Chan Bake Shop Opens in Cromwell: Japanese Milk Bread, Asian Sandwiches+

At this new Cromwell bakery, guests are treated to flaky croissants, cinnamon rolls with thick, rich icing; giant chocolate chip cookies and sugar-dusted palmiers. But beyond the classic  French and American treats, the offerings spotlight tastes of Asia: jewel-toned ube and pandan custard tarts, an egg sandwich with Spam, garlic and soy sauce; a Korean galbi sandwich with crispy tempura onion rings.

The menu at From Chan Bake Shop is autobiographical for owner Chan Graham, who was born in Laos, emigrated to Texas as a young girl and earned a culinary arts degree at Johnson & Wales University, where she was classically trained in French cooking. She’s traveled the world, with a particular love of Paris and its renowned pastries. Now she’s channeling her culinary curiosity into her new venture.

“I want something so different, so unique, that nobody else has it,” she said. 

Graham’s bakery and cafe at 50 Berlin Road opened Dec. 17, a project that has been in the works for more than a year, she said. The Cromwell space is actually her fourth culinary business in the state – she and her sister, Khamla Vorasane, opened BouNom Bakery in Avon in 2020, named in honor of their late Laotian immigrant parents, father Bounlieng (“Bou”) and mother Nom. Vorasane, a former insurance executive, now runs BouNom on her own. 

Despite her baking prowess, Graham calls it a “hobby,” and is quick to note that cooking is her first love. She briefly ran a vendor stall at Hartford’s Parkville Market food hall, Chan’s Street Fusion, in 2022. The menu featured dishes from her native Laos, like traditional larb, papaya salad and Lao-style grilled chicken and steak, along with Korean savory pancakes and Southeast Asian po’boy sandwiches. 

While she was preparing to open in Cromwell in 2024, she got the opportunity to take over a bakery in the Broad Brook section of East Windsor in late August. The takeout-only space doesn’t have Cromwell’s cafe seating, but she’s been testing out her recipes for a few months in the small north central Connecticut town, offering a rotating selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, cake slices, bagels, sandwiches and coffee. 

The menu is larger in Cromwell, with a full beverage program featuring coffee, tea and espresso drinks. Flavor syrups are crafted in house, with options like maple, “honey bee,” Tahitian vanilla bean, brown butter cookie and even a unique “fortune cookie” version. Signature drinks include a “dirty Lao,” with Thai tea and coffee, and a “dirty green” – green tea with coffee.

The pastries and baked goods rotate daily, with recent items including classic French canelés, blueberry and banana muffins, cinnamon sugar and strawberry vanilla custard doughnuts and pain au chocolat. Japanese milk bread is a staple, sold by the loaf and also serving as the base of From Chan’s breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

The breakfast menu features a classic egg and cheese sandwich, with the option to add hash brown or a meat topping, and a spicier version features sausage and hash brown with jalapeño mayonnaise. Asian flavors are highlighted on the “Double Asian” egg sandwich with shaved beef and house spicy mayonnaise, and the Spam Special with garlic and soy sauce. 

Breakfast is available all day, and lunch sandwiches include an Asian BLT, a bulgogi and veggie creation, a crispy fried chicken option with sweet and spicy mayo and others including Korean galbi steak and cheese, honey butter chicken with yum-yum slaw and a “sloppy Asian” with ground beef, vegetables and Korean sauce topped with fries. A sweet and spicy pork bulgogi sandwich features hot dogs, creamy jalapeño sauce and bacon bits.

Graham has longer-term plans for each From Chan location, with hopes of offering a few flavors of housemade ice cream at the Broad Brook bakery this summer and visions of potential dinner pop-ups in Cromwell, where she could showcase more of her cooking.

“I’d love to have a tasting menu here – maybe 15 to 20 people, first come first serve, and I could cook between a seven and 12-course meal,” she said, adding that she’d love to introduce more people to Laotian cuisine.

From Chan Bake Shop is at 50 Berlin Road in Cromwell and 6 Wapping Road in Broad Brook. Visit @fromchanbakeshop for updated hours and menu information.