Who we are
The name ZAPAN comes from the Japanese word pan, meaning bread.
It also echoes the sound of Japan, reflecting our roots as a Japanese bakery.
In Japanese, “zapan” is an onomatopoeic word that describes the sound of ocean waves- a connection that feels especially meaningful in our seaside home of Devonport.
Since immigrating from Japan in 2012 and settling in Takapuna, we have been passionate about building a bridge between Japan and New Zealand through food.
Our mission is to share the true taste of Japanese bread with the local community - bread that is soft, delicate, and crafted with care.
We are grateful to call this community home, and we look forward to continuing to share our passion for Japanese bread with you for many years to come.
A bakery then. A bakery again.
Japanese Bakery Cafe Zapan is located in a truly historic building with a story to tell.
Over a century ago, this very space was once a bakery, serving the local community.
Today, the building begins a new chapter, becoming a bakery once again.
This rare photo shows the front of the building in its early days, a bakery that stands proud with horse carriages lining the street.
It’s a reminder that baking has always been part of this place.
We’re honoured to bring fresh bread back to this historic space, and to continue the story.
Traditional Japanese Bread
Salted Butter Roll (Shio pan)
A buttery, crescent-shaped roll that is crispy on the outside whilst soft on the inside; sprinkled with sea salt.
It has a small piece of butter inside, which melts during the baking process and infuses the bread with a rich flavour and a slightly hollow centre.
Custard Cream Bun (Cream pan)
A classic Japanese-style cream bun.
Soft, fluffy, slightly sweet bread generously filled with our rich homemade custard, made with plenty of eggs and fragrant real vanilla beans.
Cookie Bun (Melon pan)
A sweet, fluffy bread covered in a thin layer of crisp, cookie-like dough.
It is usually called “Melon pan” because the grid or net-like pattern of the crispy surface looks like the rind of some melons, but it normally doesn’t have a melon taste! Melon pan is very iconic.
Curry Bun
A savoury deep-fried bun filled with Japanese curry and covered in Panko crumbs.
At Zapan, we use Wagyu beef for the house-made curry and oven-bake it instead of deep-frying, which is healthier and makes a crispy outside.
Red Bean Bun (An pan)
A soft, sweet roll filled with red bean paste (Anko).
One of the traditional Japanese-style breads created in the 19th century.
At Zapan, we use chunky red bean paste for a more intense, lasting bean flavour.