There are bakeries in Tokyo that keep a gluten-free shelf, and then there is this: a bakery that a celebrated baker opened specifically so that the people who cannot eat his bread would have somewhere to go.
Comme'N GLUTEN FREE opened in Okusawa in 2022, from the team behind the Comme'N bakery, whose head baker Shuichi Osawa won the Mondial du Pain world bread competition. The shop is dedicated: the company describes the entire lineup as gluten-free, from the breads to the custom sandwiches to the baked sweets and smoothies.
For a gluten-free traveler, that changes the whole experience of walking in. There is no scanning, no asking, no comparing two shelves. You just look at what you want.
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What we took away
We visited for takeout and picked up three items.
The croque monsieur. Perfectly melted cheese and cream sauce served on bread that holds its structure even when soaked. A great croque monsieur relies entirely on the bread’s ability to absorb rich sauces without going soggy—which is precisely why gluten-free versions are so rare. This one pulls it off seamlessly.
Mentaiko french bread. Spicy cod roe sauce on a baguette-style bread. Sharp, salty, with the heat coming through cleanly. This was our other favorite and it is a very Japanese use of a French shape.
Bacon épi. The classic wheat-stalk shaped loaf studded with bacon, in its gluten-free version.
This photo was taken in the past.
The custom sandwich. The shop is famous for its custom sandwich system, where you can build your own from an impressive range of combinations. While I didn’t get one on this visit, I’ve ordered it before—and choosing your favorite bread and fillings is half the fun! It's incredibly hearty, satisfying, and well worth taking the time to look through the menu. It’s something I highly recommend, and I’m definitely planning to get it again on my next visit.
The gluten-free picture, honestly
This is the simplest version of the picture we ever get to write: a dedicated gluten-free shop, described that way by the company itself.
Two practical notes, though.
Do not walk into the wrong shop. The group also runs its regular wheat bakery, and the two are in the same neighborhood. Search for the gluten-free shop by name, and check the sign before you queue.
We didn't inquire about the specifics of the kitchen space. However, because the main wheat-using bakery and this gluten-free shop operate in completely separate facilities, the risk of cross-contamination is very low as long as you are at the right shop. That said, since the parent brand does handle wheat at its other location, it may not qualify as a 100% dedicated gluten-free operation in the strictest sense. If you have severe celiac requirements, it is worth confirming directly with the staff rather than relying solely on our report. What we can share is that Komemaru, the wheat-allergic half of our team, enjoyed all three items with zero issues.
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Get the free checklist →What we loved
- Nothing to screen. An entire bakery where every single item is an option is a rare kind of rest
- A croque monsieur exists here. Wet, cheesy, baked bread is one of the last things gluten-free eaters expect to get back
- Station-adjacent. One minute from Kuhombutsu, ten from Jiyugaoka, so it fits into a day rather than becoming one
Good to know
- Hours: listings show 7:00 to 18:00. They disagree on closing days, so check the official site or the shop's Instagram before a special trip
- It opens at 7:00, which makes it a genuine breakfast option, and breakfast is the hardest meal to solve in Japan
- We did not record prices on our visit, so we would rather leave that blank than guess
- Location: Okusawa 7-19-12, Setagaya-ku
- The custom sandwiches are the shop's signature. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to choose your combination.
Nearby: how to fit it into your day
- Kuhombutsu itself is a quiet residential pocket, and the temple the station is named after is a short walk away
- Jiyugaoka is about ten minutes on foot, which is where the shopping and the cafes are
- The Tokyu Oimachi line connects to the Toyoko line at Jiyugaoka station, so this is an easy addition to a Shibuya day
The bottom line
Most gluten-free bakeries are built by people solving their own problem. This one was built by a bakery at the top of its field deciding that its wheat-free customers deserved the same standard. You can taste the difference in something like the croque monsieur, which is not a category anybody attempts unless they intend to get it right. Go early, and take the time to build a custom sandwich.
For more places like this across Tokyo (100+ spots we have visited, with maps and ordering notes), see the Gluten-Free Tokyo Planning Guide.
We visited in August 2026 and paid for our own food. This article is a record of our personal experience, not a safety guarantee. Menus, prices and hours change; always confirm directly with the shop. Verified, celiac-focused listings live in our Tokyo guide.
