With 12 locations across Hokkaido, the bakery Donguri has been a beloved local institution since its founding in 1983. Known as one of Hokkaido's most representative bakeries, they handcraft a wide variety of original products daily, with ideas coming from their diverse staff of all ages. Their shelves are always packed with an incredible array of breads! To help you choose, here are a local writer's top six recommendations that are guaranteed to be delicious.

"Chikuwa Pan" 205 yen

The "Chikuwa Pan," a local delicacy that originated in Hokkaido, was actually invented right here at Donguri. It's their number one bestseller, with about 2,300 sold every day. A tube of chikuwa (a fish cake) is generously stuffed with a tuna and mayonnaise salad, then baked together with the bread and more mayonnaise. You'll love the combination of the fluffy bread and the firm texture of the chikuwa. It's surprisingly hefty and incredibly satisfying.

Packed with tuna salad

"Shio Pan" 118 yen

This simple bread is made with French salt and fresh butter. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, you can taste the delicious flavor of the wheat with every bite. It's perfect on its own, but also great for sandwiches or drizzled with olive oil to accompany a glass of wine. The possibilities are endless.

The dough is fine-textured and densely packed

"Chocolat Noel" 183 yen

This sweet bread features chocolate swirled into a chewy dough. It's topped with a chocolate chip cookie dough, which adds a delightful crunchy texture. While not overly sweet, it has a rich chocolate flavor, making it a great choice for a light meal or a snack.

It has a satisfying weight and is very filling.

"German Frank" 313 yen

This heavyweight contender features a juicy, plump sausage and potato salad. It's sprinkled with black pepper, which adds a perfect spicy accent. For an even better experience, try warming it up in a toaster oven. It's a great snack to pair with a drink.

This extra-thick sausage, about 3cm in diameter, is a must-try!

"Apple Pie" 216 yen

Inside the crispy, fragrant pie crust, you'll find a generous filling of compote made from domestic apples simmered in white wine and flavored with butter. The balance of moderate sweetness, subtle tartness, and the lingering apple flavor is irresistible. It's the perfect treat for snack time.

Served fresh from the oven at the store. You'll want to eat it while it's hot!

"Mame Pan" 87 yen each, 243 yen for 3, 405 yen for 5

Originating in Hokkaido in the 1940s, "Mame Pan" is a sweet bread with amanatto (sugared beans) kneaded into its fluffy dough. Because the sweet beans pair so well with milk, it's a familiar item in school lunches. For the people of Hokkaido, it's a taste they've known since childhood. Donguri also sells their Mame Pan in bags. Their small size makes them a perfect snack.

The amanatto is made with Taisho Kintoki beans from Hokkaido.

"Handmade Korokke" 129 yen

Each korokke (croquette) is handmade one by one. Plenty of potatoes are mixed with onions and ground meat simmered in soy sauce. This korokke is delicious even on its own. The steamed potatoes are mashed through a sieve, giving them a smooth texture. Enjoy it as a side dish with rice, or make a korokke sandwich!

"Kushi Zangi" 356 yen

The neighborhood bakery "Donguri" also makes excellent Zangi, a local Hokkaido delicacy of fried chicken! Marinated in an original sauce, you get three large, juicy pieces of chicken with a crispy coating. The flavor is said to vary slightly between stores, so it might be fun to try and compare them.

*All prices include tax.

Click here for "Donguri"'s Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax Donation)