Japanese Sando - A Unique Culinary Creation

Mention Japanese cuisine - and images of white rice, grilled fish and miso soup tend to come to mind. But did you know that the Japanese are greatly enthusiastic about bread as well? Take for instance sandwiches. They took this Western concept and gave it a creative twist such that the sandwiches were imbued with a uniquely Japanese essence that sets them apart from their Western counterparts. In fact, they are given their own name - sandos. Now, let’s explore the heavenly deliciousness of sandos and the various kinds you can indulge in.

Distinctive Features Of Japanese Sandos

How do the Japanese give the Western-style sandwich an innovative twist? First, instead of ordinary bread, they use shokupan (Japanese milk bread), which boasts a delightful combination of more milk and butter. This gives sandos their soft, chewy and fluffy texture that gives your palate a wholesome lift and leaves you craving for more. Additionally, Japanese sandwiches make eating an exciting gourmet adventure by breaking free of the usual peanut butter and jam combinations found in Western-style sandwiches. Instead, they employ a wide range of fresh ingredients and seasonings to make yummy concoctions that stretch your imagination. Enjoy the taste of all these different ingredients blended in perfect harmony with relish!

Brief History Of The Sando

Tracing the origin of the Japanese word for bread, “pan”, sheds light on the intriguing evolution of sandos. The word “pan” finds its roots in the Portuguese word “pão”, dating back to the 16th century, in which Portuguese and Dutch trading ships landed in Nagasaki and introduced bread to the Japanese natives. However, Japan subsequently shut off its borders to the outside world, so the consumption of bread didn’t gain popularity.

The fate of Japanese bread changed dramatically for the better after World War II, when America occupied Japan. During that time, rice was a scarce resource. In order to feed the hungry citizens, entrepreneurial factories thus started to use wheat and imported powdered milk to make shokupan. Throughout the decades, the Japanese kept applying their ingenuity so that the shokupan evolved to become the foundation of the sando. Their ingenuity paid off, for now sando is so well-loved that it has become an integral part of the Japanese diet! 

How To Make Japanese Sandos

To craft exquisite Japanese sandos, having a good knife is essential. It lets you trim the crusts from the shokupan precisely, thus yielding you a magnificent melt-in-your-mouth taste that is irresistible. Next, use the knife to cut the shokupan into evenly shaped rectangular or square pieces. Be careful not to apply too much pressure on the knife to prevent the delicate shokupan from being squished. Finally, the most exciting part of all - assembling the sandos. Take two slices of bread and place your preferred ingredients to go between them.. The sky's the limit here, so use fillings that will excite your tastebuds and leave you stuffed to the brim! 

Dazzling Variety

Japanese sandos can be found in a wide array of places - from the humble convenience store to upscale fine eateries. There are many different types of sandos to cater to varied palates, but here are some popular sandos you should not miss, including fruit sandos, katsu (breaded fried food) sandos and tuna egg sandos. Have a jolly good time sampling all these gourmet goodies during your trip! 

1. Fruit Sandos - Enticing Mix Of Fruits And Shokupan 

Fruit lovers will love the opportunity to indulge themselves in yummy fruit sandos. They don’t just provide you with minerals and vitamins necessary to promote good health, but double up as a visual feast for the eyes. They typically consist of sweet and succulent seasonal fruits like strawberries, kiwis, oranges and grapes. What makes eating them even more enjoyable is the luscious whipped cream topping, which delivers a deeply savory and comforting taste. Perfect for eating on the go or as a fine accompaniment to your meal, they add extra oomph to your dining experience.

When it comes to fruit sandos, you won’t go wrong with Sembikiya, one of Japan’s most established fruit stores. Since it was founded in 1834, you can be sure that it has accumulated much invaluable experience in making fruit sandos. In addition, its network of 17 stores mostly concentrated in Tokyo and Yokohama ensures that you can partake in its premium and high-quality fruit sandwiches easily!

2. Katsu Sando - Savor Deep-fried Goodness

Keen to devor a crispy and crunchy sando? Katsu sando is a delectable delight you must try. Japanese chefs like to use panko breadcrumbs for breading their pork cutlets. Since panko breadcrumbs don’t absorb as much oil as regular ones, you will be treated to katsu sandos that boast a firmer texture and better flavor. Add to it green cabbages, tangy katsu sauce and Dijon mustard - and you will have a meal that delivers a balance of flavour, texture, and aesthetics.

Maisen is a fantastic choice for sampling katsu sando. For one, it has acquired a stellar reputation for its juicy hire (“lean”) katsu sando, which is surprisingly so tender that you can cut the pork cutlet with your chopsticks! It also has outlets in 17 prefectures, including the dynamic cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, so it’s convenient to fit its gastronomic offering into your itinerary.

