Rolling Pin Bake & Coffee [Mimi's World Tour]

Bakery: Rolling Pin Bake & Coffee 
Address: 30 Urban Place, Hyoryeong-ro 77-gil, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Website: http://rollingpin.co.kr/main/index.html
Style: Korean 
Price: $$$ 

The only bakery I could find in Gangnam that wasn't the ever-present Paris Baguette, Rolling Pin is actually also a chain of bakeries. Compared to Paris Baguette's million locations, they're a more humble franchise, but still several dozen outlets in Seoul and throughout the country. Strangely enough, I never did spot another Rolling Pin during my remaining time in the capital nor did I see any elsewhere.

With its industrial chic look, uptight service and... 6,500 won drinks ;D, this Rolling Pin is in keeping with the neighbourhood. I also found it expensive/overpriced for what is essentially a bakery franchise; whether that's also due to the neighbourhood or it's a Rolling Pin thing is yet to be determined. There is signage in English.

On a weekday afternoon, the shelves were pretty much empty. With the exception of one last croissant and some savoury buns, the red bean rice cake pastry (3,800 won) was more or less the only choice. Somehow I pictured the rice cake being the dough itself, not an actual rice cake smeared in red bean jam inside a pastry. The thick, glutinous rice cake didn't really match the airy texture of the pastry. I also found it not sweet at all; actually, it was pretty tasteless. Not to mention there was way too much of that dusting on top. Fairly dry (and drier thanks to that topping), mismatching textures and a lack of taste resulted in me... not being a fan. Interesting, but maybe there was a reason why this was one of the few things left behind?

Rating: **