kepo bagels

Yesterday, Satoshi had a dentist appointment, so afterwards as we were walking to the train station, I noticed this bagel shop, Kepo Bagels

Apparently this brand started back in 2008 in the Kamikitazawa area of Tokyo

The owner enjoys chewy foods so she makes NY style as well as Japanese style bagels 

I bought the plain (210 yen (tax included) and fermented butter (440 yen (tax included) bagels for us to try....

please label them...I couldn't tell them apart!

upon opening each package, I realized the "oily" one was the butter

We only ate the butter one and it could have been more chewy

I have the plain one in the freezer and look forward to trying this one

Not sure I'll be back, but am glad we got to try these

Kepo Bagels

2-25-1 Senzoku

Meguro, Tokyo

Closed: Wednesdays

Hours: 8:00-17:00

söpö bagel

Yesterday Satoshi met up with his tour guide friends, so I went on my own adventure to Musashi Koyama

I went to check out Söpö Bagel.

Söpö means “cute” in Finnish. 

I’m glad I knew this before I went because their bagels were “cute” 

I purchased their walnut fig and their bacon cheese (left), both were 270 yen (tax included) each

Their sizing was uneven, I don’t think they really weigh while making these because the bagels were all different sizes 

When I chose, I tried to take the largest ones, still I think they were about 3 inches wide?!

The walnut fig was a bit disappointing, not much walnuts or dried figs.

Since I stuck the bacon cheese bagel into the freezer, I hope it won't disappoint when I do eat it.

Still, I'm glad I tried them, won't be back though.

Söpö Bagel

5-14-14 Megurohoncho

Meguro, Tokyo

Open 8:30-17:00

bob bagel

Monday, I went to check out a new (to me) bagel shop, Bob Bagel.

I walked from JR Shinagawa to the Kita Shinagawa Shopping Arcade

checking out all the interesting buildings along the way

the last time I was in this area was pre-pandemic, shortly after we moved to Tokyo

Bob Bagel opened in 2022

The owner trained at a popular bakery in Okinawa called Munakatado.

I purchased their maguro sandwich (half)..700 yen (tax included)

Chocolate Butter (half)..650 yen (tax included)

scones...300 yen (tax included) each

Kokuto bagel (black sugar)...320 yen (tax included)

The maguro...everything bagel, scallion cream cheese, capers, red onion, avocado and local fished maguro

So good! filled with thick pieces of fish and a nice amount of avocado

loved the chewy bagel too

Chocolate butter is a seasonal sandwich.

Kokuto (black sugar) cacao pink pepper bagel, thick slab of homemade chocolate with fruits and nuts in it, thin slab of butter and a schmear of iyokan (type of citrus) jam

Decadant!

I'm glad I tried these and that they had half sizes.

We tried the scones this morning! so buttery.

Look forward to trying their kokuto bagel which I've put into the freezer.

I'll be back

Bob Bagel

2-9-22 Kitashinagawa

Shinagawa, Tokyo

Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Hours: 11:00-17:30

10819

In business since 1918, Matsushimaya is known for their mame daifuku.

Apparently they are super popular and rated one of the top 3 mame daifuku shops in Tokyo...there is always a line and they can sometimes sell out soon after opening...

When I arrived to queue up, it was 10 minutes before opening and I was 30 something in line.

I purchased their mamedaifuku (black bean), kibidaifuku (millet) and kusadaifuku (yomogi/mugwort)...each are 200 yen (tax included).

These were filled to the gills with sweet bean paste.

Not too sweet, these were perfect with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Then I walked a couple more blocks to Maruichi Bagels.

Their bagels are similar to NY Ess-a-bagels.

There are some blogs that say Maruichi imports their bagel dough from Ess-a-bagel, but Maruichi's website says that their bagels are similar to Ess-a-bagels but not from them.

Left to right: 7 grain honey, 7 grain honey fig, plain and everything (1440 yen tax included for the four).

These were warm when I purchased them.

Super hefty and  dense, I put all of these into the freezer and look forward to trying them.

