$7 bread buffet sparks backlash over food waste

A viral 9,900 won ($7) all-you-can-eat bread buffet at Tous Les Jours is drawing criticism for encouraging food waste, with videos showing piles of half-eaten pastries left behind by customers. While the concept has drawn massive crowds and early-morning lines, calls are growing for the bakery chain to implement stricter rules. Operated by CJ Foodville, the premium Tous Les Jours stores in Gangnam and Apgujeong currently offer the “Green Plate” buffet, which allows guests to enjoy unlimited bread for one hour. The buffet includes dozens of pastry types and one complimentary drink. The low price and novelty have made the buffet a sensation online, with YouTube videos capturing scenes of customers lining up as early as 6 a.m. YouTuber BreadTube, who has over 140,000 subscribers, shared a video on March 30 showing a long queue outside the Gangnam store. “It opens at 8 a.m., but the line starts forming by 7. If you come then, it’s already too late,” she said. Another food vlogger reported arriving at 7:05 a.m. but was not seated until 11 a.m. But alongside the hype, criticism is mou