Matsunaga Seisakusho Shokupan Bread Loaf Pan with Lid

The best tonkatsu starts with fresh shokupan, and the best shokupan starts with this loaf pan.

Japanese milk bread (食パン, shokupan), also called Hokkaido milk bread, or simply milk bread in English sources, is a soft white bread commonly sold in Japan. It has become very popular in the west recently and is essential for making katsu or tamago sandwiches.

When most people think about things that are made in Japan, the idea is that they are made with the same level of care for everything, be it a single screw or a multimillion-dollar car.  Matsunaga is a company that leans into the “Made In Japan” ethos.  From their small factory in Tokyo, they strive to put as much thought into their products as possible, accounting for every little detail.  This becomes really clear when you take a look at the Shokupan Loaf Pan.  The folded rim features a thick wire to prevent the shape distorting, even at high heat; the base features a dimpled finish to help the loaf release from the bottom rather than getting stuck. You might not think about these finishing touches when you think of Shokupan, but Matsunaga did.