Colombo’s Local-Loved Bakery 🥖 Paan Paan: Plain Outside

Passing by Paan Paan in Sri Lanka, I almost missed it for its "plain" exterior—the snacks in the glass case look unassuming, but the first bite reveals a surprise: oozing cheese, piled veggies, spice-mixed meat… Locals call it "our breakfast canteen," and following them was the right move. At just over 100 LKR (~¥2-3), you’ll leave stuffed—value so good it feels "free"💰 🌭 Submarine: Stuffed to Overflowing, One Fills You Up Watching the staff make my first Submarine, they didn’t stop piling ingredients: A long, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside roll, sliced open and layered with pickles, tomato, crispy bacon (dripping with oil), mayo, local chili sauce, and a handful of lettuce. Press down, and it "puffs" as filling oozes out; One bite, and wheat bread aroma, salty bacon, crunchy veggies, and sweet-tart sauce explode in your mouth—textures so rich it’s like a "mini sandwich tower." Fills guys up, perfect for sharing among girls. Works as a full meal—healthier than fast food and more satisfying. 🧀 Hot Cheese Melts: Cheese Lovers Rejoice, Oozing and Hot Freshly baked Hot Cheese Melts come wrapped in foil to stay warm: A soft toast exterior, filled with melted cheddar (golden like liquid sunshine) mixed with ham bits and onion. Bite in, and "sizzle"—cheese drips down your chin, so strong it sticks to your lips; The savory filling blends perfectly with rich cheese. Best eaten hot (gets when cold). Pair with iced coffee to cut richness—pure happiness. ⚠️ Warning: Skip the Tuna Salad! Trying the Tuna Salad proved not all fresh options work: Tuna chunks mixed with mayo, a bit fishy (maybe local tuna’s fault). Veggies feel underwhelming, "watery" in texture. Better to swap for egg or chicken salad—safer and tastier. 🫔 Freshly Baked Snacks: Lucky if You Catch Them Hot Timing your visit with 出炉 (baking times, usually 10 AM and 3 PM) is a win: Samosas and sweet bean buns in the case still steam from the oven, crusts crispy and flaky, fillings hot enough to burn but too good to stop. Samosas have potato + minced meat; sweet buns have coconut + mung bean—sweet and savory options. Over 100 LKR each, perfect for on-the-go munching; Locals stock up for afternoon tea, students grab two for class—convenient and filling. 🥖 Bread Section: Soft Toast for Breakfast, Unbeatable Value Shelves overflow with bread, and the toast is a standout: Soft as cotton to touch, with tiny air pockets. Plain, it has a mild wheat sweetness—slather jam or add cheese, and it’s a simple breakfast. A loaf feeds 3 days, only 500 LKR (~¥10)—fresher than supermarket pre-packs. The shop’s always packed: school kids (snatch) the last Submarine, aunties line up with bread bags, staff shout "fresh samosas" in Sinhala. The air smells of baking bread, like stepping into "Colombo’s neighborhood kitchen." 📍 Paan Paan（super close to the University of Colombo, easy to find on Google） Seeking "cheap and filling" in Colombo? Head here. ¥10 fills you up—locals don’t lie～ #ColomboBakery #LocalEats #BudgetFood #SriLankaGuide #PaanPaan