Ginza’s luxury ice cream shop has released a new parfait flavour for the Halloween and autumn season.

They have called it the “Akiiro Murasaki coi Parfait” (Autumn Colour Purple coi Parfait). Coloured like the vivid sumire plant―a species of violet―this mouth-watering parfait contains a jam made in-house with whole natsuhaze, a wild type of blueberry that has been used in Japan since ancient times. It’s topped with a dollop of rich and milky ice cream, a puree made from in-season purple sweet potatoes, and assorted nuts for added crunch.

Natsuhaze blueberries contain a lot of polyphenols, giving them an elegant sour flavour which goes unbelievably well with the taste of the milky ice cream and sweet potato. The parfait is served with a liqueur made from sumire extract.

For the Halloween period between October 16 to 31, the parfait can also be topped with various spooky decorations at no extra cost, like chocolate ghosts, spiders and cobwebs.

 

If you’re celebrating Halloween in Japan this year, or want to treat your date to a Halloween treat, then take them to Tokyo’s high-class shopping district Ginza for a luxurious parfait.

One thing I do at least once a week without fail is treat myself out to some delicious food or dessert. It’s very important time well spent to ensure happiness.

I’ve been working relatively hard as of late. I had some spare time before a business meeting, so I took advantage of the occasion to treat myself to some desserts. My destination: ATELIER de GODIVA located inside Seibu Ikebukuro.

GODIVA has numerous stores throughout Tokyo, but Ikebukuro’s concept store branch has an eat-in space that’s perfect for that tea or coffee break.

 

ATELIER de GODIVA boasts that same level of quality when it comes to their desserts, some of which are exclusive to this branch. There are only three branches: this one in Seibu Ikebukuro (Tokyo), another in Daimaru Kyoto (Kyoto), and the last in Hakata Hankyu (Fukuoka). The cake I am showing you today is a special dessert sold only in these three branches (and is takeout only at Hakata Hankyu).

 

The first delight I ordered was the Mousse Matcha Cherry.

Mousse Matcha Cherry: Eat in ¥980 / Takeout ¥780 (*Matcha Ice Cream is eat-in only)

Available: Until November 26, 2019 while supplies last

The shiny cake is served on a round white plate with a dollop of matcha ice cream. The pink berry sauce is drizzled around the plate to make the plating even cuter.

Time to tuck in. This extravagant cake is supported by a fluffy matcha mousse topped with a crunchy chocolate sable. On top of that still are juicy cherries, adding a hint of freshness to the cake. The matcha glaze on the mousse has just the right amount of bitterness, which when coupled with the subtly sweet matcha mousse makes for a heavenly balance of flavours. Lined around the base of the mousse are sweet and sour dried raspberries which elevated the matcha-ness of the matcha mousse.

The matcha ice cream which it comes with when you order to eat in is rich and creamy.

I was full up after my dessert, but since I’d taken the time to come here I wanted to order a drink too… so I got a takeout Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami from a shop adjoining ATELIER de GODIVA.

Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami – ¥602 (*Takeout only at the GODIVA Seibu Ikebukuro branch)

This new drink is part of GODIVA’s chocolate and tea pairing series. The chefs at GODIVA have carefully selected the best varieties of tea to combine with chocolate. This one is an iced drink made with white chocolate and matcha.

It’s a mix of GODIVA’s popular smooth and sweet white chocolate and rich Uji matcha. It’s crowned with a sprinkling of bitter Uji matcha powder. All of the flavours are highlighted in this sweet drink. The crunchy white chocolate pieces you sip up as you drink are delicious. It’s the kind of drink where you’re sure to find something new each time you take a drink.

 

My 30-minute tea break is my little self-indulgence for the day. Spare minutes in my daily schedule affords me the chance to go and enjoy some delicious desserts. You should treat yourself to some special autumntime sweets too.

 

Today’s Presents

Matcha Adzuki ATELIER Tablet – ¥800

It’s important to share the happiness between family and colleagues on when you get the chance to enjoy something tasty. The present I bought today was a tablet chocolate handmade in the shop. The matcha white chocolate has almonds in it as well as Japanese-style chocolate mixed with adzuki. It has a strong matcha flavour and isn’t overly-sweet. You can also request for a ribbon to be tied around it for gift-giving. It’s a chocolate that’s sure to bring anyone joy.

 

Writer：Sayuri Mizuno（MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON）

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Mirai Image and firand have teamed up to create a new dessert brand named “firando.” Their website launched just recently, and their first products, “MANGETSU” and “PURIORI,” were shown for the first time at the 9^th Tsuhan Expo which took place on September 26-27. Sales of these two confections went live on their official website on Tuesday (October 15).

