Nanaria

When picking up a tray at Nanaria, the curry bun fried crisply in rice oil makes an immediate case for itself. Cooked in rice oil until golden, the exterior breadcrumbs deliver an aromatic crunch, yielding to dough with a pleasant, chewy spring. Inside, the rounded, mellow curry avoids feeling heavy, harmonizing smoothly with the richness of the pastry.

The savory selection leans hearty and satisfying. A crisp-cheese panini generously loaded with fillings, another layered with demiglace hamburg steak and tartar sauce, and a tuna-and-tomato panini bound with tartar offer substantial lunch options. Seasonal twists add regular variety, including oyaki-style filled flat rolls stuffed with ingredients such as spring bamboo shoots or pickled nozawana greens.

The sweet shelves highlight gentle textures and balanced sweetness. The crisp melonpan made with san'onto soft brown sugar pairs a delicate biscuit crust with soft, airy dough inside. Alongside, items like a homemade custard bun packed with smooth cream, soft cinnamon rolls, and flaky croissants serve equally well for breakfast or an afternoon pause.

Located in Kamiueno-cho, Muko, right outside the east exit of Hankyu Nishi-Muko Station, Nanaria operates as a compact takeaway-only bakery. Evening hours run until 20:00 from Wednesday through Friday, and until 20:30 on Saturday, making it accessible on the way home from work. Payment is cash only, and with no dedicated parking on site, it is best visited by train or on foot during a stroll through the neighborhood.