Delicious bread that nourishes body and soul, for the local community.

"Natural Puquu" is housed in a Western-style building along Setagaya Dori, near Kamimachi Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line. It's the shop of the Sato couple, who were captivated by "Ako Natural Yeast." Their commitment to health is rigorous, with absolutely no eggs, milk, or additives used in the bread dough. The bread, rich in wheat flavor, can be safely eaten by children with allergies and is so satisfying you can eat it every day.

Yumi, the wife, originally started baking bread as a hobby after attending bread-making classes. However, after discovering "Ako Natural Yeast," she was completely enchanted by its deliciousness. She even visited the yeast manufacturer and ended up training as a baker at "Ako An." While her quiet demeanor might not suggest it, she possesses considerable drive.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Sato come from merchant families, and opening a local shop seemed like a natural progression. Yasuo, the husband, who previously ran his family's business, now fully manages sales at "Natural Puquu," while Yumi oversees the second-floor cafe. With three production staff members, they have a solid operation.



"Ako Natural Yeast," made from carefully selected rice and wheat, is characterized by its clean flavor and ability to produce fluffy, soft bread. However, the distinct qualities of the wheat are directly reflected in the bread, necessitating the use of high-quality flour. Currently, "Natural Puquu" uses ten types of flour, with imported high-grade wheat flour and domestically grown rye and whole wheat, sourced directly from farmers and milled in-house.

The "Peel" featured in the top photo of the article is a bread made by wrapping the loaf dough with domestic orange peel, then encasing it further in Danish pastry dough before baking. The crispiness of the Danish pastry, the chewiness of the loaf, and the sweet-bitter notes of the orange peel make for a delightful treat. They also occasionally bake whole wheat loaves with a higher proportion of whole wheat, or French bread with minimal salt, in response to requests from customers with specific dietary needs.



The second-floor cafe allows patrons to enjoy bread purchased downstairs, as well as original menu items like the "Soup Lunch," which includes soup of the day, bread, salad, dessert, and a drink. It seems like a place to spend a relaxed and quiet time in a spacious setting.

The shop's name, "Natural Puquu," was inspired by the way bread puffs up ("pukuu"). "We want to offer not only healthy options but also delicious bread with a rich wheat flavor at reasonable prices," says Mr. Sato.

The bread from "Natural Puquu," imbued with the wishes of "Love, Thanks, Service" displayed on a board in the shop, continues to puff up ("pukuu") today, delivering small moments of happiness to its visitors.