3. Tamago Sando - The Ultimate Comfort Food

When a culinary giant like Anthony Bourdain raved about tamago sando on his Twitter page, you know that you should include this egg salad sandwich on your list of delicacies to eat in Japan. And no wonder. Creamy egg fillings are lovingly seasoned with mayonnaise, salt and pepper as well as sandwiched between soft and pillowy shokupan, thus making it a light, uncomplicated yet flavorful comfort food. Be sure to try tamago sando, for your discerning tastebuds will thank you for it. After all, Anthony Bourdain lauded it as an example of “inexplicable deliciousness”!

Being ubiquitous, tamago sandos are easily available at convenience stores and supermarkets all over Japan. Nonetheless, if you wish to indulge in something different and artisanal, you should  try the egg salad sandwiches offered by Amanoya. Hailing from Osaka, it features a special Kansai-style omelette filling that is sure to leave a lasting impression on your tastebuds. Its store located in Azabujuban, Tokyo is no stranger to long queues.

4. Vegetable Sandos - Champion Flavorsome And Wholesome Eating

Travelers who lead a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle do not have to fret about  finding sandos that are aligned with their dietary practices. Introducing to you the vegetable sando. Chock-full of nutritious vegetables like sun-kissed tomatoes, cool cucumbers and leafy cabbages, these healthy sandwiches entice your taste buds as they ooze with savory goodness. Indeed, they warm your body and soul with their nourishing qualities. 

To have an ample fill of vegetable sandos, make your way to Hamanoya Parlour that is located near JR Yurakucho Station. Exuding a retro ambiance that transports one back to the 1960s, this chic cafe offers vegetable sandos that brim with the mellow richness of umami flavors. Plus, the staff are said to be generous with the portions, so the vegetable sandos are ideal for you to take it easy and bond with your travel companions.

5. Ham Sando - Lip-smackingly Savory Japanese Sandwiches

Sometimes you just want to have a simple, no-frills sandwich. In that case, the ham sando fits the bill perfectly. Sink into sweet comfort with tender ham and crunchy cucumbers delightfully flavored with creamy mayonnaise. For those of you seeking an extra kick of flavor, try to find ham sandos that contain horseradish. The inclusion of horseradish introduces a multi-dimensional taste that packs a punch, bringing the excitement of the ham sando to new heights!

Komeda’s Coffee is an absolute gem to indulge in delectable ham sandos. Hailing from Nagoya, it has made a name for itself and now has outlets all over Japan, including the bustling cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. So, you should be able to incorporate a visit into your itinerary easily. Feast on salted roast ham seasoned with spicy mustard and creamy mayonnaise - a balancing act of opposing favors meant to be savored. Pair your ham sando with a cup of coffee, kick back and enjoy this moment of bliss.

6. Tuna Egg Sando - Celebrating The Bounty Of The Ocean

Japan is known for its fresh ocean-to-table fishes, so what better way to savor the essence of the sea than to tuck into a tuna egg sando? It boasts a sublime harmony of mouthwatering tuna and soft eggs, delicately seasoned with mayonnaise and a sprinkle of black pepper. Enjoy the subtle sweetness of the tuna egg sando and marvel at how the different flavors elegantly blend together.

Head over to Centre the Bakery in Ginza, Tokyo if you are keen to savor luscious tuna egg sandos. They are not just known for employing premium quality shokupan and tuna; they also enable you to toast the bread yourself. This would be an unforgettable experience for gourmet enthusiasts who are eager to acquire hands-on experience in making your own sandwiches!

7. Mixed Sando - All The Goodness In One Package 

What’s not to love about a Japanese sando that will let you savor several kinds of sandos at once? Mixed sandos aim to broaden your culinary horizons as they combine three different types of sandos in one fantabulous package. Within this delightful ensemble, you will find the comforting tamago sando, the hearty tuna salad sando, and the classic ham and cheese sando with lettuce. Gourmands will be enthralled by the myriad textures and flavors on showcase. 

A charming place that beckons you to enjoy tasty mixed sandos is Coffee Seibu, a quaint cafe built way back in 1964. Conveniently located near JR Shinjuku Station, it gives you the exclusive opportunity to dig into delicious mixed sandos in the midst of a nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of a bygone era. You’ll really get a profound appreciation of how the owners dedicate themselves to using traditional culinary techniques to make this culinary masterpiece.

Let’s Embrace Japanese Sandos

The Japanese has truly transformed the humble sandwich into a wickedly yummy art form. Experts at marrying shokupan with a plethora of interesting and colorful ingredients, they dedicate themselves to creating innovative sandos that will enchant even the most jaded palate. Hence, when you’re in Japan, don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of sandos and eat them to your heart’s content!