Japanese Bread
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Bread
Japanese bread is known for its soft, fluffy texture, slightly sweet dough, and huge variety of sweet and savoury options. From classic breads like anpan and melon pan to creative breads filled with Japanese ingredients, Japanese bakeries offer something for everyone.
You can find breads filled with curry, cream, red bean paste, yakisoba, and many other ingredients.
Japanese bakeries can be both traditional and creative💫
What Makes Japanese Bread Different?
Japanese bakeries use ingredients that you may not usually expect to see in bread, such as matcha, hojicha, chestnuts, black beans, and red bean paste.
Some breads are simple and familiar, while others combine Japanese ingredients with Western-style bread.
Popular Japanese Breads 🍞
Anpan（あんパン）
Soft bread filled with sweet red bean paste. It’s one of the most classic Japanese breads.
Melon Pan（メロンパン）
A sweet bread with a crisp, cookie-like topping. Despite its name, it usually doesn’t contain melon.
Curry Pan（カレーパン）
Bread filled with curry and usually deep-fried. It’s crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Cream Pan（クリームパン）
Soft bread filled with sweet custard cream. You can also find versions with matcha cream or other fillings.
Korone（コロネ）
A spiral-shaped bread filled with chocolate cream. It’s soft, light, and easy to eat.
Shokupan（食パン）
Soft, fluffy white bread baked in a loaf. It’s often enjoyed toasted, but you can also eat it fresh and soft.
Yakisoba Pan（焼きそばパン）
A soft bread roll filled with Japanese-style yakisoba noodles. It’s a popular savoury bread and a fun one to try in Japan.
Korokke Pan（コロッケパン）
A soft bread roll filled with or served with a Japanese croquette. It’s usually topped with sauce or other simple fillings.
An Butter（あんバター）
Some bread filled with sweet red bean paste and butter. The combination of sweet and salty flavours is especially popular.
Shio Pan（塩パン）
A small bread with melted butter inside and a sprinkle of salt on top. It’s buttery and slightly salty.
Rice Flour Bread（米粉パン）
Bread made partly or mainly with rice flour. Some versions are gluten-free, but it’s important to check the ingredients and preparation.
Age Pan（揚げパン）
Deep-fried bread usually coated with sugar or kinako (soybean flour). It’s especially familiar from Japanese school lunches.
Koppe Pan（コッペパン）
A simple soft bread roll that can be filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. It’s also well known from Japanese school lunches.
Walnut Bread（くるみパン）
Soft bread filled with crunchy walnuts. The combination of soft bread and crunchy nuts makes it a simple but satisfying choice.
How to Buy Bread at a Japanese Bakery 🍞
① Take a Tray and Tongs
In many Japanese bakeries, trays and tongs are near the entrance. Take a tray and use the tongs to pick up the bread you want.
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② Choose the Bread You Want
Place the bread on your tray as you choose it.
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③ Take Your Tray to the Register
Once you’ve finished choosing, take your tray to the register.
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④ Pay at the Register
Some bakeries have staff serve the bread for you instead. That’s also normal. Just point to the bread you want and ask the staff.
Some larger breads can be cut in half if you ask the staff.
Japanese Bakeries to Check Out 🇯🇵
Japan has many bakeries, from long-running bakery chains to small shops and modern bakeries.
🍞Here are some well-known bakery chains🍞
- LITTLE MERMAID
- VIE DE FRANCE
- DONQ
- POMPADOUR
- KOBEYA KITCHEN
🥐Here are some popular bakeries in Tokyo🥐
- BREAD, ESPRESSO &
- THE CITY BAKERY
- TruffleBAKERY
- AMAM DACOTAN
- dacō
- 365 Days
Supermarket & Convenience Store Bread
You don’t have to visit a bakery to try Japanese bread. Supermarkets and convenience stores have many packaged breads that are affordable and easy to find.
You’ll find many different flavours and fillings, including cream, curry, egg, and chocolate🥖🥚🍫
Try something new the next time you visit a Japanese bakery! 🍞