They are fluffy and soft, sometimes creamy and sweet, sometimes crispy and spicy. They come in all kinds of different variations, are the perfect snack for any time of day and any mood and are admittedly quite addictive – we’re talking about sandos. You can find sandos on every corner in Japan, because alongside onigiris and fried chicken, these sandwiches are one of the absolute konbini classics. Since the beginning of May 2024, you can now also get them at the new Yume café and diner in Friedrichshain. Xiaofen Fan, owner of the café, is particularly proud of the homemade shokupan – the Japanese milk bread is made here and used for all the sandwiches on the menu. Whether with fruit and cream, crispy chicken or creamy egg salad, they immediately transport me back to Japan. But it’s not just these that make me reminisce at Yume: In addition to sandos, there are other Japanese classics on the menu: karaage, korokke, katsu, onigiris – some dishes from the weekly menu will be alternated or replaced in the future. But one thing is clear: if you miss Japan, you’ve come to the right place.
At the moment, it’s particularly worth popping in for lunch, because that’s the only time they serve omurice – an omelet filled with rice, usually served with ketchup or a demi-glace. And if you prefer to make yourself comfortable in the park during the warm summer days, you can also order most of the dishes to go. For a sweet finish, there are parfaits (you should definitely leave some appetite for these!) with matcha, matcha ice cream and homemade shiratama dango, or alternatively with hojicha. And if you fancy something unusual, you should order the melon cream soda – a bright green melon lemonade with a vanilla ice cream scoop inside. I’d say the sandwich season is officially open!
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Yume, Gabriel-Max-Str.2, 10245 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
