2020-3-fall-screen

If you walk around Hanok Village, the most popular
tourist spot in Jeonju, you’ll probably notice one thing
aside from people wearing hanbok: a bright orange and
brown paper bag emblazoned with the PNB logo. A trip
to the traditional city will not be complete without bringing
home this must-buy souvenir consisting of different flavors of
choco pie. The stores are also very accessible since there’s a
PNB bakery in every corner. But what many people don’t know
is the brand’s secret to longevity and how, after so many years,
it still maintains its title of being the best dessert in Jeonju.
1951
HISTORY OF PNB
PNB (also known as Pungnyeon Jegwa / 풍년제과) first opened
in 1951 in Jungang-dong, Jeonju. It is famous for selling choco
pie, a sweet snack with two small round layers of chocolate
cake with marshmallow filling. It’s not exactly a “pie” but the
term has become a constant in South Korea and in Jeonju, it
has become synonymous with PNB.
1951
Despite the changing of the times, the well-known
taste of the choco pies remained and passed down to
the founding families of PNB for three generations.
PNB didn’t actually begin by selling choco pies. The company's
story began with a sweet rice cracker seller, Jeon Byung-i, who
would walk around Jeollabuk-do to sell his goods. After the
liberation of Korea from Japan, his family member Kang Jeongmoon
opened a bakery in Jeonju, this time making a variety of
handcrafted baked goods. Soon after, the bakery made a welcome
addition which would then become the brand’s signature: the
choco pies. Now, these choco pies come in different flavors such
as strawberry, green tea, cheese, and vanilla.
1951
Although PNB is based in Jeonju, it also has branches at
Hyundai Department Stores in Seoul, where freshly baked
goods are delivered each day. PNB can also be found at
Hyundai’s Mok-dong, Apgujeong, and Coex.
Choco pie brands are all over Korean supermarkets, but one
thing’s for sure, the choco pies won’t taste as good if it didn’t
come from the orange bag.
Address: PNB Main Branch
180 Paldal-ro, Pungnam-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Phone: 063-226-2737 • http://www.pnb1951.com/
1951
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