Ippondo

A loaf packed with cheese or studded with raisins can bring a welcome change to breakfast or a teatime snack. Ippondo’s cheese bread is made with Japanese wheat, cheese and fermented butter, and is listed as available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some customers have remarked on the generous cheese and the abundance of raisins. The raisin loaf is made with raisins soaked in rum for more than a week, offering a distinctive alternative to everyday bread.

For a classic starting point, the Ippondo Plain loaf is described as having a crisp, fragrant crust and a soft, springy crumb; it can be enjoyed as it is or toasted. It is listed at 410 yen per loaf. The Japan Bread, priced at 490 yen, is another option for those keen to savour the aroma of Japanese wheat when toasted. The oil-free, less-sweet Pain de mie is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the bakery says toasting gives it a crisp outside and chewy centre. Even among plain breads, there is a choice of textures and ways to enjoy them.

For a sweeter loaf, or one suited to a particular meal, consider the cream bread made with Hokkaido cream and French fermented butter. Low-carbohydrate bread is listed on Thursdays and is described as containing soy as one of its ingredients, with around 50% less carbohydrate. One customer said they toasted it with butter and enjoyed it several days after buying it. Bread need not be eaten straight from the oven: at home, slice a loaf to your preferred thickness for breakfast or French toast.

There is no dine-in service; takeaway and delivery are available. One report mentions that the selection was running low in the late afternoon, so if you have a particular loaf in mind, checking its bake time or stock before setting out may help.