Think of Italy and rich, earthy, buttery tones.
Then, think of Migo Bakery in the heart of Seoul.
Migo, unlike its cold, gray surroundings, is a warm cloak of earthy hues and textures. Its façade imitates the look of an Italian bakery, or the Korean notion of one, with its black window-shop doors, wrought-iron handles and a circular sign hanging above the door. It has an enclosed patio where you can sit at tables on wicker chairs in the open air when temperatures are warm.
Even before you walk in, the European look evokes images of baskets of bread loaves amidst cookie tins, cheese, and sliced meat, and links of sausages strung from the ceiling. The visual smorgasbord might be accompanied by the mingled aromas of espressos and hot sandwiches and the heat of the stove. Such high expectations you may have.
You walk in, and you find to your pleasure that the interior does not disappoint. Freshly-baked loaves of breads, pastries, and desserts are displayed in well-lit display cases at the front, under the counter, and in the back. The loaves’ tags read ciabatta, foccaccia, croissant, rye, and Italian roll. You can smell the potpourri of flour and sugar mixed in with cinnamon, nutmeg, and oil. You eye the Danish rolls on the top shelf and spot jars of Green Tea and Almond Cookies as you move through the line, and you glance at the bakers in the back. You notice how the brick wall pleasantly frames them; their movements eclipsed by the bustle of the cashiers as they move back and forth taking people’s orders. Your eyes then travel up to a hanging display of garlic, peppers, and copper pots and pans before finally resting on the mounted menu displays of the sandwiches, salads, beverages, and desserts they serve.
Cee and I decided to come here for lunch last Sunday. We hadn’t planned on turning our outing into our next moment of exploration for our blog, but we considered the place too charming to not include in our next post. Their selection of cold and hot sandwiches looked large at first until I saw that over half of their salads and sandwiches were “sold out”. Gone for the day were their Rosemary Camembert, Kraftcorn Bread, Burritos, Brie Apple, and Ciabatta Grilled Sausage sandwiches among others. Despite my diminished choices, I still felt I had found a culinary gem in Migo and made a note to come back here again.
The line was long and Cee and I had arrived late; the place was obviously a favorite among certain Seoulites. The offerings also included freshly squeezed juice, teas, coffee, espressos, and desserty tarts and cakes made there in the establishment. They had something I’d never heard of before that they called “yogoccino”. Perhaps a cross between yoghurt and frappuccino. I'll have to order one next time. Prices ranged from 5,000 to 7,000 for sandwiches, 2,000 to 5,000 won for drinks, and 3,000-7,000 won for desserts. They also offered set meals of sandwiches and americanos, their morning pack being 4,500 won and the lunch pack (with “vegetable fried rice”) 4,900 won. Cee ordered a sandwich (which disappeared fast), clam chowder, and freshly-squeezed orange juice, All were enjoyed thoroughly. I ordered a pre-wrapped salmon and cream cheese sandwich on an Italian roll which I liked but would've given a B rating. It lacked something...more innards and dressing perhaps. Despite this, I still wanted to come back to the bakery another day and try some of their other fare.
Migo is worth checking out. The prices are reasonable, selection is extensive, and they have plenty of seating in the front and back and on the second floor. Seriously, go check it out, and if you are impressed (or not) leave a comment here on this blog! Bon appétit!
Subway directions to Migo:
Ride the green line, line 2, to Ehwa Woman's University and take exit 1.
Walk straight for about 300 yards. You'll pass by a Rotiboy...
...and a Tom N Toms. Keep going until you hit the next major intersection.
Turn right at the intersection. There'll be a Nonghyup bank on your right.
Walk. A Smoothie King will come into view.
When you approach the street, you'll see a huge Megaplex and the Sinchon train station on your left across the street. Smoothie King will be right in front of you. Turn right, down the lane.
Walk fewer than 100 yards, and Migo's oval sign will come into view on your right.
As things would have it, in the last year the business district has been expanding up the hill. At a surreptitiously fast pace, buildings are being restored and converted into businesses including restaurants and coffee shops which has led to a sense of change in the air. 
Dori, having majored in art and design, opened TAF to provide a space where her customers could customize their orders and be surrounded by good art and music. “It’s hard to find restaurants where [you can do this].” Besides a selection of coffee drinks, sodas, teas, and alcoholic beverages, she also plans to put salads, bagels, and desserts on the menu. 
