One thing I wish I could have appreciated better during my Japan Exchange Teaching stint is recognising just how different the people from one prefecture can be from their counterparts in the rest of the country. It seems that people in Kansai like to have bread instead of the rice-fish-miso-soup set for breakfast. If I had known that Osaka people enjoy eating bread so much that they are constantly planning about what bread to have for breakfast tomorrow - as seen in the photo depicting 明日のパン (ashita no pan) - I would have forged better connections with the Osaka people I met then.
Anyway, I fell in love with Neko Neko Shokupan during my trip to Fukuoka. Apparently, Neko Neko Shokupan started out by opening a kiosk within an outlet for Heart Bread Antique in Tokyo. Those feline-shaped loaves are so kawaii lar! So did the son because he eagerly pointed out the tomato-topped bread and expressed his desire to eat it. Best of all, I got a free cup of coffee because I purchased more than ¥1000 worth of bread! Consumer loyalty sealed.
After this experience, I concluded yet again that Japan is a dangerous place because it ignites the fire within you to spend happily and indiscriminately.
Back in Singapore but here are 3 Japanese bakeries I can try:
#1 Pullman Bakery in Sapporo, Hokkaido - delights your taste buds with its Hokkaido Curry buns, a concoction stuffed with fluffy potato chunks and sweet Japanese curry. Also refreshing on the palate is chikuwa (Japanese fish cake) rolls. Nestled within soft buns and seasoned with cheese, they are succulent.
#2 Asanoya in Karuizawa, Nagoya - Showcases European-style breads. Start off your day right by biting into its soft tea bread & savoring its whiff of Earl Grey fragrance that is created by mixing tea leaves & sweetened milk. Also try its Potato Cream which comprises an entire potato stuffed within a bun & topped off with butter & mayonnaise sauce.
#3 Donq in Kobe, Hyogo - Has a range of fluffy croissants, ranging from citron croissants & caramel nut sticks to sweet potato croissants & even Christmas-tree shaped chocolate croissants.
