First dibs: Top picks at Korea’s cult-favourite Standard Bun pop-up in SG

For just 2 months, Korea’s hottest bakery — Standard Bun — is bringing its viral bakes to town! The pop-ups will be located at Suntec City (4 Jun to 3 Aug) and Bugis Junction (10 Jun to 13 Jul).

Famed for their mocha buns that see Seoulites queuing down the block, this is your chance to experience Korea’s bakery culture without hopping on a plane. Even the king of K-POP, G-Dragon, is a fan!

You may be wondering, “Isn’t the mocha bun just an overpriced Rotiboy?” I also had my doubts, so we tried 8 out of Standard Bun’s 25 flavours, and here’s our verdict.

The signature Mocha Bun (S$3.90) boasts a lightly dense, chewy centre with a crispy, fragrant mocha crust. But what sets Standard Bun’s bakes apart is their house-aged maple butter — a rich, savoury layer with a hint of mellow sweetness from the maple that lingers after every bite.

You can purchase the spread individually at S$2.90 for 50g and S$19 for 300g.

Although that didn’t blow us away, we absolutely adored the Salt Mocha Bun (S$4.20) (left). I’d best describe it as the love child of a coffee bun and a shio pan, 2 of the best breads in the world. Compared to its sweet counterpart, it’s slightly fluffier with a crispy, salty underside that contrasts with it perfectly.

Savoury bread lovers should definitely get the Garlic Cream Cheese Bun (S$5.50), which tastes as good as it looks. The filling was a decadent mix of slightly sweetish, garlicky, cheesy goodness that was rounded out with its creamy texture.

For my dessert lovers, I’d recommend the Milk Cream Bun (S$5.80) that transported me straight to Korea. It was packed to the brim with a rich milk cream that had a cloud-like texture, ensuring that it doesn’t get too jelak. It was pleasantly sweet, but not at all cloying. Paired with the fluffy bun, I simply couldn’t put it down.

Some notable mentions are the Apple Cinnamon Bun (S$5.60) and Jambon Bun (S$7.50). Both had the same base of a mocha bun, but I felt that the innovative flavour combinations here took it to the next level. Also, just look at those thick slabs of butter!

Although it’s just a pop-up, Standard Bun is going all the way by offering coffee and ice cream on the menu for the full cafe experience. And if there’s one thing Koreans nail, it has to be their innovative dessert coffee selection.

Pair your bakes with their signature Ice Cream Latte (Iced) (S$8.50) and Almond Mocha Java (S$7.50).

In my humble opinion as a self-proclaimed bread connoisseur, Standard Bun is above the standard, for sure. Ppalli head down to Standard Bun to try them for yourself!

Butter Town: Assorted buttery shio pan & decadent sourdough cakes from hawker stall