What Makes N-Pan Special?
Before we explore what sets N-Pan apart, let’s start with the basics—what exactly is it? N-Pan is a bread inspired by salted bread, particularly shio pan (塩パン) in Japanese and sogeum-ppang (소금빵) in Korean, both of which translate to "sea salt butter rolls."
The Origins of Salted Bread
This beloved bread traces its roots back to the early 2000s in Japan, first created by Tamagawa Bakery in Ehime Prefecture. Designed as a simple yet flavorful bread, shio pan features a crispy, buttery crust, a light, chewy interior, and a delicate sprinkle of salt on top. As it gained popularity, it found its way to South Korea, where bakeries began reimagining it with different butters, salts, and fillings, making it a staple in the country’s vibrant café culture.
The Evolution of N-Pan
What makes N-Pan different? It is a bread that embraces multiple cultures, evolving beyond its traditional form. Inspired by the Seoul café scene, we set out to refine salted bread through extensive experimentation. After countless trials with Chef Tanapon Authaiphan from Merai Bar, we’ve perfected a version that achieves the ideal balance of crispness, fluffiness, and deep, rich flavors—while staying true to its origins.
The name N-Pan stands for “New”—a nod to Newbery Street name, which itself is derived from “New” and “Berry,” symbolizing new opportunities and fresh experiences. Just as Newbery Street represents a space for discovery, N-Pan represents a modern take on a beloved classic, blending cultural influences into one unique creation.
A Perfect Pairing with Specialty Coffee
This little bread may seem simple, but behind its golden, flaky crust and soft, buttery center lies a journey of inspiration, innovation, and cultural fusion. It pairs beautifully with our core passion—specialty coffee, as we strive to create the perfect intersection of Asian café culture in one space.
As we continue to showcase and celebrate Asian coffee culture, Thunya Penbumrungvong envisioned Salt Breed as a way to share the warmth and tradition of freshly baked bread with our community. Inspired by this idea, she and our founder, Pack Katisomsakul, set out to find the perfect pastry to represent us at our upcoming Newbery Street café in Boston. After much experimentation, N-Pan was born—not just as a pastry, but as a bridge between flavors, traditions, and the stories that bring us together.
We’re excited and proud to introduce N-Pan, and we can’t wait for you to try it! Until our physical café is ready, we will be serving N-Pan at Merai Bar every 1st to 3rd week of the month. Once our café opens, N-Pan and our coffee program will move into our own space.
So, come join us—let’s celebrate Asian coffee, café culture, and community together.