Thanks to the importing of Western culture and cuisine, bakeries selling sweets, bread, cookies, and other baked goods are abundant and popular all over Japan. It isn’t unusual to find at least one small bakery, whether chain or local, whenever you arrive at a new town or city. You’ll often find bakeries in hotels, as…

Japan is well known for amazing food choices and usually, some of the first things that come to mind are sushi, ramen, or even that dreaded natto (fermented soybeans). Yet did you know that they have incredible bakeries and baked goods as well? Yes, Japan produce some of the fluffiest bread around, made with the…

If you’ve ever been to Japan and visited a pastry shop or bakery, one item that you surely must have noticed is the melon pan. Or if you haven’t been to Japan, you might have at least seen melon pan through Japanese dramas or anime. Author’s photo Melon pan is one of the most loved…

It should be noted a priori that Japanese breads are nothing like their western counterparts. The latter is crustier, dryer and has the wheat aroma, while the former is soft, doughy, and sweet. It is white bread that has a standard mold shape, and may be likened to “Wonder Bread” or a “Gardenia Loaf”. This…

Meron pan or melon bread is one of the famous types of bread in Japan. Everyone seems to love it. The original Melon Pan has no melon used anywhere during the process of making it. The name most probably came from the outer crust of the bread that maybe does look a little bit like…