Waraji Bakery

Savoury breads often bring vegetables finely chopped and blended into a sauce. At 草鞋ベーカリー in Asagaya-kita, the vegetables themselves take centre stage, with their fresh taste and texture intact. One standout is the 15-vegetable spicy curry bun, which has earned a following. Rather than a smooth, paste-like filling, it is packed with chunky onion and carrot, along with lotus root and beans. Spices bring a kick, while the vegetables’ natural sweetness and firm bite come through in every mouthful.

The combinations of vegetables on display are varied, too. One popular choice pairs thick-cut zucchini, still crisp, with mentaiko and cheese; some customers time their purchases to catch a fresh batch from the oven. Other vegetable-led options include Asparagus Nejineji, with cheese wrapped around extra-thick asparagus; Shiitake Samurai, a branded shiitake mushroom from Tokushima, roasted to bring out its savoury flavour; and turnip with béchamel, brightened by a sharp touch of yuzu kosho.

There are choices beyond savoury breads, too: a honey-butter-style bread with chunky sweet potato and a sweet-salty richness, as well as the more unexpected shiso rustic bread, fragrant with shiso, sesame and Parmigiano. There is plenty of variety to make choosing part of the pleasure. Reviewers say a brief reheat in a toaster brings out the bread’s toasted aroma and the flavours of the olive oil and fillings, making for a satisfying meal.

The shop is compact, with a takeout-style setup where customers choose their breads and place them on a tray. Payment is accepted in cash, by credit card and through cashless options such as PayPay. Many breads change with the seasons, so a visit offers the chance to try the vegetables in season that day—an encounter that may not come around again.