Łukasz said “I love you” first. Monika said “let’s open a business.” Somewhere between those two decisions, W Szoku Pan was born. Armed with Japanese shokupan bread, a healthy disregard for normal sandwiches and the occasional kitchen argument, this Gdańsk couple have created something wonderfully different. They’ve even managed to squeeze the taste of ramen between two slices of bread. We caught up with them to find out how love, chaos and a few questionable ideas turned into one of the city’s most talked-about food adventures.
WHY SHOKUPAN?
WHY NOT JUST NORMAL SANDWICHES? Because normal is boring! Shokupan is soft, versatile and different. People thought we were crazy. Now they call us a Tricity gem.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevDID PEOPLE ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT?
Not really! Some still walk in asking what shokupan is. We show them the food. Usually, that does the talking.
WHO SAID “I LOVE YOU” FIRST?
AND WHO SUGGESTED OPENING A BUSINESS? Łukasz said “I love you.” Monika suggested the business. Make of that what you will!
WORKING TOGETHER 24/7. ROMANTIC OR DANGEROUS?
Both! We argue, obviously. Running a business is tough. Running one with your partner is tougher. But we’re getting stronger.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevWHO’S WORSE WHEN THEY’RE HUNGRY?
Both of us! Seriously, don’t approach either of us hungry.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST DISASTER?
The day before opening, someone cut the electricity cable supplying our building. No power, food being prepared, total panic. Luckily, someone fixed it in time.
WHAT’S YOUR CRAZIEST CREATION?
TANTAN PAN! Łukasz woke up thinking, “Let’s put ramen inside shokupan.” We weren’t sure it would work. Now people say closing their eyes feels like eating ramen.
HAS INSTAGRAM CHANGED STREET FOOD?
Absolutely. Food needs to look good now, too. Luckily, ours is colourful, photogenic AND delicious!
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevWHAT FOOD RULE IS COMPLETE NONSENSE?
Trying to please everybody. It’s impossible. We’d rather do something different and do it properly.
IF W SZOKU PAN WERE A PERSON?
Colourful, impossible to ignore, dancing down the street to Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun.
WHAT’S THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU CAN HEAR?
“JESTEM W SZOKU!” That’s literally why we chose the name.
ONE VISIT. WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE ORDER?
Any shokupan! Our regulars often recommend everything before we even get the chance. That’s the best advertising imaginable.
Monika and Łukasz have survived kitchen arguments, opening-day disasters and the challenge of convincing people that bread can be something extraordinary. But perhaps their biggest achievement is building a place that feels as colourful and unpredictable as they are. And if you ever find yourself staring at a sandwich that somehow tastes like ramen, don’t overthink it. Just take another bite. Being W Szoku is kind of the point.