a car.
Table of Contents
Basic Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Cafe Choi |
| Address | 83 Yangsan-daero, Dongmyeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam |
| Nearest Station | Hopo Station Exit 3, Busan Metro Line 2 (272m / approx. 5 min walk via footbridge) |
| Hours | Daily 09:00 – 21:50 (Last order 21:20) |
| Structure | 1F Bakery / 2F Cafe / 3F – Rooftop seating |
| Parking | In-building 1F + basement (elevator access) |
Getting There from Busan
Hopo Station is the last stop on Busan Metro Line 2. Exit 3 connects directly to a footbridge that leads straight to the building — even on a first visit, you will not get lost. Once you are there, an elevator connects all floors, which makes it easy for families with strollers or anyone who would rather not take the stairs.
That accessibility shows in the crowd. On a rainy weekday afternoon, the cafe was still full — parents with young children, groups of older women catching up over coffee, people who had clearly made this a regular stop.
The Baker Behind the Bread
The 2024 Le Pain Bread Festival croissant champion title is displayed at the entrance alongside the baker’s credentials and awards. It is not the kind of thing that needs much explaining — it is either the sort of detail that makes you stop and look more carefully at what is in the display case, or it is not. For most people who notice it, it tends to be the former.
The bakery takes up the entire first floor. The display runs along one side, stacked with dozens of items across categories: pastries, classic Korean breads, seasonal specials, savory options for a full meal, and a few high-end items like the 72-hour panettone made with natural yeast. There is an in-house baking room visible from the floor, which explains why the bread does not taste like it has been sitting since morning.
What to Order
With this many options, it helps to have a starting point. These are the ones worth prioritizing:
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 Croissant | The signature — made by the 2024 Le Pain croissant champion | ₩4,500 (~$3 USD) |
| Choi Bread | Fresh cream, red bean and chestnut — the bestseller | ₩7,000 (~$5 USD) |
| Mont Blanc | Layered pastry with black tea syrup filling | ₩7,200 (~$5 USD) |
| Korean Beef Croquette | Stir-fried Korean beef inside a fried croquette — works as a light meal | ₩3,800 (~$3 USD) |
| Red Bean Bread | Classic red bean and walnut — clean and reliable | ₩2,800 (~$2 USD) |
| Green Onion Salt Bread | Chewy salt bread base with green onion cream filling | ₩3,800 (~$3 USD) |
| Black Garlic Bread | Baguette-style with garlic cream and black garlic topping | ₩7,500 (~$5 USD) |
The 72-hour panettone (₩30,000 / ~$20 USD) and an exclusive house item simply listed as the sun-and-moon bread (₩13,000 / ~$9 USD) are both worth knowing about if you are there for something more special. Seasonal items like watermelon juice and shaved ice were on offer during summer.
We picked up a cafe latte and a milk tea on the second floor along with several breads. Plates and forks come out immediately if you are eating in. Drinks are prepared upstairs, so there is no juggling a tray between floors. The window seats go fast — the Nakdonggang River view fills one side of the building, and even on an overcast day the light off the water is worth competing for. We ended up at a street-facing table, which turned out to be fine. The bread does not care about the view.
Leftover bread can be packed to go, which makes it easy to pick up more than you can eat in one sitting. Several people at nearby tables were doing exactly that.
Worth the Ride
The area around Hopo Station has developed into a quiet day-trip corridor along the Nakdonggang River — cafes and restaurants strung along the water, accessible without a car, calm enough on weekdays to feel like you have stepped out of Busan entirely.
Cafe Choi Yangsan is the anchor of that stretch. It earns that position not just because of the title on the wall but because the bread backs it up. The croissant in particular — flaky, layered, buttery without being heavy — is the kind of thing you think about on the subway ride home and wonder whether you should have bought two.
If you are planning a day trip from Busan and want somewhere to eat, browse bread, sit by the river, and get back without needing to rent a car, Cafe Choi Yangsan is an easy answer. On a clear evening, the rooftop catches the sunset over the Nakdonggang. I have not made it back for that yet, but it is on the list.
Where is Cafe Choi located and how do I get there from Busan?
Cafe Choi is at 83 Yangsan-daero, Dongmyeon, Yangsan-si, South Korea — just across the boundary from Busan. The easiest way to get there is by Busan Metro Line 2 to Hopo Station (the last stop), Exit 3. A covered footbridge connects the exit directly to the building, about 272 meters or a 5-minute walk.
What are Cafe Choi’s opening hours?
Cafe Choi is open daily from 09:00 to 21:50, with last order at 21:20. There are no regular closing days listed — it operates seven days a week.
Who runs Cafe Choi and what makes it special?
Cafe Choi is run by the 2024 Le Pain Bread Festival croissant champion. The baker’s credentials and awards are displayed at the entrance. The bakery operates an in-house baking room on the first floor, so bread is made fresh on site. The menu covers dozens of items across pastry, classic Korean breads, savory options, and seasonal specials.
What should I order at Cafe Choi?
The No.1 Croissant (₩4,500 / ~$3 USD) is the signature item — made by the 2024 croissant champion and worth trying first. The Choi Bread (₩7,000 / ~$5 USD), filled with fresh cream, red bean and chestnut, is the bestseller. For something savory, the Korean Beef Croquette (₩3,800 / ~$3 USD) works well as a light meal. The 72-hour panettone (₩30,000 / ~$20 USD) is the standout high-end item, made with natural yeast over three days.
Is there seating and what is the view like?
Yes. The cafe spans multiple floors — the first floor is the bakery, the second floor has cafe seating, and the third floor leads to a rooftop. Window seats on the river-facing side look out over the Nakdonggang River. These fill up quickly, especially on weekends. The building has an elevator, making all floors accessible. Parking is available in the building on the first floor and in the basement.
Can I take leftover bread to go?
Yes. Leftover bread can be packed to take with you, which makes it easy to buy more than you can finish in one sitting. Several items also make good gifts to bring back from a day trip.
Is Cafe Choi worth a visit as a day trip from Busan?
Yes, especially if you enjoy bakeries and want a quieter atmosphere than central Busan. The area around Hopo Station along the Nakdonggang River is a low-key day-trip corridor with cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Cafe Choi Yangsan is the anchor of that area — the bread quality is high, the space is large enough to find a seat even on busy days, and the subway connection from Busan makes it easy to visit without a car.