Pelican Café

Set onto a custom wire grill over glowing binchotan coals, the sliced bread takes on a sharp, enticing crosshatch pattern as it toasts. Cut to a generous 3 cm in thickness, the charcoal-grilled toast offers a crisp, airy crust that gives way to a fine-grained, elastic crumb. As butter slowly melts into the warm bread, a spread of jam rounds out the simple, unvarnished sweetness of wheat.

For a more substantial meal, the ham katsu sandwich is an enduring favorite, centered on a thick-cut slice of ham from local producer Asakusa Ham. Breaded in crumbs made from Pelican's own loaves and fried crisp, the cutlet is layered with finely shredded cabbage, house-made mayonnaise, and a brisk touch of mustard, keeping each bite satisfying without feeling heavy. The kitchen also turns out a fluffy omelet sandwich seasoned with ketchup and signature mayonnaise, as well as toast topped with ham and a soft-yolked fried egg, accommodating casual morning bites and hearty midday lunches alike.

Those with a sweet tooth will gravitate toward the fruit sandwich, layered with 4 to 5 varieties of fruit that rotate with the seasons. A light, fresh cream folded with fromage blanc lets the juicy fruit and dense bread shine, creating a pristine presentation with a clean, gentle finish. The menu also ventures into inventive variations, including sweet adzuki bean toast topped with whipped butter and maple syrup, and white cheese toast layered with 3 types of cheese, including mozzarella.

Operated directly by historic bakery Pan no Pelican, Pelican Café is open from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 into the late afternoon, remaining closed on Sundays. Guests register at the door, settling in with house-blend coffee or tea while waiting for each freshly prepared bread dish to arrive at the table.