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Fukuda Pan, known nationwide as Morioka's soul food, offers around 50 different fillings, both sweet and savory
At the four directly managed Fukuda Pan stores, staff display a popularity ranking, which has been featured in the local Iwate Nippo newspaper and has become a hot topic
This article is a report on purchasing and tasting the top three "Sweet Fukuda Breads" listed in the ranking
Please note that all prices in this article are current as of January 28, 2026
Fukuda Bread, a soul food loved by Morioka residents
Fukuda Pan Main Store has an eat-in corner inside the store. There are often long lines at lunchtime on weekdays and on holidays
In 1948, during the post-war food shortages, Fukuda Tomekichi developed the modern koppepan and founded the company, wanting to fill the stomachs of hungry students
At the store, you can also purchase unfilled koppepan and sliced bread
This koppepan is also served in school lunches in Morioka city, and is an indispensable food for Morioka residents who grew up eating it
The koppepan has a unique texture that is both fluffy and elastic, and a slightly mild taste that does not overpower the flavor of the filling, but rather enhances it
The kitchen at the Nakanobashi store, where many fillings are lined up
This popular bakery spreads fillings such as sweet bean paste, cream, and jam for snacks, as well as savory fillings for meals, right in the store
You can also combine two or more of these fillings, allowing you to enjoy them in a variety of ways, either layered or separated
A wide variety! Fukuda Pan's popularity ranking
Nakanohashi store's menu and popularity rankings: 4th and 5th place changed from last November's rankings
Fukuda Pan has four directly managed stores in Morioka City: the Nagatamachi main store, the Mitake store, and the Nakanobashi store, as well as the Yahaba store, which is attached to a bread factory in Yahaba Town
These stores create popularity rankings based on the opinions of their staff, and this Iwate Nippo article is a compilation of the rankings as of November 2025
Each store is in a different location, so the gender and age groups of customers who visit vary, but the top three sweet items were the same for all four stores
Girls who appear to be high school students wondering what to buy at the Nakanobashi store
On the other hand, there are differences in the rankings of each store from 4th place onwards, which indicates that there are differences in the customer base that patronises each store
1st place: Bean paste + butter
The beautifully spread "anko + butter" before closing (the vegetable sandwich is in the back) Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel
The sweetness of the bean paste and the saltiness and richness of the butter complement each other, creating an exquisite and delicious balance that makes this the most popular item at all our stores
anko + butter combination is said to account for 30% of all orders
"An Butter" is a Fukuda Pan classic
One day, the mother of the current president, Fukuda, ordered "one bean paste and one butter," but she spread both on one piece of bread, so they had to make it again
It is said that this tradition began when people thought it would be a waste to throw it away and tried eating it later, only to find that it was unexpectedly delicious
The butter mixed with margarine was originally replaced with margarine when butter prices rose sharply, but this was unpopular, so they have now changed it back
Retail packaging Source: Wikipedia (File name: Fukuda Pan Nagatacho Main Store.jpg, Photographer: Yasu)
Fukuda Pan's "An + Butter" can be purchased at any time at supermarkets and convenience stores around Morioka, as well as at the Morioka Station kiosk, but it tastes even better when you have it spread on the bread at the store
2nd place: Peanuts and butter
Peanut cream is a firm favorite
The fragrant peanut cream has just the right amount of sweetness, and when combined with the saltiness of the butter, it creates a subtle sweetness that makes it so popular that you can eat as many as you want
The peanut cream is delicious on its own, but the richness of the butter makes it even more filling and satisfying
3rd place: Jam + butter
There are many types of jam, but this one is the most popular
The jam spread on the cake is a combination of strawberry and apple jam, and the sweetness and sourness combined with the saltiness of the butter give it a deep flavor
Other jams available include grated apple, peach, blueberry, and marmalade, and we recommend trying them all and comparing them
Introducing Fukuda Bread, the sweet bread recommended by the author!
The Nakanobashi store located inside Morioka Bus Center is a hidden gem when there is a line at the main store nearby
This time, I purchased Fukuda Bread from the Nakanobashi store, located on the first floor of Morioka Bus Center
Among the recommendations there was Cookies & Vanilla + Whipped Cream,
The left half is whipped cream, and the right half is vanilla buttercream with cookie pieces
I wanted to try the taste of each filling, so instead of getting a "mix" that has it spread on both sides, I got a "half" that has it spread on both the left and right sides
The vanilla cream has a very rich vanilla scent and the crunchy texture of the finely crushed cookies makes it a delightful buttercream
The whipped cream had a strong milk flavor and was rich
With the "Half" option, you can enjoy each separately and then combine them
Each was delicious on its own, but when combined they complemented each other and tasted even better
By the way, it was ranked 4th in the Nakanobashi store ranking in November last year, but as of January 21, 2026, it had been overtaken by "Matcha + Butter" and had dropped to 5th place
Fukuda Pan <Information>
Facility name: Fukuda Pan Nagatamachi Main Store Address: 12-11 Nagatamachi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture Phone number: 019-622-5896 Business hours: Monday to Sunday 7:00-16:00 Closed: New Year's holidays, Obon URL: Fukuda Pan official website
Google Map
Nakanobashi Store <Information>
Address: 1F, Morioka Bus Center East Building, 1-9-22 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 019-656-0105
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00-16:00
Closed: Thursdays, New Year's holidays, Obon
Google Map
Mitake store <Information>
Address: 2-9-60 Mitake, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, inside Across Plaza
Fukuda Bread has now become a nationally known B-grade gourmet food, and there have been requests to open stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other areas, but the company only has four directly managed stores around Morioka, and any traveling sales are limited to the local area
As a result, tourists from all over the country visit the store on weekends and holidays, and there are often long lines at each store
Please note that all stores only accept cash payments
Pre-bagged bread is sold at train stations and supermarkets, but locals queue up to buy it for the thrill of having the bread spread and sandwiched inside
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
