Starting May 20, 2026 (Wednesday), the "Super! Unagi Pan" (超！うなぎパン) — a bread featuring a whole grilled eel from Kochi Prefecture — becomes available for nationwide order through Komi Bakery's mail-order site. In-store sales at Komi Bakery in Kochi are scheduled for a limited run from May 21 (Thursday) through May 23 (Saturday).
From May 23 onward, in-store purchases will be by reservation only, with orders placed at least three days before the desired pickup date (excluding regular closing days). The product is also scheduled for a reservation-only release on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in observance of Doyo no Ushi no Hi — the midsummer day traditionally associated with eating eel.
The concept behind "Super! Unagi Pan" pairs unagi kabayaki with bread, wrapped in nori for a sushi-like appearance. It uses eel farmed in Kochi Prefecture and kabayaki prepared by Kitahama Shoten, an eel specialty restaurant with over 70 years of history, grilled over charcoal.
The Story Behind "Super! Unagi Pan"
The product originated with Kazuto Nishiyama, Head of Bread and Sandwich Production at Komi Bakery. In 2023, Nishiyama traveled around Japan in search of great local ingredients. After tasting unagi kabayaki in Hamamatsu, he was struck by its flavor and began thinking about a product that combined bread and eel.
Komi Bakery had previously released limited-edition items for New Year's, Valentine's Day, and Christmas, but creating a product tied to the summer tradition of Doyo no Ushi no Hi had long proved difficult. The desire to celebrate that cultural moment as a bakery is what ultimately led to the development of "Super! Unagi Pan."
Charcoal-Grilled by Kochi's Kitahama Shoten
The eel used in the product is farmed locally in Kochi Prefecture. Kitahama Shoten, a Kochi-based eel specialty restaurant with over 85 years of history, handles the kabayaki preparation. Craftspeople grill the eel over charcoal, achieving a crispy outer surface and a tender, plump interior.
A whole eel is placed directly on top of the bread for a striking visual impact, then wrapped in nori to give the product a sushi-inspired look.
Product Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Super! Unagi Pan (超！うなぎパン) |
| Price | In-store: ¥2,500 (tax included) / Nationwide shipping: ¥3,500 (tax and shipping included) |
| In-store Sales | Limited: May 21–23, 2026 / From May 23 onward: by reservation only, 3 days in advance (excluding closing days) / Doyo no Ushi no Hi: July 26, 2026 (by reservation) |
| Nationwide Shipping | Available via the Komi Bakery mail-order site: https://komi-bakery.shop-pro.jp/ |
