Trudy
This post was inspired by a post about ramen from the blog Sakura Junction and I told the lovely Mutsumi that I would remember to visit Panya for her to see more of what this inexpensive little place in New York City has to offer.
In the East Village, in the middle of the bars, Asian restaurants, Karaoke spots and around the corner from my yoga class is a little gem. That gem is Panya Bakery, it’s a Japanese bakery that never lets me down. After yoga class, I’m always ravenous (sweaty, and funky but that’s to be expected) and since I’m always in the mood for sweets and soup, I can get all my cravings met.
Panya bakery is on 8 Stuyvesant street and is unassuming from the outside. But when you enter, all you see is shiny wood and tasty baked goods that I am only half-way through tasting. The shop is always busy because this is a neighborhood that has many college university dormitory buildings surrounding it, so I was surprised to get a table. I know it sounds hokey but it doesn’t feel like you’re in New York when you walk in and that’s fabulous! I’ve always wanted to visit Japan and until my pockets become deep enough, little shops like these are the closest I’m going to get anytime soon, unfortunately. So why not enjoy this little pocket of Japan in middle of Manhattan?
After trying to figure out what to have because everything was looking so good to me. I hadn’t eaten yet and my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. I finally decided on a bowl of Kitsune Soba (braised tofu skin in a flavorful vegetable broth with buckwheat noodles). It was so good! It really hit the spot and was presented beautifully.
After finishing my meal, I wanted to take some treats home for family and I wasn’t lacking for a choice of delicious pastries. In the end, I overdid it and got four. Take a look at what I had to choose from.
I went home and overdid it on the sweet stuff, obviously. My choice was the Japanese sweet potato mousse, it was airy and lightly sweet and I loved the addition of the steamed chestnuts. Everything came together to make a satisfying dessert. So do you have a favorite Japanese food or restaurant that you like to visit? As usual, you know, I really want to hear about it, and we’ll compare notes. Please tell me all the good stuff in the comments below!
Until our next rendezvous…
XOXO
Trudy
Oooh! That does look really tasty. Bookmarked for next time my wife and I are down in that area!
I’ve always enjoyed it, I hope that the both of you do too.
I could have drooled, looking at your photos of those desserts. Every few weeks John and I go to a Japanese restaurant in West Asheville after church. He always chooses something cooked, and I have sushi rolls. We never looked at the desserts, but they would not have been in the same category as yours.
There has to be a nice bakery near you. It isn’t fair for you to not have good sweets.
That place looks divine! The soup looks yummy and the baked goodies as well.
There is a Asian mall not too far from my house with all kinds of stores, including a Chinese bakery. No bread and not nearly as big as this place, but they too have some great treats!
Have a great weekend Trudy! ?
Chinatown is close by but this place always gets me. What are your favorites at the bakery? Have a good weekend as well Sabine!!
Mango cookies! They are similar to bean cakes and really tasty. The place is super small, but it’s always fun to see what they have. There is also a Korean restaurant which has great food. But my favorite is the supermarket! Huge! I can spend hours looking at all the things on their shelves! They must have at least 100 different types of soy sauce. I should do a post on this place sometime!
Yes you should , I love the Japanese markets here, I do the same thing and just read through the aisles, especially the seasonings! So interesting!
Same here! Maybe I will also tackle a trip to the Westside and visit a giant Japanese/Asian market I have always wanted to check out. It is supposed to be amazing! ?
That would be amazing! Please !
I shall! Once I am over this cold I brought back from Hawaii!
Get well soon! Super jealous about Hawaii! I know pictures/posts will be spectacular!
I am working on the posts! But like always, there are downsides to paradise too!
The amount of tourists , how expensive everything is and the ecological damage?
Yes, and more. I’ll write about it. ?
Ok, I’ll be waiting patiently.
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Thanks Trudy for this interesting post. The shop’s name is great to begin with (It means Bakery in Japanese) and also the selection of sweets?! It sounds very funny that you can have ‘Kitsune Soba’ in bakery! 😀 After seeing your photo I really fancy having Soba right now.
Oh thank you for telling me what Panya means, I love that place so much I went back yesterday. You can see those pictures on my Instagram. The Soba was so good , I’ve heard the curry is good too but haven’t had it yet. https://www.instagram.com/rendezvous_en_newyork/
It means more like ‘Bread shop’. You see ‘Pain'(in French) = ‘Pan'(in Japanese) and ‘Ya’ means ‘shop’. Japanese Curry is very popular here too. 🙂
Actually it means more like ‘Bread Shop’. You see ‘Pain’ in French = ‘Pan’ in Japanese and ‘Ya’ means ‘Shop’. Japanese curry is getting popular here too. You should try. 🙂
This looks delicious! I will definitely have to add this to my itinerary when I visit NYC! 🙂
Do you visit often?
Confession: I have visited NYC only twice. In my life. I am a country girl, and I think I find it intimidating. :-/
It can be if you don’t like crowds of people, but since I am one of those people, I can relate. Some days, I go to crowded places and other days no to so much. I take days trips out of the city, or go to museums, or parks.. There is always an alternative, that’s one of the reasons I avoid Times Square.Where did you go when you visited?
These are exactly the posts I was talking about. Great stuff Trudy!
Thank you so much ! I’m trying!
Those look absolutely yummy!
Thank you!
Oh I’ve never been here, thanks for sharing! Bakeries are, simply put, THE BEST:-)
It’s nothing fancy but that’s why I love it there and it’s surrounded by upscale restaurants and it still holds its own for a good meal. Thank you for visiting Jess!
YUM!