I was walking through Insadong when I saw a long line. People were waiting for what looked like giant golden coins, fresh out of a special griddle. Each one was shaped like a 10-won coin, with the engraving and everything. I joined the line. 10-Won Bread(십원빵).
The vendor handed me one — warm, slightly crispy on the outside. I took a bite, and stretchy mozzarella cheese came pouring out. Sweet bread + cheesy center + coin shape = the most photogenic snack in Korea right now. The line was justified.
What Is It?
10-Won Bread(십원빵) is a viral Korean street snack — mochi-like sweet bread shaped exactly like the 10-won coin (about 3 inches across), filled with melted mozzarella cheese. The recreation of the coin’s engraving (the Dabotap pagoda) is what makes them special. About 200-300 kcal each.
The Trademark Story
10-won bread became a viral hit in 2022, with vendors popping up everywhere. There was even a legal controversy — Bank of Korea complained that the design too closely copied the actual coin. Vendors had to slightly modify the design. Even with the changes, the lines never stopped. That’s how good they are.
Where & Price
Tourist areas: Insadong, Hongdae, Myeongdong, Bukchon. Traditional markets too. Price: 2,000-3,000 KRW ($1.50-$2.25) per coin. Yes, much more than 10 won.
Modern Korean Innovation
10-won bread represents new-school Korean street food at its best — visual, viral, Instagram-ready, but also genuinely delicious. The cheese pull, the coin shape, the warm sweet bread — it’s designed for both your stomach and your camera. Find one with a long line. Wait. Take a photo. Eat it. Welcome to modern Seoul.
