Imagine the aroma of freshly baked baguettes mixing with a dash of Korean history in the heart of Paris. On January 20th and 21st, the world’s most prestigious baking stage, the 2026 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie (Bakery World Cup), witnessed a historic moment. The South Korean national team rose to the top, proudly lifting the winner's trophy and proving that when it comes to bread, we mean business.
This victory is especially sweet because it marks the first time in a decade—since 2016—that Korea has stood at the very top of the podium. In a fierce competition against the world’s best, Korea managed to outshine Taiwan, who took second, and the traditional bread powerhouse France, who finished in third place. There’s just something extra satisfying about winning a bread competition in the city of croissants, isn't there?
A Majestic Turtle Ship Built with Dough and K-Ingredients
The theme for this year’s challenge was "Great Inventions of Our Country," and the Korean team delivered a masterpiece that left judges speechless. They crafted a stunning bread sculpture of the Turtle Ship (Geobukseon), the legendary ironclad warship from the Joseon Dynasty. Every detail, from the dragon head to the intricate sails, was rendered with breathtaking precision using nothing but dough.But the real secret sauce—or rather, secret dough—was in the ingredients. The team didn't just play by the rules; they reinvented them by incorporating traditional Korean flavors like Ssanghwa-tang (herbal tea), Garu-ssal (powdered rice), and turmeric. Across 22 different products, including baguettes and viennoiseries, the judges praised not only the unique taste and artistry but also the team's incredible efficiency and sustainable use of materials.
From Your Neighborhood to the Global Stage
The most heartwarming part of this story is that these world champions aren't just elite celebrity chefs. They are the master bakers who run local shops in Seoul, Daejeon, Hanam, and Incheon. After being selected by the Korea Bakers Association, they spent six grueling months in intensive training, perfecting their teamwork and recipes to take on the world.It looks like the "Bread Pilgrimage" (Bbang-ji-sun-rye 빵지순례) map is about to get an update. While France may be the spiritual home of bread, South Korea is officially its reigning king. Let’s raise a toast (pun intended) to these local heroes who have put K-Bakery on the global map!
