On A Shokupan Hunt

Ever since Fine Dining Bakery Mhd Sultan Road suddenly closed down (without prior warning) after a decade or so in business, I have been on a shokupan hunt. There're a few bakeries that do it, but not quite to Fine Dining Bakery's standards. They're generally okay. Every bakery would have a slight tweak to its ratios. I just need to find one that I like. 

Currently I've only found Paaru's iteration that pleases my tastebuds. However, they have only just brought it back and I don't know if it's a regular feature on pre-orders, with collection day pegged to Fridays between 10am to 5pm. I don't mind putting in pre-orders but it would be more convenient to have those loaves done daily and simply on the shelves. 

195 Pearl's Hill Terrace is really quite painful to get to if you're driving because of how the road up to the hill and its carpark are designed. It's a nightmare to attend events there. Don't bother driving. I'd have to pop by early to collect the loaves if I don't want any angst with drivers parking there.

If I have the dog with me, then I can't even have brunch or lunch there since there isn't an outdoor table or even chairs. There's a bench to wait at. and I can probably do coffee. BUT, the area is crawling with mosquitos and the air is deathly still, and humid. Not ideal. Collected loaves that day — for myself and for the friends. So at least that trip is worth it, and I wasn't too bothered by the swarming mosquitos. 

I politely requested for the whole loaves to be sliced up. They do it thickly into six slices. That worked nicely. So if you need your loaves sliced, don't go between noon to 2pm, they're flooded with the lunch crowd. Pick up your loaves at an off-peak timing and nobody would feel hassled.

One could have a slice of shokupan in so many ways. The man loves to have it with otah and butter. To me, one of the best ways is to have it is when freshly baked, with seriously excellent butter. An egg done in any way, is optional. Absolutely satisfying.