People who enjoy crunchy foods and have yet to discover the amazing world of panko are in for a treat.
What is panko?
Japanese panko are essentially white breadcrumbs without the crust. There is no comparison to regular breadcrumbs; these are much bigger and fluffier.
Japanese tonkatsu gets its crunch from the erratic flakes in the batter. Its dry, flaky texture allows for less oil absorption, resulting in crispier, lighter fried foods.
In Japan, it is a major event. Panko bread is baked in special factories to specific requirements. You can find both fresh and dried varieties, and they come in a wide range of flake sizes.
Even the baking process varies, with options including conventional oven baking and electrical current baking. A lot of eateries get daily deliveries of fresh panko. No panko, no survival.
What is panko made from?
Japanese shokupan (pictured above), which can be translated either as “eating bread” or “daily bread,” is used in its construction.
Fluffy, soft, mild, and slightly sweet, shokupan is a traditional Japanese confection. Long lines form in Japan to purchase what is widely considered the best bread in the world.
What’s the difference between panko and bread crumbs?
- Bread crumbs made with the crusts still on are made from any type of bread that has been torn into small pieces. Crustless white bread is used to create Panko, which results in a finer, flakier, and more uniformly white crouton.
- The bread crumbs you buy already have seasoning on them. Plain Panko is what you get.
- The tiny, round remnants of a loaf of bread. Panko resembles large flakes or shards.
Fresh (nama) panko/生パン粉
This variety is airy and incredibly crunchy. Because the bread hasn’t been dried or toasted, fresh panko retains more moisture, making it fluffier and more voluminous.
You can find the fresh stuff in Japanese bakeries and supermarkets, and if you make it at home, you’re making nama panko!
Dried (kansa) panko/乾燥パン粉
Dry panko is used as a breading or binding agent (like in meatballs). It’s the standard variety sold in supermarkets’ plastic containers.

Flake sizes
- Flakes of this size are typically used to coat food in a substantial layer.
- Flakes with a medium size are the norm.
- Coverage is maximized with smaller flakes, so they’re ideal for items with a high moisture content or those that require frequent stirring.
Where to buy
You can find it in the Asian section of most supermarkets, but if you want to save money, head to an actual Asian market instead. The internet is another source for it. In general, I buy Japanese goods.
Store-brand panko may not look any different from regular breadcrumbs, despite the label. If you open the package, you might find large, flat, irregular shards.

What aisle would panko bread crumbs be in?
You can locate it in a bag or cardboard box in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
- White bread should have the crusts cut off.
- The bread can be grated using the food processor’s grater attachment, or it can be dried out and grated using a coarse cheese grater.
In Japan, you can buy specialized graters for this purpose.
How to bread anything in a crispy, crunchy coat
- Get ready to bread your food by arranging three shallow dishes large enough to hold it.
- Separate the ingredients as follows: flour, lightly beaten egg, and panko.
- Salt and pepper your food before serving.
- Coat both sides of your item in flour by dipping it into the bowl with one hand. Brush off any surplus flour and drop it into the egg.
- You can turn the items in the egg with your other (clean) hand. Toss the items in the panko after they have been drained of excess egg.
- Flip and press down on the items to coat with the hand you used to flour them, making sure to gently adhere the flakes all over. Remove any excess flakes by shaking the bag.

Where to use
This substitute can be used in place of regular breadcrumbs.
- Create a coating for fried food that is airy, light, and crisp.
- Useful for holding together various ground meat dishes.
- Use it as a crunchy garnish on mac and cheese or Sicilian pasta for added texture and flavor.

If you’ve fallen in love, please try these recipes
- Tonkatsu
- Stuffed corndogs from Korea
- Cut of beef from the Salisbury area
- Meatballs that originate in Sweden
- Potato and cheese balls
- Chicken strips cooked in a crisp air fryer
- Yummy croquettes perfect for Thanksgiving!
- Cauliflower croquettes with cheddar cheese
- Crunchy Velveeta macaroni and cheese!