Japanese bakery Asanoya opened its first overseas branch on Queen Street in Singapore in 2014. The Singapore team is led by head baker, Goto Tatsuya.
When did you first start baking and do you remember what the first thing you ever baked was?
I started baking at 17 years old and the first thing I baked was the butter roll.
When did you join Asanoya, and what drew you to the company?
I joined Asanoya in 2004 and I was introduced into Asanoya by my instructor in the baking school.
What is the biggest challenge of being a baker?
The biggest challenge is to constantly think of new creations.
What is your favourite kind of bread to make, and to eat?
I like to make baguettes as it takes a lot of skills to make it correctly. I like to eat our Golden Loaf bread as it is very fluffy and rich in taste.
Goto Tatsuya joined Asanoya in Japan in 2004, and now leads the Singapore team as head baker.
Where do you get your inspirations for new creations for Asanoya from?
I get my inspirations from eating the bread from other bakeries, and from reading magazines on bread, pastries and even other cuisines. I try to imagine and integrate the different elements together to come up with a final product.
What are the differences between Asanoya in Japan and in Singapore?
The main difference is that the customers’ preference in Japan and Singapore is very different. Japanese prefer hard bread like the baguette and campagne, while Singaporeans prefer soft bread.
Is it very different for you to work in Singapore, compared to Japan?
Due to cultural differences, the mentality of Singaporeans and Japanese is very different. There are both advantages and disadvantages of the two working cultures.
Can you tell us what a typical day at work is like for you?
I work the night shift, so my work starts at 12am and I will be busy baking and supervising the other bakers until 9am. However, sometimes I am required to attend meetings, so I may end work at 12pm or even later.
Where do you like to go for lunch around the Bras Basah area?
I like to go to the coffeeshop just opposite our Queen Street bakery as the economic rice is cheap and tasty and the lime juice sold there is very delicious too!
By Gwen Pew
Published on 3 April 2018
Visit Asanoya Boulangerie @ Queen Street at 15 Queen Street, #01-03, Singapore 188537. Find out more on their website here.
