Finding real Japanese bread in London can be frustrating. Here are three places that actually get it right.
1. WA Cafe
Japanese patisserie with excellent bread and cakes
WA Cafe started in Ealing and has grown into one of London’s most popular Japanese patisseries. Their Japanese bakers produce everything on-site daily, including a range of sweet and savoury breads alongside their famous cakes.
The bread selection includes melon pan, anpan (red bean paste buns), matcha custard cream bread, and savoury options like curry doughnuts and ham-and-cheese topped breads. Their strawberry shortcake and matcha roll cake are particularly popular for celebrations, and you can order whole cakes through their website.
One thing to note: service can be inconsistent depending on which branch and which staff member you get. The Covent Garden branch especially gets crowded in afternoons with limited seating. If you’re planning to eat in, mornings are better.
Locations & Hours
Ealing (Original branch)
- Address: 32 Haven Green, London, W5 2NX
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 8:30–18:00, Sun & Bank Holidays 9:30–18:00
- Last order: 17:45
Covent Garden
- Address: 5 New Row, London, WC2N 4LH
- Hours: Mon–Sun & Bank Holidays 11:00–20:00
- Last order: 19:45
Marylebone
- Address: 6 Thayer Street, London, W1U 3JQ
- Hours: Mon–Sun 9:00–18:00
- Last order: 17:45
Aldgate East
- Address: 21 Commercial Street, London, E1 6NE
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat–Sun & Bank Holidays 10:00–20:00
- Last order: 19:45
Online ordering available via their website and Deliveroo.
What to Try
- Melon pan
- Matcha roll cake
- Strawberry shortcake
- Anpan (red bean bun)
- Katsu sando
Website: wacafe.co.uk
2. Happy Sky Bakery
Award-winning artisan bakery run by a Japanese master baker
Happy Sky is a small, independent bakery founded in 2007 by Motoko McNulty, an award-winning Japanese baker. The Times and TimeOut have both listed it among the best bakeries in London, and for good reason: Motoko is obsessive about quality, using traditional hand-kneading techniques and no preservatives.
Their signature item is the Tokyo Milk Loaf (shokupan), made using a high-temperature, deep fermentation technique that gives it a pillowy softness you won’t find in most London bakeries. It’s £11+ per loaf, which sounds steep until you taste it. This is the bread that high-end Japanese sandwich shops use.
Beyond shokupan, they make a rotating selection of Japanese breads: anpan, yakisoba pan, teriyaki chicken buns, ham & egg buns, and their popular “Biscuit Monster” series (essentially melon pan with various flavours like chocolate chip and matcha). They also do excellent yuzu custard doughnuts and matcha cinnamon rolls.
Be warned: this is a tiny operation with limited hours. The Askew Road shop opens only Friday to Saturday, and the Hanway Street shop (near Tottenham Court Road) is Thursday to Sunday. Items sell out quickly, especially the popular matcha mochi ribbon. Arrive early or be disappointed.
Locations & Hours
Askew Road (Shepherd’s Bush area)
- Address: 94 Askew Road, London, W12 9BL
- Hours: Fri 9:00–15:00, Sat 7:00–15:00
- Sun–Thu: Closed
- Nearest Tube: Stamford Brook
Hanway Street (Near Tottenham Court Road)
- Address: 40 Hanway Street, London, W1T 1UT
- Hours: Thu–Sun 11:00–16:00
- Mon–Wed: Closed
- Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
No seating at Hanway Street. Delivery available in Ealing/Acton area.
What to Try
- Tokyo Milk Loaf (shokupan) – their signature
- Matcha Mochi Ribbon
- Biscuit Monster (melon pan)
- Ham & egg bun
- Teriyaki chicken bun
- Yuzu custard doughnut
Website: happyskylondon.com
3. Kanazawa (Japanese Curry Bread)
The only proper deep-fried curry bread in London
Most “curry bread” in London is baked. That’s fine, but it’s not how it’s traditionally made in Japan. Kanazawa is one of the only places in London that does it properly: deep-fried, with a crispy breadcrumb coating and fluffy dough inside.
This is a Japanese-owned operation specialising exclusively in curry bread. All the dough is hand-kneaded and specifically formulated for deep frying, using the Tangzhong technique (a Japanese method involving a cooked flour paste) that keeps the bread moist and extends freshness. The curry filling is made with slow-cooked vegetables and minced beef in Japanese curry spices.
They offer several varieties: Original (beef katsu curry), Cheese, and Sausage. The bread is fried fresh in front of you at the market stall.
Important: This is a seasonal market stall, not a permanent shop. They’re at Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross) from April to December only, and closed January to March. Even during the season, they’re only open Thursday to Sunday. Items sell out, so don’t show up at closing time expecting a full selection.
If you can’t make it in person, they have an online shop with next-day delivery within Greater London. The bread comes in special freshness-preserving packaging from Japan.
Location & Hours
Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross)
- Address: Lower Stable Street Market, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross
- Hours: Thu–Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat–Sun & Bank Holidays 11:00–18:00
- Season: April to December ONLY
- January–March: Closed
Online Shop
- Delivery available Mon–Wed (next day option)
- Orders placed Thu–Sun dispatched following Monday
- Greater London postcodes only
What to Try
- Original Curry Bread (beef katsu curry)
- Cheese Curry Bread
- Sausage Curry Bread
Website: japanesecurrybreadkanazawa.com
Quick Comparison
| Bakery | Best For | Hours | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA Cafe | Cakes, variety, convenience | Daily | ££ |
| Happy Sky | Shokupan, artisan quality | Limited (Fri–Sun) | £££ |
| Kanazawa | Deep-fried curry bread | Limited (Apr–Dec) | ££ |
Information current as of February 2026. Hours and availability may change, especially for Happy Sky and Kanazawa which have limited schedules. Always check their websites or social media before visiting.
About the Author
Ayaka Uchida is a government-certified Japanese teacher and CEO of A-Digital Works Ltd, a London-based digital marketing and localization company. With over 10 years of experience in international business development across Japan, Singapore, the US, and Europe, she founded Nihon GO! World in 2023 to bridge global markets through language education and cultural consulting.