Bread has become a beloved breakfast staple in most Singaporean households, and I’m always looking out for new options to add to the table. The latest craze? Shio pan, otherwise known as Japanese salted butter rolls.
Helmed by Masterchef Singapore runner-up and founder of Sourbombe Bakery, Shio & Sato has made a name for itself with its hearty and decadent rolls, which are regularly snapped up at its pop-ups.
Shio Pan Set ($34)
With its dark wooden interiors and old-school vinyls pumping out soft jazz beats, Corner Corner makes the perfect setting for a Japanese slice-of-life drama. Yet this slice of heaven can be found in the heart of Duxton Road, a 1-min walk from Maxwell MRT station.
What do Nasu and The Beatles have in common? A themed bakery and cafe called Bakery Cafe Penny Lane! Driving up Nasu Highlands which is known for its forest trails and hilly areas, you would least expect to find a gathering of cottage-like buildings reminiscent of the English countryside.
Bakery Cafe Penny Lane Nasu is one of seven sister cafes scattered across Tochigi and Ibaraki, all except a couple similarly themed to re-create the atmosphere of a traditional English teahouse.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Paaru Bakery has closed. Visit their sister cafe, Paaru Cafe.
There is something charming about walking into a cozy bakery filled with all types of inviting aromas and goods, picking up a freshly baked loaf, and going about your day. Paaru Bakery is the sister bakery to Paaru Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall, Japanese-style cafe which recently opened at Pearl’s Hill Terrace.
This is one of the rare reviews I’ve hesitated to write about. After all, these are one or two spots every foodie holds dear, that they prefer to protect at all costs against an impending horde of fellow cafe-hoppers and bloggers. Nevertheless, it seems my hesitation is unfounded, judging by how Paaru Cafe is already seeing swelling crowds, with curious folks making the pilgrimage to Pearl’s Hill Terrace even on weekdays.
Many of us have fond memories of munching on a warm an pan for a quick breakfast or after-school snack. But did you know that this bite-sized comfort food was supposedly born in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo?
Ginza Kimuraya is a heritage bakery of almost two centuries, having opened its doors in 1869. Situated on the same road as the iconic Seiko House Ginza Clock Tower, it is widely regarded as the oldest and first Western-style bakery in Japan.
While Harajuku 原宿 is widely considered as one of the ultimate places for teenaged fashionistas to visit, especially on the weekend, the hipster haven is also host to a variety of foodie gems. Whether it’s a sugary treat or a belly busting bowl of ramen, here’s a rough guide of what to check out if you’re feeling anything between peckish to ravenous:
Catch up on the rest of my Tokyo trip here!
Chue On It 