Shio Pan, Shio Pan, everywhere. Japanese Salt Bread has taken over many local bakeries across Singapore.
These crescent-shaped rolls rely on a simple contrast of a buttery outer layer, a light and airy interior, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top.
And this trend doesn’t seem to be stopping yet. Here’s another dedicated Shio Pan café.
Butter Town was already known for its Shio Pan before this.
Started as a home-based business before operating as a hawker stall at Holland Drive, the brand has now opened a physical café along South Bridge Road (near Chinatown MRT) called Butter Town Breakfast Club.
The main draw of Butter Town Breakfast Club lies in its dine-in concept. Previous outlets catered mostly to quick takeaways or via automated dispensing machines.
Chinatown location features an order counter downstairs and a dedicated seating area upstairs.
It also introduces a broader food and beverage selection, combining classic rolls with soft-boiled eggs, chicken curry, and specialty drinks.
Popular options sell out quickly during peak hours though.
By the time of my visit, several signature varieties were unavailable. I tried two of the remaining choices, the Azuki Butter Shio Pan and the Kaya Butter Shio Pan.
The Azuki Butter Shio Pan pairs a thick slice of cold butter with red bean paste. The bread itself retains a light, salty crunch on the bottom while staying tender inside.
It reminded me of a familiar Japanese bakery bun, though the salted finish gave it more character.
The Kaya Butter Shio Pan offers a local variation on the traditional toast set. Smooth pandan kaya sits alongside butter inside the warm salt roll.
The combination works well, and I preferred this slightly more (surprisingly).
For beverages, the cafe collaborates with Crema Cafe to manage its drinks menu. Crema Cafe focuses on specialty coffee brews and layered cream beverages.
The Pistachio Latte ($9) features espresso topped with a thick, nutty pistachio cream layer. It carries a distinct roasted nut aroma, though I thought it was slightly heavy and almost dessert-like.
The Matcha Coconut ($9) provides a lighter alternative, blending earthy green tea with refreshing coconut water. The drink tastes clean, making it a suitable pairing for the butter-laden pastries.
Next time, I would come earlier and try the buns that everyone else got to first.
Butter Town Breakfast Club
261 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058810
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Butter Town
Holland Drive Food Centre #02-35, 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044
Opening Hours: 10am – 2pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun
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