Walking into any fruit theme cafe (fruit parlor in Japanese), basement food halls of department stores, or convenience stores in Japan, you would probably encounter this slightly outlandish, vibrantly colored sandwich called Fruit Sandwich or Fruit Sando (フルーツサンド). Slices of Japanese milk bread anchored by fresh-cut fruits set in whipped cream. Odd as it may seem, once you give the sandwich a try, you’d know instantly why it is so popular in Japan and you wondered why you have never thought of this combo before!
What is the Japanese Fruit Sandwich (Fruit Sando)?
Simply put, it’s a sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream between two slices of Japanese milk bread known as shokupan. While the bread is fluffy, pillowy and all, it is the filling that steals the show. Symmetrically shaped strawberries, orange, kiwi, mango, and blueberries make the centerpiece of the sandwich. In between the bread and fruits is the smooth and buttery whipped cream, and in my opinion, bestowing the dreamy factor to the entirety. Just like how you’d imagine it – every bite of the sandwich is bursting with juicy sweetness. It’s refreshing, it’s light, and it’s like sunshine in a sandwich form.
The Origin of Fruit Sando
There are two strong theories on how Fruit Sandwich originated in Japan. One theory says that it started in Kyoto around the early 1920s because there are a lot of cafes in Kyoto featuring Fruit Sandwich as their main menu. The other theory says Senbikiya (千疋屋; the very first store that started a fruit parlor in Japan in 1868) in Tokyo started Fruit Sando. Although we don’t know which theory is true, the pairing of fruit and soft white bread does not surprise me. After all, we even go as far as eating noodles in a sandwich form (I’m talking about Yakisoba Pan). Anyone who has tasted fresh fruits in Japan knows that they are extremely flavorful, so sweet and juicy that sometimes you may think you’re eating candies. So I can see why somebody decided to use fresh fruits as a filling in sandwiches.
5 Helpful Tips
To make sure your Fruit Sandwich is good-looking, here are a few tips you may want to consider:
Think of the orientation of the fruits and cross-section before you start making the fruit sandwich.Try to use the same-size fruits and arrange the fruits so they are aligned in a nice line.When wrapping the sandwich with plastic wrap, pull the wrap tightly to secure the sandwich.Make sure to weigh down the sandwich and refrigerate it before you cut it.Clean your knife after each cut so the bread doesn’t have a smear of the whipped cream.
A Worthy Summertime Sandwich for All Occasions
With the bounty of berries and fresh fruits available in the summer, this Japanese Fruit Sandwich is going to be the star sandwich you want to make over and over again. You could serve it as breakfast, afternoon snack, or picnic sandwich. Or perhaps for your backyard BBQ – because it’ll stand out as a showstopping appetizer or side dish. Or for a kid’s birthday party this summer – because he/she is going to love it. If you love fruits and whipped cream combination, you may also enjoy Fruit Parfait and Japanese Strawberry Shortcake! Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
