Born and raised in Kyoto — one of Japan's top cities for bread consumption — writer Miyako has visited over 200 bakeries across the country. Her latest obsession? The soul food of Sapporo: chikuwa-pan from Donguri, a beloved local institution that's been baking since 1983. While Kyoto's bakeries dazzle with artisan sourdoughs and delicate pastries, sometimes you just crave the honest, comforting warmth of an okazu-pan — a savoury bread that tastes like a home-cooked meal. Donguri delivers exactly that, and thanks to their online shop, it can now arrive at your doorstep anywhere in Japan.

The Mottainai Set: Fighting Food Waste, One Bread at a Time

Donguri's signature offering is the Mottainai Set (18 pieces, ¥3,800) — a brilliantly simple SDGs initiative. To ensure shelves are always full of fresh bread right up until closing time, some loaves inevitably go unsold. Rather than discarding them, Donguri flash-freezes these perfectly good breads and sells them online as an assorted mystery box. Each shipment includes at least one of their legendary chikuwa-pan (a fluffy roll stuffed with fish sausage and tuna-mayo), plus a rotating cast of cinnamon rolls, fruit-and-cheese sourdough, and seasonal specials. Opening the chilled box — 18 individually wrapped breads, each with ingredient labels and a detailed reheating guide — feels like unwrapping a treasure chest from Hokkaido.

The Tasting: Three Standouts

Chikuwa-Pan: The bakery's namesake. Simply microwave to warm through, then bite into a cloud-like sweet roll. Inside: a springy tube of chikuwa (fish sausage) concealing a molten core of tuna-mayo, punctuated by crisp onion. Every chew brings all the elements into perfect harmony.

Cinnamon Roll: No reheating needed — just let it thaw. The pillowy-soft dough is draped in icing that melts into every fold, while warm cinnamon spice and an almond-cream swirl mingle with toasted walnuts. The kind of afternoon treat that makes a tired day feel manageable.

Natural Yeast Half (Fruit & Cheese): This one rewards a quick toast. The crust crackles back to life; inside, a dense, chewy crumb is studded with raisins, cranberries and papaya, anchored by a generous slab of cream cheese. The interplay of tangy fruit and rich dairy evolves with every bite — perfect with a glass of wine or a leisurely breakfast.

Pro Tip: The Tea Pairing

Miyako's insider recommendation: chase the richness of the chikuwa-pan's tuna-mayo with a chilled glass of Kyoto-style hōjicha (roasted green tea). The toasty, clean bitterness cuts through the mayo and resets your palate beautifully for the next bite.

Store Information

Donguri Main Store
Address: 8-1-10 Tsukisamu-Higashi 4-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: 10-min walk from Nango 7-chome Station (Tozai Line)
Hours: 9:00–19:00 | Closed: Dec 31, Jan 1–2
Phone: 011-865-0006
Website: https://www.donguri-bake.co.jp/
Online Shop (Mottainai Set): ¥3,800 (tax incl., shipping extra) — https://donguribake.buyshop.jp/