Panya Bistro

I've been coming to Panya since it first opened near the Victoria Ward Centre back in the late 90s.  That shop has since closed to make way for a new highrise called Hokua.  About a year ago, Panya moved to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and in addition to the wonderful European-inspired Japanese breads and pastries, they are now serving hot entrées (breakfast, lunch and dinner) among other things.

The shop is bright and spacious, and the interior offers some funky touches.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of the shop's interior.  On my next visit, I will take some and update this post. 

Panya in Japanese means bread shop, and the breads and pastries are definitely the highlight of what's on offer here.  Today, I bought something that is not regularly offered, the crown bread (US$2.85).

The woman at the counter advised me that this bread was made from dinner rolls that were baked in a pan and topped with apricot jam.  The bread came apart in sections, and was light and fluffy.  The apricot jam offered just the right combination of sweet and tart.  This was a great match for the lychee-flavored tea I had after dinner.

For tomorrow, I bought one of my favorites, and what's probably the bakery's best known and biggest selling offering, the Hokkaido bread (US$.99).

This is a mini loaf which is just right as a single serving.  You can buy the Hokkaido bread in a 3-pack (US$2.97) or you can buy a "Big Top" Hokkaido (US$2.95).  The Hokkaido bread is a sweetbread, and it's light and fluffy with just the slightest "crust" around the outside.  Crisp and slightly sweet, the "crust" is a nice contrast to the airy middle.  This is great and absolutely one of my favorites.

I haven't yet tried any of the food items, but I'm hoping to.  If they are as good as the breads and pastries, then I'm sure that I'll enjoy them.  In my opinion, Panya offers some of the best European-style Japanese breads and pastries on the Island.  The Hokkaido bread is a definite "must try".

Panya Bistro
Ala Moana Shopping Center
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
Telephone:  808.946.6388

Comments

[Clinton]

Reid,

Wasn't there a Panya Bakery on King St. and McCully? I remember buying Hokkaido bread there once to take back to the mainland several years ago on my aunt's recommedation. On our last trip back, I don't remember seeing it there anymore?

[adriana]

European-style japanese breads? hmmmmmm

[MBS]

Panya! Mmmm good! I went to their old location near Border's last year and I really liked their pastries!

Have you ever tried their "yin-yang" tea drink? It is a sweet drink combining black tea and espresso. Ono! I drink it cold without the momi (boba).

Funny thing is that even though they sell Japanese-style pastries, I think the owners are from Hong Kong.

Good thing they moved into the Ala Moana Center--much more convenient now.

[Reid]

Hi Clinton,

I don't recall a Panya Bakery on King & McCully. There was one in the McCully Shopping Center though. It has since been converted to a Cold Stone Creamery. There is also one located on Queen Street near Lex Brodies. I've never been there though.

Hi adriana,

Welcome to my blog! The Japanese bake many French-style breads and pastries for some reason. These are very good. You should try them if you have an opportunity to. Hope to hear from you again!

Hi MBS,

I have never tried any of the beverages on offer here. Most of the time I buy my pastries and take them home to eat. Sometimes I'll be too hungry and I'll eat them on the way to the car! =P

Yes, it is quite funny isn't it? Chinese owners, running a Japanese bakery that serves European (French) style pastries and breads. It doesn't surprise me though, the Chinese here (and everywhere else for that matter) are very enterprising.

I like the new location. Tons of parking and so convenient. I also liked the location near Ward Centre as it was kind of quiet even if you sat outside.

[Jo]

I'm tickled by the "fusion" surprise. I've been to Italian delis run by Armenians. There is a restaurant near by, Northern Italian cuisine, Iranian owners, Hispanic wait staff...

I would like to hear a little more about the pastries at this place. Do they have napoleons? Cream horns? Liquor flavored cakes? If yes, how does the texture compare to the French items? Particularly the texture of the baked portions of the pastries. What about the fillings and flavors?

I'm a huge fan of European pastries, in particular a liquor flavored ice cream cake that I had on several occasions in Mallorca Spain back in the 70s.

I love the Asian pastries I get here because they have less sugar than the "American" stuff which seems more interested in anihilating the palate with a complete imbalance of flavor and texture.

I'm more familiar with Chinese and Korean pastries at this point. I have; however, located an exemplary Italian bakery nearby. They make the best napoleons I have thus far encountered, and my son adores their chocolate rum cake. The big test will be with the Christmas cake I'm planning on serving on Christmas Eve.

Speaking of Christmas, have a VERY happy one! Mele Kalikimaka! (Did I say it right?)

[Alice]

That crown bread is absolutely gorgeous!

[MrsTweety]

Like my daughter would say... "yum,yum"!

[obachan]

Hi. I've been enjoying your blog and this is my first time commenting here.
The Hokkaido bread sounds so yummy. I guess you have better Japanese breads than what we have around here (in Japan)... Lucky you!

[Reid]

Hi Jo,

This bakery doesn't actually have many European pastries. They are actually Japanese in flavor, but European in style. Most of the really yummy things here are cream filled or like mentioned above, the different types of bread.

BTW...yes, you did say it correctly! =)

Hi Alice,

It was really nice and tasty. Not too sweet with just the right amount of tart flavor to it. I was told that you can easily bake this at home by using a standard dinner roll recipe, apricot preserves and some icing. I'm tempted to try to make this myself. If I do, I'll be sure to post it.

Hi MrsTweety,

It sure was YUM, YUM indeed! =)

Hi obachan,

Thanks for visting my blog. Your comments are greatly appreciated. =) We actually have a lot of places that serve Japanese style pastries and breads. I'm going to blog about another one of my favorite places soon. Keep your eyes open for it.

Hope to hear from you again! =)

[Shirley]

Hi Reid,
I've only seen the Hokkaido bread here at Breadtalk. It's big, about 20cm, and surprisingly light and crunchy. Best eaten day it is bought. Check it out when you are in town.

[Reid]

Hi Shirley,

As a self-proclaimed bread lover (on top of everything else), you've given me just another item for my "to try" list. I'll be sure to see if I can find Breadtalk when I'm in Singapore next year.

Thanks for the tip! =)

[Mae]

Oh my your website is fabulous! I don't live in hawaii anymore, but I used to go to the mccully & near-borders books Panya way back in the late 90s.
Their more food-y items are just as great as the Hokkaido bread! Of course they're not exactly lunch items unless you buy a lot, but if you have a small appitite like me then it's great for breakfast, a snack, or small lunch. Also, if you get there in the morning, then there's so much more selection! I remember some mayo in some of these breads (not very Japanese but still great!).
Your pictures are great. They're making me miss the awesome food back home in hawaii!

[Reid]

Hi Mae,

Welcome to my blog!

Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm really glad you enjoy the blog and the photos. =)

I used to go to Panya way back when too. I think at the McCully Shopping Center, the old Panya is a Coldstone Creamery (or is it a Vietnamese Restaurant. I can't remember if they were next to Curry House or next to 7-11. *sigh* I'm getting old.

I used to frequent the one near Borders too. I had eaten there a couple of times, but enjoyed the breads/pastries with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoons or late evenings.

Hope to hear from you again!

[Stephanie]

Their hokkaido bread pudding is to die for! If you order it inside, they will warm it up for you in a pool of this light vanilla sauce. If you take it out, you could just warm it up in your microwave. Either way, it's fantastic!