Like myself, many may not know the name, but instead recognize their cute Japanese buns. What started off at farmer’s markets and completing orders in commissary kitchens had now blossomed into its own bakery/cafe.
They are best known for their animal buns sold in colourful pairs, often filled with sweet creams and pastes. My first taste was at a Japanese market Popup. When I saw these buns for the first time, I had to get them. I didn’t even ask what they tasted like, and I didn’t even knew that they had a filling until I bit in.
With the brick and mortar store front they now sell more than a handful of baked goods and sweets, even expanding to full meals like their shrimp katsu burger, Japanese ground beef curry over rice, and soups and sandwiches of the day.
But their fame really lies in their bakery concepts. They advertise that their specialty is the melonpan. As far as I can recall, Kanadell was one of the first to introduce this Japanese bun to the lower mainland. As per Wikipedia, “melonpan is a type of sweet bun originating from and popular in Japan, as well as in Taiwan and China. They are made from an enriched dough covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie dough. Their appearance resembles a melon, such as a rock melon”.
I immediately associate these with the Chinese pineapple bun. The pineapple bun is also named after a fruit for its appearance, and too has a thin layer of crisp cookie dough that has it appearing like its namesake fruit; because it sure doesn’t taste like one.
Kanadell offers this traditional treat in a collection of flavours and colours. Not being a huge fan of sweet treats, I went for the Hojicha. According to Wikipedia, “ Hōjicha is a Japanese green tea. It is distinctive from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal. It is roasted at 150° C to prevent oxidation and produce a light golden colour, as opposed to other Japanese teas which are steamed.” You don’t get much tea flavour from the bun and it isn’t very sweet, mostly doughy. It feels like it needs to be made into a sandwich, as I would not eat it as is.
I prefer their savoury baked buns like the takoyaki bun. Think Chinese-style, baked cocktail buns topped with octopus balls accompanied by all the sauce, seasonings, and fixings. I just wish there was a more even ball to bread ratio, as you are left with plain glazed edges after you work your way through to the middle. And like the Chinese cocktail buns, Kanadell also does a Hot Dog bun and a corn bun in a similar fashion.
I am a fan of Japanese curry so had to grab one of their curry buns, that I ended up linking. Take sweet Japanese curry and stuff it into a doughy bun that is then all deep fried. With the breaded fry it gives you the sensation of having katsu with your curry. A nice portable way to have your curry on the go.
And I couldn’t leave without grabbing a couple of their animal buns. The chicks have a thin layer of cream and the teddies, chocolate. Okay as is, but better made into sandwiches with cheese and ham. The sweetness of the bread and the filling does well to contrast the salty ingredients I used in this dressed up Italian ham and cheese with sun dried tomatoes.
I do suggest eating majority of their offerings fresh for the best experience. Plus they recommend not putting any of it in the fridge, freezer if you have to. As I failed to do so and given the harder texture as a result, the above is sound advice that should be followed.+
The above is only but a fraction of what they offer in house. I limited myself to a handful of baked good I found most interesting and want to try. So visit and explore the rest for yourself. Kanadell is a fun spot to get some Japanese treats, while supporting local and trying something new and different.
Kanadell Bakery
3596 East Hasting Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V5K 2A7
(604) 423-5969
kanadell.com