The weather was beautiful...can you see Tokyo Tower in between the buildings?!

Kinmokusei (sweet olive) is in the air, though it was still quite blazing during the day.

10819 steps...It was nice to get out and about.

Will come back to this area again, so much more to explore.

Matsushimaya

1-5-25 Takanawa

Minato, Tokyo

Phone: 03.3441.0539

Closed Sundays & Mondays

Hours: 9:30-15:00 : earlier if they sell out

Maruichi Bagel

1-15-22 Shirokane

Minato, Tokyo

Phone: n/a

Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Hours: 7:00-15:00 : earlier if they sell out

shibuya

Friday, I went to Shibuya.

My first stop was to buy some bagels from Tecona Bagel Works.

The shop is teeny and they only allow 4 people in at one time.

I purchased a salted butter bagel and a cheese with szechuan pepper bagel.

I also purchased their carrot cake.

(Since Satoshi went out for drinks Friday night, I had the szechuan cheese bagel with wine.

The numbing pepper didn’t match too well with wine but overall was tasty after I toasted it.

The carrot cake was more like carrot bread and was moist and delicious.)

(We enjoyed the salted butter bagel the next morning toasted with avocado and everything seasoning)

From Tecona, I walked back to Shibuya to have lunch at Usagi.

During the pandemic, they moved from their original space to a smaller space.

I thought the original space had so much character with all the vines growing on the outside of the building. (this is a photo of the original space)

After being seated I had to use a QR code to order…I had thought they had taco rice on their Friday lunch menu but didn’t, so I ended up choosing their roast beef bowl…and then I waited almost 30 minutes for my lunch to come out!

Bummed that the roast beef wasn’t sliced thin, it wasn’t tender AND it was ice cold!

um, if you just had to take it out of the refridge, I think I could have been served sooner…

The shop is popular for avocado, you can add it at no extra cost to almost any meal…so I did.

I think their menu has changed during the pandemic because a lot of items I had previously seen on their website is no longer there...

Not sure I’ll be back but I’m glad I tried this place.

After lunch I went to check out Miyashita Park which opened last year.

4 story shopping complex, restaurants and a large park on the roof that runs alongside of the Yamanote train line.

Beside the park, there is also a beach volleyball court, skateboard area and rock climbing area.

It’s also a great place to sit and chat (I think the arches are used to run tarp over during rain.)

13181…the weather has been great.

Usagi

2-14-15 Shibuya

Shibuya, Tokyo

Phone: 03.5778.3200

Hours: 11:30-16:00 (lunch), 18:00-22:30 (dinner)

tecona bagel works

Back in October I went to Yoyogi to check out a bagel shop, but since I didn't check their website, the day that I went, they were closed....well, I finally went to check them out today.

From Shibuya it is about a 20 minute walk.

Their shop is so teeny!

Just four or five of us in there was a major congested mess! with a massive line outside.

They have 3 types of bagels....fuka (which are soft, "fluffy" types), mochi (which are chewy types) and mugyu (which are really dense types).

I picked up mostly mochi & mugyu types.

Bacon olive and basil sandwich...this was delicious with a big slather of basil cream cheese.

Chocolate nut scone...this was filled with so much nuts, seeds and chocolate (love!).

Chestnut...this had a whole chestnut in it and a cinnamon sugar topping...delicious!

Onion and cream cheese...caramelized onion and cream cheese...topped with some shredded cheese on top...mmm!

Smoked cheese and pepper...I put this one into the freezer, so I don't know how it tastes, but I am pretty sure it will be delicious!

I hope to go back after the New Year to try more items.

Oh, this shop only takes cash...they ask you to bring your own bag (or buy one of their cloth bags) and check their Instagram account for detailed days off (they sometimes have last minute closings).

Mother Nature has been slapping us around...cold one day, really warm the next....rain most days, sun very rare.

There are Christmas decorations all around, they are even playing Christmas music in the shopping arcades AND they are already advertising for ehomaki (February)!

