Pankichi

At Pankichi in Kyodo, Setagaya, homemade yeast and carefully selected ingredients take centre stage. The bakery uses as little salt as possible to let the dough’s natural flavour come through. The breads are small but substantial, with a chewy texture that releases a straightforward, savoury flavour as you bite into it. A favourite is the yudane bagel, made using a scalded-flour method. Alongside the classic black-sesame version, you’ll find flavours such as matcha, sugar and peanut, each offering its own blend of toastiness and texture.

There is plenty to explore beyond the bagels, too. The fermented-butter shokupan is soft and fragrant when eaten on the day it is made; other options include an epi filled with aromatic additive-free bacon and milk bread sandwiched with rich, creamy condensed-milk filling. The selection ranges from soft to crusty breads. Baked treats include black-sesame, brown-sugar and chestnut bread that brings out the chestnuts’ sweetness, scones with organic chocolate and nuts, and light chiffon cake—tempting choices for breakfast or a snack.

The shop is small, and most customers buy their bread to take away. It is generally open on Thursdays from 12:00 to 18:00, and accepts electronic payments. Sales by reservation and event appearances may take place on some days, so check the latest schedule before setting out.