Paul Bocuse Bakery, Daimaru Tokyo Store
ポール·ボキューズ·ベーカリー 大丸東京店
Recent Reviews
I purchased cream bread, French toast-style bread, and cheese bread. The custard in the cream bread had a good egg flavor and was delicious. The French toast-style bread wasn't soaked all the way through, which was a bit disappointing, but it was surprisingly tasty. The flavor was good enough to overlook the lack of soaking. The cheese bread was great! I went specifically for the white cheese bread because I love cheese, and I was glad they had it. The cheese was less than I expected, but when I tore it into bite-sized pieces, there was actually a bit of cheese left at the end. This bakery was better than I imagined, so I'll definitely be back.
This bakery is located on the north side of the basement level of Daimaru, directly in front of the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station. The selection leans towards sweet and savory breads, with some baguettes and loaves of white bread as well. Prices start around ¥300, which is higher than your average neighborhood bakery, but relatively affordable for the Tokyo Station area. They use dough imported directly from France. The matcha and sweet chestnut pie I tried had a thin, crispy crust with a strong buttery aroma, perfectly complementing the moist, sweet matcha cream. The chestnuts were finely chopped, and I would have preferred larger pieces, but it was still good. The chocolate scone had a rich buttery flavor with a subtle wheat aroma, and a crumbly texture. The chocolate used was decent, but plentiful, making for a satisfying treat. Both were delicious and worth the price. They accept cash, cards, and QR code payments. There is no seating area. (As of September 2023)
We tried various takeout items, ranging in price from ¥194 to ¥464 (as of April 2023). Here's my personal ranking: 1. **Kiwami Nama Shio Pan (Ultimate Raw Salt Bread):** True to its name, the inside has a raw, almost doughy texture. The exterior is chewy and springy. While the large air pockets are a bit of a drawback, this salt bread is truly exceptional. 2. **Olive-infused Nama Boul:** This bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy. I love the olive flavor. 3. **White Cheese Bread:** This bread has a cheese fondue-like finish. As a cheese lover, I recommend warming it up in the microwave.
This is the Paul Bocuse bakery located on the food floor in the basement of Daimaru. It's right in front of the escalator, so you can find it easily. There are many bakeries in this area, including Paul Bocuse, Kimuraya, and Maison Kayser, but I think Paul Bocuse is the best overall in terms of price, volume, and taste. My family usually buys baguettes, campagne, and other breads instead of sweet bread, and they are all delicious. The cheese bread in the photo has a crispy exterior, a moist interior, and a rich cheese flavor. It was so delicious that I was impressed by the bread for the first time in a long time. The other photo shows a donut-shaped bread about 17 centimeters in diameter made with croissant dough, filled with chocolate and walnuts. It's also very delicious. At the register, they put each bread in a small bag, and I was impressed by the cashier's efficient and swift checkout process.
While the restaurant and the management company are different, the bread selection is not high-end, but rather affordable, with a focus on savory bread and main courses. This bakery, located in the convenient Daimaru department store directly connected to Tokyo Station, is a potential contender for the "100 Best Bread Shops" list. On a weekday afternoon around 5:30 PM, there was a constant stream of customers. However, the aisles were wide, the selection was plentiful, and the overall feeling of being crowded was minimal. I can't remember the exact details, but I purchased seven breads and the total came out to 1877 yen. The fact that Paul Bocuse's bread was priced under 300 yen on average was quite surprising! When I wondered why the prices were so affordable, I discovered that the bakery is actually operated by "Pasco Tokyo", formerly known as "Shikishima Seipan", and now "Real Pasco Bakeries." The French Paul Bocuse, on the other hand, is managed by "Hiramatsu", making them completely separate entities. Based on reviews from previous visitors, it seems that opinions on this bakery are quite divided, depending on how one perceives this fact. The bread selection and pricing are a significant departure from the branding of the French Paul Bocuse. If you're looking for bread made with high-end ingredients and beautiful presentation, this place might not be for you. However, if you're seeking simple, everyday bread with a focus on savory flavors, you might find it appealing. I personally fall into the latter category and enjoyed it immensely. The subtle sweetness of the bread dough was delicious! The combination of ingredients was also to my liking, and I had a hard time choosing which breads to buy. I think this place is a must-visit for savory bread lovers. I will definitely visit again! Thank you for the delicious meal!