Creator Of Japan’s Viral Neko Shokupan Opens Cat-Themed Cafe In S’pore
The Nagoya-born pâtissier moved to Singapore in 2020, where he also acquired dessert chain Chocolate Origin.
Japan has no shortage of cutesy snacks, but it didn’t stop its citizens from going gaga over a kawaii take on a food staple: Neko Neko Shokupan, a bakery named after its star offering, cat-shaped milk bread.
The feline loaf first took Tokyo by storm in 2020 when Neko Neko Shokupan opened a kiosk within an outlet for Japanese bakery chain Heart Bread Antique. It later expanded to more kiosks in Japan, offering the neko shokupan in different flavours including seasonal picks, and various toppings like gelato.
Cat bread creator moved to Singapore
In 2020, the creator of Neko Neko Shokupan moved to Singapore during the Covid-19 pandemic to expand his business here. Nagoya-born pâtissier Shinya Tajima had been opening and running various bakeries in Japan before his cat loaf became a viral success.
During lockdown, the chef also ordered and sampled many cakes, and ended up acquiring local dessert chain Chocolate Origin (random, we know). Chef Shinya later created a sub brand, Cacaocat, offering chunky chocolate cookies.
Catbake cafe
Last December, he opened a dine-in cafe at Star Vista called Catbake, which offers his famous neko shokupan, as well as Cacaocat’s made-in-Hokkaido chocolate bon-bons and Chocolate Origin’s popular chocolate ice cream.
As for why it’s called Catbake — which the chef considers an original concept — and not Neko Neko Shokupan, 8days.sg has reached out to chef Shinya for clarification.
Check out more of the cafe’s menu (meow-nu?) items below:
Neko shokupan (price unavailable)
Cat Chocolate Cake, $28
Cat Cheesecake, $28
Croc Monsieur, $4.50
Cat Toast with Gelato, $9.10
Fruit Danish (price unavailable)
Catbake is at #B1-43 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, S138617. Open daily 10am-9.30pm. www.instagram.com/catbake.sg
Photos: Catbake/ Neko Neko Shokupan
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