Hachimitsu French toast（はちみつフレンチトースト)
Today, I’m excited to share the recipe for the “Ultimate French Toast.” While it uses simple ingredients like bread, eggs, and milk, the result is nothing short of extraordinary.
French toast is the signature dish of the Hotel Okura. Renowned as the “World’s Best French Toast,” this recipe has become one of the most popular and beloved in Japan, as it allows you to recreate that world-class flavor right in your own kitchen.
One bite of this magical dessert will make all your fatigue float away. Let’s dive into the details!
💎Key Points for Success
- The Bread: I recommend using bread sliced about 4cm thick. You can use shokupan (Japanese white bread) or a baguette.
- Check out my [Shirasu Toast article] (Shirasu toast made with homemade shokupan) for more on shokupan and home bakery recipes!
- Ideal Soaking Time: For perfect results, the official recommendation is 24 hours total (12 hours per side). If you’re in a hurry, poke small holes in the bread with a bamboo skewer. Using a small, deep container will allow the bread to completely submerge. The bread is done soaking when it has absorbed all of the egg mixture.
- The Crusts: Traditionally, the crusts are trimmed off to allow the bread to puff up beautifully. (However, I personally leave them on because I love that slightly crispy texture!)
- Cooking Method: At home, a frying pan is ideal for toasting French toast. If you’re making a large batch, a griddle is convenient. It takes about 15 minutes for the center to be cooked through.
- (Fun fact: At Hotel Okura Niigata, they first toast the bread in a frying pan until golden brown, then bake it in an oven at 160°C for 4 minutes on each side.)
- Toppings: Honey or maple syrup is a must. Add fruits, ice cream, or a dusting of cinnamon to turn it into a cafe-style masterpiece.
📋Nutrition Facts (Per 2 Servings)
| Nutrient | Per 2 Servings | Per Serving |
| Calories | 1009 kcal | 504.5 kcal |
| Protein | 39.4g | 19.7g |
| Fat | 42.2g | 21.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 126.1g | 63.1g |
| Salt Equivalents | 3.0g | 1.5g |
🛒Ingredients (Serves 2)
- Shokupan (White Bread): 2 thick slices (approx. 85g each)
- Milk: 180g
- Eggs: 3 Large
- Sugar: 30g
- Vegetable Oil: 5g
- Salted Butter: 10g
- Honey: 10g (or more to your heart’s content!)
🥛How to Make Hotel Okura-Style French Toast
- Prep the Bread: Prick the bread several times with a bamboo skewer or fork to help it soak.
- Make the Custard: Whisk the milk, eggs, and sugar together. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky-smooth texture.
- The First Soak: Place the bread in the liquid and soak for 3 hours. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator.
- The Second Soak: Flip the bread and soak for another 3 hours (or even longer). Be patient and wait until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Heat the Pan: Add vegetable oil to a frying pan and heat over low heat.
- Sear the First Side: Cook for 9 minutes. The bread will be very soft as it has absorbed the egg mixture, so do not touch it until the bottom is lightly browned.
- Flip Carefully: Turn it over and cook for another 6 minutes. It takes longer than you’d expect to cook the center thoroughly.
- The Butter Secret: Add the butter at the very end. Butter has a lower smoke point than oil, so if you need to cook it for a long time, your French toast may burn. Adding it last ensures a fresh, golden aroma that coats the toast perfectly.
- Serve: Once both sides are golden brown, plate your toast and drizzle with a generous amount of honey. Enjoy your blissful morning!
📖Related Link: Read the Japanese version of this article here! [世界一のフレンチトースト：ホテルオークラの本格レシピ]
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