Hello there! This is Haneda, your guide for today. I stumbled upon a delightful spot for sweet takeouts in Kumamoto City’s Chuo Ward, called “Agepanya”. It is located in front of Suizenji station (JR line). And actually, it is in the know.  Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Let’s check out what this place is all about!

Getting to know “Agepanya”

Just a minute from the north exit of JR Suizenji Station, I found this hidden spot. It’s in a quiet residential area.

“Agepanya” is run out of a silver vintage truck. Its rustic sign like a blackboard will catch your attention. The sign reads “Agepanya”. “Agepan （揚げパン）”, or sweet deep-fried bread, is very familiar to almost all of Japanese, for it is one of the popular dishes on school lunch menus. It is round, fluffy and soft. It’s often sprinkled with sugar and soybean powder, making it irresistible to Japanese elementary school students. “-ya” in the end of its name means “a shop”. So its name literally says “Sweet Deep-Fried Bread Shop”. Yes!! This is the bakery where you can buy deep-fried breads! Once you try “Agepan”, maybe you will become a big fan of it.

All of their deep-fried bread is made by the owner and his wife. They start preparing their bread dough in the morning. It opens up at 10:30 AM and keeps going until they sell out all their delicious bread.

Four Delicious Types of Deep-Fried Bread (Agepan)!! Each for Just 100 yen!

They offer four flavors: Canesugar, Kinako, Cinnamon, and Garlic. Unable to resist my curiosity and decide which one to buy, I bought all of them. You can get each one for just 100 yen! Very easy to buy, isn’t it?

Their breads are ready to be muched on when you get them.

Fluffy and Soft! Diving into  the Taste of their Fried Bread!

Now, let’s dig in!! Their appearance is triangular and deep-fried perfectly.

The Kinako, the most popular one according to the owner, makes us reflect on our school days. It has its own nostalgic sweetness. The Cane Sugar offers a gentler nostalgic sweetness, while the Cinnamon makes us fulfill with its aromatic flavor. You must pair the Garlic with some wine and cheese.

Breaking it apart, you will find its exterior is light and fluffy while its inside is soft and pleasantly chewy. Despite its softness, each of them makes us enough (at least for me in the middle age)!! But each of them has its unique charm. You can grab it just for 100 yen. Why not get there and try each of them. You must find your favorite flavor! Even if you have no time to eat them right away, you can enjoy them to pop them in your toaster.

Summary

Since its opening in February 2009, ‘Agepanya’ has held a small but special place in the hearts of locals and nearby high school students alike. They are often sold out by afternoon. So get there early to grab your share!

Agepanya