About the Franchise

I Am Bagel was founded in 2012 by a couple who couldn’t forget the experience after trying a delicious bagel during a trip to New York. This inspired them to open their first small shop in Yeouido. And today there are 3 more stores in central Seoul: Gongdeok, Yongsan, and Gwanghwamun (with the Gwanghwamun branch being their most recently opened store as of January 2025). Strategically located in key business districts, these stores have become popular breakfast and lunch spots for nearby office workers. Their signature menu is consistently available at all three stores, so you can conveniently stop by the branch that’s nearest to you!

Menu & Pricing

I Am Bagel offers a well-rounded menu that caters to both quick bites and filling meals. You’ll find classic bagel options paired with a variety of cream cheese spreads. They also serve a range of hearty sandwiches and salads, featuring fresh ingredients like avocado, salmon, ham, and chicken, all served on your choice of bagel (including plain, wholemeal, cinnamon raisin, and more).

Prices for bagels with cream cheese generally range from ₩4,000 to ₩6,000, while sandwiches and salads are priced between ₩9,000 and ₩13,000 depending on the toppings. You can also add some warmth to your meal by adding a soup or coffee!

What I Ordered

🥑Crab Avocado Sandwich

The Crab Avocado Sandwich at I Am Bagel is a delightful mix of creamy crab salad and avocado, enhanced by a light wasabi-mustard sauce that adds a refreshing kick. On my recent visit I customized mine with a whole wheat bagel and added omelet and arugula for extra texture and nutrition. Even as a to-go order, the bagel stayed warm and crispy, balancing the soft fillings perfectly. With its fresh, flavorful ingredients and satisfying portions, this sandwich was a healthy yet indulgent choice for my lunch.

The picture on the right is from another visit, when I decided to add salmon gravlax instead of omelet. The rich, cured salmon brought a deeper seafood flavor that complemented the freshness of the crab salad and the buttery avocado. The ability to customize my sandwich with toppings and bagel flavors is one of the biggest reasons why I love I Am Bagel.

🍎Apple Jambon Emmental Sandwich

On my third visit to the shop, I went for the Apple Jambon Emmental Sandwich—again opting for the wholemeal bagel as my base (yes, it’s my favorite!). This sandwich featured a classic combination of flavors from crisp apple slices, savory jambon ham, creamy Emmental cheese, and fresh lettuce stacked generously between the bagel halves. What really surprised me was the subtle layer of sweet jam spread on the bagel, which brought a delightful contrast to the salty ham and cheese and tied all the ingredients together.

Compared to the Crab Avocado Sandwich, this one felt lighter and less filling—perhaps due to the fruitiness and overall sweetness—more like a snack than a meal. I’d recommend it as a great breakfast option, but for lunch I personally preferred the more satisfying crab avocado sandwich.