Hello, travelers!
I’m Cho-san, a writer for Sarukuma.

As someone who loves hopping between bakeries, today I’m thrilled to introduce a hidden gem located in Yasudakubo, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City — a specialty shop dedicated to freshly made coppepan (Japan’s beloved soft hot dog–style bread roll):
“Koppe de Bakery Magnolia.”

The parking area is shared with a neighboring tempura restaurant, so look for the Magnolia signboard to find the right spot.
There are 4 parking spaces available on-site.

Hand sanitizer is provided at the entrance as a hygiene precaution.
Customers are welcomed inside one group at a time to keep things comfortable.
They also stock teas and tea utensils from Green Tea Lab in nearby Mashiki —
and inside the shop you’ll find a variety of drinks, including soups that pair beautifully with bread and kid-friendly options.

When I visited, the shokupan (Japanese milk bread) was already sold out, but you can also pick up bread-friendly olive oils and individually wrapped jams alongside it.

The moment you step inside, your eyes are drawn to the menu board styled like an old-school classroom blackboard. So adorable!

Recommended Menu Items

The variety is so impressive you might struggle to choose! I dropped by during the afternoon snack hour, and several items were already sold out.
The item marked “on hiatus” in the upper right — Koppe Cream ¥230 — combines whipped cream with sweet red bean paste, but it’s paused during the warmer months. It’s actually my favorite, so I was a bit disappointed!

・Sweet Koppe (rolls with sweet fillings)
・Savory Koppe (deli-style filled rolls)
・Special (seasonal or limited fillings)
The menu is divided into three big categories, so half the fun is deciding what to try based on your mood and the time of day!

This time, I tried these four:
Condensed Milk ¥190 ← Owner’s pick!!
Chunky Sweet Red Bean (Tsubuan) ¥160 ← A must for anko lovers ☆
Thick-Cut Ham Cutlet ¥290 ← Owner’s (and my) favorite!!
Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe) Potato ¥250 ← Pairs perfectly with coppepan!

Chunky Sweet Red Bean ¥160
Packed with sweet red bean paste from end to end — pure happiness in every bite!

Thick-Cut Ham Cutlet ¥290
Just look at that cross-section — it really is generously thick! And it’s served piping hot, freshly fried.

Mentaiko Potato ¥250
Loaded with so much spicy cod roe and potato that it spills out of the bun ☆

To be honest, before visiting Magnolia, I never thought of coppepan as something particularly delicious — just a simple bun. But Magnolia completely changed my impression.

The bread is unbelievably soft and fluffy — absolutely incredible!
They even offer the Plain Coppepan ¥120 with no fillings or spreads, so you can fully appreciate the bread itself or get creative with your own toppings at home!

They also accept phone orders, so you can reserve in advance and skip the worry of items selling out.
Take-home flyers with the order info are available in-store for next time.
Everything is made to order, so each coppepan arrives fresh — and reserving ahead means a smooth, no-wait pickup.
There’s also a bench and small table set up out front, perfect for waiting while your order is freshly prepared.

Beyond the Yasudakubo location, Magnolia also pops up at events around the Kumamoto Prefectural Office and downtown, so keep an eye out if you’re in the area!

Since plastic shopping bags now carry a fee in Japan (since July 1, 2020), be sure to bring your own reusable bag ♪
The shop closes at 18:00, but they often sell out earlier — I highly recommend going early to avoid disappointment ☆

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.