Most people will be on vacation from the 28th, we will probably go to visit MIL, though we haven't decided what days yet.

Hope you are enjoying the Holiday season! Have a nice weekend.

Tecona Bagel Works
1-51-12 Tomigaya
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6416.8122
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Hours: 11:00-18:30 (or until sold out)
*cash only, bring your own bag
check their Instagram for detailed days off

guru guru bagel

Just found out that Guru Guru Bagel, closed up shop in early August for good because the owner/baker is ill.

Hope she will be okay.

guru guru bagel

We recently tried their Osatsu Keema Curry (spicy keema curry with bits of sweet potato) and Kamata (yomogi (mugwort) with sweet bean paste and cream cheese).

The bagels have a nice chew and are filled with a good ratio.

I don't think Guru Guru Bagel is related to Guru Guru Bakery.

They are also close to the JR Kamata station, so whenever I am near, I plan to pick some up.

We'll be back.

Guru Guru Bagel (UPDATE: closed 8/2018)
5-13-32 Nishi Kamata
Ota, Tokyo
Phone: 03.5711.0581
Closed Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays
Hours: 12:00-19:00 (earlier if they sell out)

happy camper bagel

Recently, we tried the bagel dog, which uses an Okinawan made sausage...nice snap!

And the onion cheese bagel, which was our fave because of the crispy cheese on top and sweet bits of onion worked into the dough.

This morning I had the chocolate bagel...with some cream cheese.

It is topped with some brown sugar (totally unnecessary!)

Toasted the chocolate chips get all melty, there are also some dried cranberries here and there.

Definitely a "happy camper"...

goodbye february, hello march

How are you?

I'm doing fine. Had a lot of "me" time the past couple of days. Satoshi went to help out his baseball alumni with a baseball event, so he's been in Himeji.

Friday, I went to Happy Camper Bagel and picked up some bagels.

I didn't realize they also made an-bagels. Their version of anpan uses a walnut bagel dough filled with chunky sweet bean paste.

This was good toasted.

Saturday, the weather was sunny-ish with some clouds.

I checked out Suigetsu Park and more ume were in bloom.

Today, we have rain. It seems like every 3 days or so we have rain...

Am looking forward to spending time with various family members and friends coming to Japan this month.

Have a nice week, talk to you again soon.

happy camper bagel

I had been buying bagels from Painduce, and then they stopped making them....boo!

I had also been buying bagels whenever I shopped at Seijo Ishii...

And then I found out about Happy Camper Bagel...don't you love the name?!

Apparently they've been around since 2013. Everyday they have 10-12 different flavors.

I bought 4 different ones to try.

Pecan cinnamon, this had a nice glaze and lots of pecan bits in the bagel.

Black bean & black sesame, the black beans are sweetened and are quite large, the beans were nicely distributed in the bagel.

Berry berry berry, this one was disappointing. With a name with that many berries in it you would imagine it having lots of different berries...nope I only noticed a few cranberries.

Fig & hazelnut, this bagel had large dried fig pieces in the bagel and just a sprinkle of thinly sliced hazelnuts on top.

I love the chewiness of these bagels and want to try some of the other flavors, I'll be back!

Happy Camper Bagel
3-7-24 Tenjinbashi (inside the Tenjinbashi shopping arcade)
Kita-ku, Osaka
Phone: 06.6358.1522
Hours: 10:00-17:30 (sometimes earlier if they sell out)
Closed Sundays

4th street bagel

Around the block from Boulangerie P & B is 4th Street Bagel.

This shop is a cafe but has a little corner where you can buy their bagels.

I popped in to pick up some of their bagels to try.

They didn't have many varieties, maybe it was the timing (lunch time)?

Anyway, I got their black sesame 140 yen (about US$1.40) and their plain 130 yen (about US$1.30).

Their bagels are uniform in size and "thinner" than P & B.

Taste-wise, they taste like most bagels I've eaten and because they are "thinner", the outside gets crisp while the inside stays chewy. (P & B's bagels are chewy but maybe too thick to get crisp on the outside??)

