Melon Bread - Japanese Encyclopedia

Melon bread (melon pan) is a type of sweet bread from Japan. It has been around since the last couple of decades, and is very familiar to Japanese people.

Melon bread is made from dough covered with a thin layer of sweet and crisp cookie dough. But, it is originally not melon-flavored.

It's often said that the name, ''melon'', originated from its appearance. The bread resembles a round-shaped melon and its outer layer (cookie dough) has netted skin with deep grooves just like a muskmelon.

The crispy and sweet layer make it a popular treat for all generations. Also, it is available in convenience stores and supermarkets.

A Different Kind of Melon Bread

As mentioned earlier, melon bread is not traditionally melon-flavored. But in recent times, a version of melon bread filled with 'real' melon-flavored cream is available. Also, there are different flavors such as, chocolate chip and matcha (Japanese green tea), just to name a few. Even more options are available, even though they are all called melon bread.

What's more, melon bread in different shapes is also available in different regions. For instance, there's cylindrical, elongated melon bread; there's melon bread shaped like cacao beans.

When melon bread was created, "melon" referred mainly to the elliptical Korean melon (a subspecies of melon). Therefore, elliptical-shaped melon bread is a vestige of the old days and actually has a longer history than the current round-shaped ones.

Japanese people have created their own original melon bread evolving from western bread. Please explore Japanese culture by digging into some melon bread!
All pictures from PIXTA