10 Most Popular Bakeries Among Locals in Kyoto

Tamaki-Tei

Worthy of being known as the king of Kyoto bakeries, fans flock to Tamaki-Tei from all over the country. The bakery prides itself on its hard breads, particularly its baguettes, while also serving delectable casse-croutes (baguette sandwiches), bacon-stuffed breads, and pastries filled with sweet Tanba black beans and other ingredients. It goes without saying that this bakery is incredibly particular about the quality of the dough, but it also does not skimp on any of the additional ingredients either, such as the curry for the curry bread or their charbroiled chicken. Tamaki-Tei is overall pricier than other bakeries, but just one bite of one of their items will instantly prove that it's all worth it. It is worth your time and money to stop by this bakery when visiting Kyoto.

fiveran

Due to its location in the middle of the business district, this bakery is popular among the office workers working in nearby buildings. Although the crescent-shaped counter may look like the interior of a boutique at first glance, a closer look will reveal dozens of different types of bread lined up on display. The baguettes have been made with the highest ratio of water possible, giving the bread a fluffy texture, and the umami from the abundance of wheat spreads in your mouth more and more with each bite. fiveran offers a wide variety of both stuffed and sweet breads, including French bread filled with mentaiko (pollock roe), sandwiches bursting with fillings, crispy honey toast, and fragrant brioche. The shop aims to make sure that its bread can also be enjoyed the day after purchase, and true to their goal, the bread is just as delicious and fragrant the next day.

FLIP UP!

FLIP UP! is beloved amongst the locals, with a steady stream of customers beginning in the morning. It has gained popularity with a wide variety of items, including its signature bagels made with natural yeast, loaves of bread, croissants, and pastries. The prices are fair, considering its use of quality ingredients such as thick pork sausage, thickly sliced bacon, and cream cheese. You will be surprised at how it adds up to be a real steal. The bagels can be sandwich-like, stuffed with tandoori chicken, ham and cheese, and more; some have chocolate, cheese, or white sesame kneaded into the dough, adding up to a large selection of bagel options. The bread here is so good, you'll want to visit every day!

Shirohato Bakery

Situated to the south of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this bakery has a modest storefront, even though it is located in the middle of the city. Unassuming cream buns, butter rolls, and country-style bread line the shelves, but you'll somehow find your hands reaching for the row of palm-sized bread. There are quite a few types of bread at this bakery that use wholewheat flour, rye, and brown rice, and there are also loaves of bread (such as the brown rice bread) that don't use eggs or dairy products - perfect for people with specific food allergies. Locals who live alone and solo travelers also enjoy this bakery, as they offer many smaller products ranging from 150 - 200 yen, such as 1/4 loaves of bread and single-serving baguettes. The early opening time is great for a stop-by before beginning to explore the city. This shop subtly overflows with hospitality and caters to the needs of each customer.

Le Petitmec Oike Branch

Bread lovers from around the country come to admire this famous bakery. Le Petitmec has three branches within the city, the names of the branches being based on the color of the exterior of the shops. The main Imadegawa branch is known as "Akamec" (red mec), and the Oike branch is called "Kuromec" (black mec). The shop is most famous for its roast beef and blue cheese sliders, as well as other dishes that are probably more appropriately classified as French cuisine rather than bread, such as roast pork and plum simmered in red wine, chicken thigh with cranberry sauce, quiche lorraine, and a salmon and avocado tartare sandwich. There is also a unique menu available to perfectly pair with wine. The exquisite pastry lineup includes chocolate tart, apple tarte fine, pear cream sandwiches, and other pastries that would put a patissier to shame.

Maruki Seipanjo

Maruki, the pride of Kyoto's local bakeries. Starting from 7:30 am, customers come one after another to buy bread from this bakery on the corner of a small shopping street. Men and women of all ages line up get their hands on the beloved, affordable bread, including croquettes, yakisoba bread, and cream buns. Although the ingredients and appearances may seem extremely simple, your mouth will be bursting with flavor the second you take a bite. Each item makes use of the flavors of all the ingredients, including sumptuous potato croquettes, juicy shrimp cutlets, and crunchy cabbage; no extraneous ingredients are included. The flavor pairings of the slightly sweet "koppepan" rolls and saltier fillings are irresistible, and that, along with the reasonable prices and endearing shop exterior, make it obvious as to why this shop is beloved by so many people.

Inoue Seipan

Inoue Seipan is a bakery with a 70-year long history, located close to the Sanjusangendo and the Kyoto National Museum. One glance at its stylish exterior makes it seem like a new bakery, but it has actually been loved by locals for many years. The current third-generation owner renovated the bakery after inheriting it from his father, who baked Japanese bread for many years. The bakery sells many different types of bread, from the nostalgic curry bread and cream buns his father made, to the son's more international creations like Caprese sandwiches. The meeting of two generations brings a smile to customers' faces, and with the reasonable prices that haven't changed for years, this shop is worth a visit for its both classic and modern types of bread.

LAND

An unassuming bakery situated close to the Kamo River, LAND is a place of relaxation for many Kyoto residents as well as a popular tourist spot. Although small, the shop is lined with a wide variety of treats including bagels, loaves of bread, donuts, quiches, and cream buns. With these creations, the owner carries on the flavors of "hohoemi", a now-closed bakery which had been adored by locals. The bagels have a nice weight to them, and the chewy dough offers a great texture. Mixed into the dough are black pepper, poppyseed, and a blend of spices including cinnamon, which together produce a distinctive flavor profile. The bakery is only a 1 minute walk from the Kamo River and has a bench for relaxing, so it is perfect for grabbing a coffee to-go and having a picnic on the riverbed.

bonne volonté

If you want wood-fired bread in Kyoto, this is the place to go. A large kiln can be seen through the window at first glance, which draws in regular customers as well as tourist passersby. Loaves of bread, croissants, cream buns, and many other types of bread stock the shop's shelves. The bakery subtly adjusts the different mixtures of flour for each bread, and the wood-fired kiln brings out the umami flavor within the dough to the maximum. The most popular items, the loaves of bread and baguettes, are proof of the impact a kiln has on even the simplest types of bread. The bakery also offers several treats bursting with originality, such as croissants decorated with orange slices and bread made from glutinous rice flour with nuts and spices kneaded into the dough.

pan nochi hare

This bakery is located in a non-touristy area, close to Keibunsha, Kyoto's most popular bookstore, and the Kyoto University of Art and Design. The couple that runs the bakery created a homely atmosphere which has made it popular with the locals since its opening. Both children and adults love the assortment of goodies on stock, which include curry bread stuffed with an egg, melon bread with ice cream, and croque-monsieur sandwiches made with fluffy bread. The bakery's most famous menu item is the picnic sandwich, a voluminous sandwich stuffed full of cabbage. The veggie-heavy sandwiches reflect the owners' consideration that customers should get enough vegetables. The owners take care of every detail and run their business according to the name of the bakery, which means "eat bread and be cheerful".

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