The Vegan Rice Bread Bakery in Mapo That Sells Out by Afternoon

Jennie from BLACKPINK stopped here on a vlog. But honestly? That's not the reason to go. The reason to go is the fig rice sourdough (muhwa-gwa ssal kkampanyu) — and the fact that a registered dietitian is behind every loaf.

What to Expect

For Four Bread (포포브레드) is a fully vegan bakery that uses zero butter and zero eggs. Before you picture sad, dense health food — stop. The baker uses Korean rice flour and wild-yeast starter fermentation to get a crumb that's genuinely soft and almost pillowy. Rice-based bread tends to be lighter on the stomach than wheat, and gluten-sensitive visitors have specifically called it out as digestible in a way they didn't expect. Think of the texture like a good Japanese milk bread — tender, a little chewy — but made entirely from plant-based ingredients and local grain.

Most of the menu is also gluten-free, which is genuinely rare in Seoul. A few items contain oats, so check the labels if that matters to you — they list every ingredient on each item, which is a level of transparency you won't find at most bakeries here.

What to Order

Fig rice sourdough (muhwa-gwa ssal kkampanyu) — This is the one that went semi-viral. Dense in the best way, slightly tangy from the natural fermentation, and the fig pieces give it a honeyed richness. Get it early. It goes fast.

Salt bread (sogeum ppang) — Don't underestimate this. It's simple, a little crisp on the outside, soft inside, and one of those things that's better than it has any right to be. Multiple reviewers have come back specifically for this one.

Green tea madeleine with red bean filling — If you want something sweet, this is it. The red bean filling (pat) is earthy and lightly sweet — not cloying. If you've never had red bean in a pastry before, this is a low-risk, high-reward entry point. Several visitors bought a second one immediately after finishing the first.

Atmosphere & Vibe

It's a small space. Don't show up expecting a café where you linger over coffee for an hour — this is more of a grab-and-go situation. The staff are warm and the shelves are well-labeled, which matters a lot when you're navigating an unfamiliar menu. It feels like a personal project, not a chain operation, because it is.

The neighborhood is residential Mapo — quieter than Hongdae's main drag, the kind of street where locals actually live. That 14-minute walk from Hongik University Station is real, so budget for it.

Practical Info

• Address: 서울특별시 마포구 동교로 18길 13 / 13, Donggyo-ro 18-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Google Maps: Open in Google Maps
• Nearest subway: Hongik University Station, 14-minute walk
• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM / Closed Sunday & Monday
• Price range: Roughly 4,000–8,000 KRW per item
• Spice level: None
• Vegan: Yes — 100% vegan, mostly gluten-free
• Halal-friendly: Partial (no animal products except possible trace oats; no alcohol)
• Reservations: Not available
• Good for groups: Not really — small space, limited browsing room

Closing Tip

Go within the first hour of opening. Sellouts are common — especially on weekends — and the items worth visiting for are the first to disappear. Tuesday afternoon is your lowest-traffic window if you want to browse without pressure.

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