Alison and Alan Tang opened Shokupan on Wellington Street less than two weeks ago after Alan left his job as a mechanical engineer to cook the food that is close to his heart. Alison also left her role in digital marketing to help run the restaurant, while the new venture also better suits their life as parents of two boys.
The cafe, which opens 7.30am to 3pm on Monday to Friday, serves up unique sandwiches made with shokupan, which is a Japanese style of milk bread. They also serve up rice bowls, coffee and Japanese inspired cakes.
Take a look inside the cafe in our gallery below.
1. Shokupan.From left, Cheryl Johnson, Alison Tang, Alan Tang and Alec Paquette
(From left) Cheryl Johnson, Alison Tang, Alan Tang and Alec Paquette outside of Shokupan, which is situated just around the corner from Leeds train station Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
2. Interior of Shokupan
Husband and wife duo decided to leave their respective jobs in engineering and digital marketing to set up the new Leeds cafe. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
3. Katsu sando
The food at Shokupan is freshly made by Alan Tang and one of the key dishes is the katsu sando, made with Japanese milk bread (known as shokupan) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
4. The food menu
Alison Tang said that her and her husband were waiting for the perfect location to come available in Leeds before opening Shokupan. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
5. Owners Alan and Alison Tang
Alison Tang said: "My husband has always been really good at cooking and had a passion for food. In this set up I'm very much more organiser and administrator and he's the brains behind it." Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
6. North Star coffee
The coffee used at Shokupan is sourced by North Star and is a roast from Guatemala. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe