Fresh from the Oven! Delicious Bread from Shichijō's Best Bakery
If I were to ask you which food is synonymous with Kyoto, how would you reply? Matcha? Tofu? Yatsuhashi, perhaps? It’s true that these kinds of foods are strongly associated with Kyoto, steeped in tradition as the city is. However, if you were to ask me, without a moment’s hesitation I would respond “pastries!” What’s more, I've got statistical proof to back me up! Kyoto is actually the largest consumer of bread in all of Japan, and accordingly, the city is overflowing with bakeries to meet the cravings of its dwellers. One year ago I set myself the challenge of visiting every single in bakery in the city to see what they have to offer. Today, I'd like to introduce one of my favorites.
This particular bakery is called Inoue and it is located near Shichijō station. It's a small shop in a very unassuming building; one can’t help but notice the stark contrast to the blazing neon signage of the neighboring convenience store. It pains me to think of the people who, in search of a Danish, do not notice Inoue bakery and instead head for the uninspired fare on offer next-door. These unfortunate souls are missing out something special, because Inoue offers food unlike any of the other bakeries I have visited.
First and foremost, the shop's pièce de résistance is its sandwiches. While many bakeries have now perfected the art of sweet Danish treats, a good sandwich continues to elude many of Kyoto's bakers. Inoue forgoes the boring, crustless, white bread option, instead opting to use a delicious walnut bread bun that provides the most supremely satisfying texture when munched on. There are a few classic filling choices, such as the tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo where the succulent cheese pairs perfectly with the tomato, marking it as a special culinary experience on any day of the week. However, my personal favorite is a sandwich filling I've never found elsewhere: akin to a salad niçoise, it features an exquisite blend of boiled egg, tuna, potato, and olives.
The bakery also carries a number of more traditional sweet pastries. My favorite is the chocolate scone, which the Inoue bakery totally nails. It is an example of a scone with perfect consistency. Moreover, as with the sandwiches, from taste alone it is possible to tell that the chocolate and macadamia nut fillings are of the highest quality. There is no better companion for a cup of Earl Grey tea!
The bakery has recently undergone a renovation that has transformed the place into an extremely modern, chic store. Nonetheless, the prices have remained at an affordable level. While bakeries in the north of Kyoto charge upwards of ¥300 for a sandwich, Inoue offers its sandwiches for less than ¥200. In addition to this friendly pricing, the owners are all very pleasant, always providing service with a smile. If you are ever around the Shichijō area and looking for a lunchtime sandwich or a morning pastry, look no further than the Inoue bakery!
