MONICA

For something sweet, the anko butter sandwich stands out. It pairs brioche with chunky sweet red bean paste and butter cream, finished with black sesame. The cream adds richness and a hint of salt to the sweetness of the beans. Visitors have also remarked on the brioche’s softness, the texture of the beans and the toasted aroma of the sesame.

Those looking for something more substantial may want to try the LATURE sausage bread, mentioned in a customer’s account. House-made wild boar sausage is served in chewy ciabatta; the diner noted the bread’s springy texture and the sausage’s savoury flavour. A customer has also documented buying a prosciutto croissant sandwich. It was filled with French Bigorre pork prosciutto, Comté cheese and rocket, combining savoury richness with the peppery bitterness of the leaves.

The shrimp-fry Viennois is another savoury option, with a large fried shrimp and tartar sauce served on the side. One diner remembered the tartar sauce for its pronounced acidity. It makes for a substantial centrepiece, quite different from sweet breads or everyday savoury loaves. MONICA is a bakery in Shibuya 2-chome and offers takeaway. Its listed opening hours are 11:00 to 18:00 daily.