Is the 40cm long sausage bread their specialty? I was enthralled by the "always freshly baked" bread at the bakery "Couronne" in the heart of Ibaraki.
Hello, I'm Yuki Tatsui, a writer. I started out as a researcher for the TV show "Kenmin Secret Show" and then wandered into the world of local food, and have written books such as "Strong and Delicious! Local Food Chains" (PHP Institute).
Locally-run restaurantsIt's a place where you can easily enjoy locally loved dishes and feel the originality of the region, even in this day and age when things tend to become standardized.
The local restaurant I'm visiting this time is "Couronne." It's a bakery that was founded in 1994 in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture.Including stores of different business types, we have 13 stores, mainly in southern Ibaraki Prefecture.
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- 辰井裕紀ライター・番組リサーチャー
1. A bakery just a 0-minute walk from Tsuchiura Station
The store we visited this time was "Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA," located inside the commercial Property "PLAYatré Tsuchiura," which is directly connected to Tsuchiura Station.
The compact store is popular with station users and offers a lineup of popular breads from the company's approximately 100 types of bread.
We spoke with Konno Hiroki, manager of Couronne Japon Co., Ltd. and head of the Customer Service and Environmental Planning Department, and Hoshina Chiaki, manager of Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA.
2. "Baguette" made using traditional French methods for Japanese customers
At Couronne, the first product that Konno recommends is "baguette"I'm confident that the flavor of our baguettes is second to none," he says.
Couronne's original flour for French bread, called "Couronne," was developed in collaboration with a flour milling company, and is said to "allow you to feel the natural flavor of wheat with every bite."
Furthermore, they use salt from the Guérande salt flats in Brittany, France, which has been produced using traditional methods that have been used almost exclusively with machinery since the 9th century, to make their signature baguettes, which are then fermented at low temperatures for a long time using their own homemade yeast, Levain.
There are two types of French bread: the thin, hard "baguette" and the thick, soft "batard." The "baguette couronne" is an intermediate size and hardness for Japanese people.
This is a Japanese-French hybrid bread that respects traditional French manufacturing methods, but adjusts the balance of texture and uses to suit Japanese tastes.
3. The sausage bun was originally twice as long? About 40 meters long
The most popular item is the "Ultimate Sausage France," which is made by wrapping a sausage in baguette dough and baking it at a high temperature until it is fragrant.
Originally named "Long Sausage France," this bread is made with an incredibly long sausage measuring 40cm.
It was created a few years after the company was founded, and was originally about twice as long. However, it was difficult to work with and productive, and many people were unable to take it home as it was, so it was settled at about half the length.
The sausage was developed in collaboration with Taya Meat Center in Chiba, and is made from SPF pork from Chiba Prefecture that is aged for a long time and smoked with cherry wood chips to bring out its delicious flavor.
As you chew this "Ultimate French Sausage," feeling its firm texture, the aroma of the sausage spreads to your nose, and the more you chew, the more the flavor of bread and meat comes to the fore.
By the way, while aging,It is not fermented intentionally to make it crisp.NogaAttention to detailThis is a specialty bread that you can eat as much as you want and still have more left, so you can enjoy the great value.
4. Shin Curry Bread: A Spicy and Novel Experience
Manager Hoshina also recommends the "Shin Curry Bread," which was the most popular item at the time of the interview at Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA.
several types of spicesand habaneroYou can enjoy the contrast between the spicy curry and the sweet doughnuts.The secret ingredient: aged garlic vinegarAnd 100% rice bran oil provides a strong support.
When you try it, you can enjoy the crispy bread dough and the lingering spiciness of the curry. As the name suggests, this curry bread is a breath of fresh air. If you're looking for a different kind of spiciness, be sure to give it a try.
5. Melon bread and custard snack bread are popular now
In addition, there is "Monsieur's Snack," a popular item that fills your mouth with the aroma of almonds, topped with custard cream.It has been popular since its release in 2024, and is another recommended item by Manager Hoshina.
When you bite into it, you first taste the sweetness of the melon bread crust, followed by the juicy, clear, and sweet custard cream, which is simply overflowing with flavor.
Of all the breads I received this time, this one was my personal favorite. Even now, if I saw it in front of me, I would buy it immediately.
6. Crispy and delicious "Salt Bread" and "Tsuchiura Salty Dog" that goes well with sake
Another popular item is the "Guérande Salt Bread." The crispy dough is coated with plenty of olive oil and baked, and the bottom is deep-fried until crispy.
When you try it, it's quite salty and chewy, yet it's a convenient size and price that makes it easy to enjoy.
Furthermore, a product unique to Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA is the "Tsuchiura Salty Dog."
Herb sausage and sauerkraut are sandwiched between a special dog bun and finished with lemon zest, German rock salt, and mustard butter.
It's a popular dish with a strong salty taste, and some people enjoy it with alcohol.
7. Bread baked multiple times a day, always fresh
For example, when it comes to curry bread, they sometimes bake the bread up to 20 times a day, so you can always enjoy freshly baked bread.
Additionally, Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA also offers food items such as bacon and eggs and hamburgers that can be eaten in-store, and these can be enjoyed fresh on the spot along with the drinks menu.
On Friday nights, it is common to see people eating their food with beer and other alcoholic beverages sold at other establishments on the same floor.
What's more, the Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA also offers collaborative menus with other shops, allowing you to enjoy a variety of different dishes at the same time.
8. Increase customer satisfaction with "Oshikari Web"
By the way, on the official website"Scolding Web"They have set up an inquiry form called "Inquiry Form," and it seems that the store manager is the one who always replies to inquiries.
They deliberately call it a "reprimand" because they feel that "our customers are teaching us things that we should have been aware of."
"A complaint is a sign of customer expectations of us, and it's a chance for them to become our fans," says Konno. If you want to praise a store employee, as well as criticize them, please send one.
- CouronnePLAYatré TSUCHIURA
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1-30 Ariakecho, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture PLAY Atre Tsuchiura 2F BOOK & TABLE MAP
Directly connected to JR Tsuchiura Station
7:00~20:00
029-886-5626
9. 0 minutes walk from Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA. Hotel "BEB5 Tsuchiura by Hoshino Resorts" directly connected to the station
The hotel entrance is just 10 seconds from the Tsuchiura Station ticket gate. Couronne PLAYatré TSUCHIURA is also nearby, so you can buy some bread and enjoy it in your room for a truly blissful experience.
If you choose the breakfast plan, you can choose from the menu of "Bakery Couronne," "Special Grade Chicken Soba Ryusuke," or "Tully's Coffee," all of which are located in the same PLAYatré. * "Special Grade Chicken Soba Ryusuke" is only available on weekends and holidays.
In the case of Couronne,
・Salty dog, salad, minestrone soup, drink
・Wrap sandwich, minestrone soup, drink
You can select either of the menus.
This hotel allows you to enjoy Tsuchiura, a city of bicycles, and is a great place to cycle around famous shops and places.What do you think?
