CM 1

We’ve talked before about melon bread, one of Japan’s most tempting baked goods that doesn’t really taste anything like the fruit it takes half its name from. But as delicious as the sugar-dusted outer layer is, the inside isn’t anything more than plain old bread, which is why some bakeries add fillings like custard or even ice cream.

One bakery, though, has decided to spice things up literally by filling its melon bread with curry.

The odd combination might sound like the half-baked scheme from someone who’s new to the complex “making things that other people will give you money to eat” game. It’s actually the brainchild of Yamazaki Bread, though, one of Japan’s largest bakeries and the company behind the crust-only melon bread we introduced to you not too long ago. Handling the curry duties is House Foods, which is also a large, established company specializing in all sorts of spices and sauces, and is especially known for its delicious curries.

But while this unexpected team-up has people talking across Japan, curry melon bread isn’t available nationwide. That’s because is was specially created at the request of Higashi Osaka City (which is in Osaka Prefecture but technically a separate entity from Osaka City), which approached Yamazaki Bread about designing a unique product that would attract visitors.

▲ Which also turned out to be a product that would invite such shocked reactions as “( ﾟдﾟ)ﾟдﾟ)ﾟдﾟ)”

It’s not clear whether Yamazaki struck upon the idea of curry melon bread because House Foods is headquartered in Higashi Osaka, or simply because they knew it would grab people’s attentions. What we can say for sure, though, is that Higashi Osaka is the only place where you can currently get your hands on it, at a price of 120 yen (US$1.04) per pack.

▼ Curry melon bread, shown on the right

CM 2

Inside, you’ll find a special curry from House dubbed Karen-chan’s Heart. Likely a play on words of the Japanese pronunciation of “curry” (“kareh”,which is similar to that of the name Karen), online reactions from those who’ve tried it range from “Delicious!” to “Pretty good,” and “Not bad.” Containing minced chicken, tomatoes, and other vegetables, it isn’t designed to set your tongue on fire. As a matter of fact, the Japanese term for its mild spiciness is amakuchi, literally meaning “sweet taste,” which is doubly appropriate considering the curry’s sugary surroundings.

Sources: IT Media, Iroiro
Top image: Twitter
Insert image: Higashi Osaka Facebook