Price-wise, they are cheaper than P & B.

The next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely stop by to pick up more.

4th Street Bagel
2-6-2 Kitahorie
Nishi-ku, Osaka
Phone: 06.6536.2504
Open 8:00-18:30
Closed on Sundays

boulangerie p & b

Awhile back, my friend Kazumi shared a black sesame seed bagel with me.

She didn't know what the name of the bakery was, but she knew where they were located, so the last time we got together for lunch, she took me there.

Unfortunately, by the time we got there (about 15:30), they were sold out for the day.

So, after French class last Tuesday, I caught the subway to Nishiohashi and went to check out Boulangerie P & B.

This tiny, tiny bakery is run by a young couple. The place is so small that when you walk in the door, you are already up against their counter.

Arriving at noon (about 1 hour after their opening time), they had already sold out of their baguette.

I think their items are popular and quantities very (VERY) limited.

I had wanted "pairs" of bagels, but they didn't have any (though I should have asked), so I bought 1 black sesame bagel 200 yen (about US$2), 1 blueberry bagel 150 yen (about US$1.50) & 1 bagel dog 300 yen (about US$3).

The bagel dog is only about 5 inches long, the sausage inside is very thick. The casing of the sausage has a nice snap and there are spices in it that make it quite spicy, leaving a slow burn on and around your mouth. The bagel is nice and chewy.

When I purchased it I thought it might need some type of condiment, but it didn't. The sausage is very flavorful, if not a bit too salty. I would definitely get this again.

The next morning, I was surprised when I sliced the blueberry bagel in half and some cream cheese fell out.

The sesame bagel was smaller but was packed with lots of black sesame seeds.

Both were very good. I liked the nuttiness and chewiness of the black sesame, while Satoshi liked the softer texture of the blueberry bagel.

I wouldn't mind going back to get more bagels and maybe to try some of their other baked items.

Boulangerie P & B
2-6-15 Kitahorie WIN Building 1F
Nishi-ku, Osaka
Phone: 06.6534.2601
Closed Sundays & Mondays
Tuesdays-Fridays: 11:00-18:30 (or until they are sold out)
Saturdays: 11:15-16:00 (or until they are sold out)

sweets

Spring also brings a variety of sweets too. During this season, you can find strawberry flavored items as well as sakura (cherry blossom) flavored items....I have been leaning more towards the sakura flavored ones.

Sakura chiffon cake 420 yen (about US$4.20) from Starbucks, this had more of an American (bold) cherry flavor rather than the delicate cherry flavor that you find in Japanese confections...an expensive disappointment.

Not a sweet, but this tiny bagel was from Comme Chinois, I loved this size. I bought a chocolate bagel and a multi-grain.

From Mochi Cream, the raspberry millefeuille...custard, raspberry coulis and crunch from wafers...this one was my favorite.

Also from Mochi Cream, the caramel pudding. Liquidy bitter caramel and sweet custard...delicious. (doesn't it looks like lips puckering?)

Sakura mochi...this is the Kanto (East Japan) style. A thin crepe-like outside wraps some sweet bean paste. The whole thing is then wrapped with a sakura leaf (cherry leaf) that has been soaked in salt water.

From Ferdinand, their sakura mochi anpan, a whole sakura mochi Kansai (West Japan) style is tucked inside a steamed bun. Kansai style sakura mochi is sweet bean paste and a bumpy gelatinous outside made from Domyoji-ko.

Domyoji-ko is steamed mochi rice which is then dried. I think it looks like coarse sugar when it is dried and I think it is then re-constituted when it is used to make sakura mochi. Sakura mochi has a salty and sweet flavor---salty from the sakura (cherry blossoms and leaves) which are soaked in a salt water mixture, sweet from the sweet bean paste.

Chikujian's sakura daifuku. White sweet bean paste flavored with seasoned sakura leaves, wrapped with a soft mochi (rice cake)...again the sweet and salty combination is out of this world.