Anpan

A soft Japanese sweet bun filled with red bean paste, often topped with sesame seeds or a pickled cherry blossom.

Anpan: Glossy golden anpan buns topped with sesame seeds, one torn open showing sweet red bean paste filling
  • Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
  • Japan

Anpan was created in Tokyo in 1874 by a bakery that combined Western-style bread with the sweet azuki bean paste of Japanese confectionery. The original buns were raised with a sake starter, which gives a subtle flavor. Today they are made from a soft, enriched yeast dough.

The bean paste can be smooth or chunky. Popular variations use white bean paste, sweet chestnut or sesame. Anpan inspired a whole family of Japanese sweet breads, including melon pan and cream pan filled with custard.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Bread Evolved in Japan, Japan National Tourism Organization (japan.travel)