 

During the Edo portion of Sakoku, when Japan closed its doors to most foreign trade and foreign nationals, Hirado was called “firando” and thrived as a port for international trade. During this time, caramel, then a western-style confection, found its way to Hirado, and has since resurfaced in Hirado, Nagasaki.

“MANGETSU” is the Japanese term for full moon. This salted caramel treat is made with a very special salt: it’s taken from the sea of the beautiful Hirado Island only when the tide is high during an evening full moon. It’s also made with freshly-squeezed raw milk shipped directly from the only dairy farmer in Hirado that has been passed down the generations. The dessert is completely additive-free, using no preservatives or artificial colouring. It uses the highest quality unrefined sugar from Kagoshima Prefecture that is easy on the body, with each and every grain being accounted for in the 10-second cooking progress. The milk has a rich flavour, and the full moon salt adds a pleasant accent, resulting in a refreshing aftertaste.

The “PURIORI” is a Japanese-style pudding whose concept is “going back in time.” The concept asks, “What if you went back in time to the end of the Edo period and presented nanbangashi* to the Matsuura feudal lord?” The pudding piles together the layers of Japan’s confection culture. It’s made with rare eggs from Nagasaki Prefecture that you can’t get on the marketplace.

 

*Nanbangashi are a variety of Japanese sweets derived from Portugal and Spain

firanodo has whipped up some seriously special and luxurious desserts here. If you find yourself in Nagano, be sure to visit their store, and don’t forget to check out their website below.

Royal Park Hotel Tokyo in Nihonbashi has begun its Halloween festivities for 2019, including a bone-chilling black and orange food and dessert menu, spooky decorations, a photo spot in the first floor main lobby, and more.

Check out their mouth-watering sweets assortment! Their Halloween Afternoon Tea set is packed full of autumntime flavours, from the glass desserts, to the apple chiboust, chocolate pocket watches with bats on them, adorable monster burgers, and more.

The hotel is also offering a Halloween Dinner Buffet on weekends and holidays decorated in Halloween colours. Pile your tray with figs and blackcurrants, chestnut mousse, pumpkin tarts, and plenty of other tasty treats, all prepared fresh in the kitchen.

This is just a peek into the hair-raising fun happening right now at Royal Park Hotel Tokyo. There’s also the Halloween Cocktail Fair, Halloween Sweets & Bread event, and much more.

 

Spend your Halloween here, or even use it as an opportunity to try wearing your Halloween costume out so you’re ready for October 31!

Ruby chocolate is a variety of chocolate that was introduced in 2017 as the 4th main type of chocolate alongside milk, white and dark. It didn’t hit Japan until October 2018, but since then, the luxury pink delight has been getting much love with the release of many new products. The ruby colour of the cocoa beans is completely natural.

I attended a product conference held by Barry Callebaut, the Belgian-Swiss chocolate company which introduced ruby chocolate to the world. I got to try out various confections made using this chocolate.

 

When talking about ruby chocolate, you’re inclined to highlight its striking pink colour. But the looks are just part of the story. Compared to dark, white and milk chocolate, ruby chocolate is said to have the strongest cacao fruit flavour. Though it’s chocolate, it has a sour, fruity kind of taste.

 

Until last year, I was more about the eye-catching pink colour of the chocolate, so I ended up overlooking that ruby chocolate is often paired with berry-type fruits when it comes to confections. I get it nowーso it has a sour taste? Well then, this year I really want to go all out and appreciate the unique flavour of this ruby chocolate.

 

Today, I’m going to showcase six new products made with Callebaut® Ruby Chocolate. I’ve tried them all, so I can properly break down the flavours and how delicious they are for you!

 

Ruby Chocolate Otabe – ¥660 (Before Tax)

This Japanese confection is a combination of ruby chocolate and “Otabe,” which is a confection known as “yatsuhashi,” a popular souvenir sweet from Kyoto. Much time is put into making the ganache to ensure the fruitiness of the ruby chocolate remains intact. The ganache is wrapped in chewy yatsuhashi which is made with domestic koshihikari, which is a type of rice, and carefully selected water. There’s no way this could be anything short of delicious!

At the taste-testing session, I got to see the ruby chocolate Otabe being made right in front of me. It was done by a kimono-clad Nara who normally makes confections in the factory.

The rich and sour ganache combined with the chewy yatsuhashi is a match made in heaven! The pink colour really is cute after all, isn’t it? By wrapping the fruity chocolate in mochi, it creates even deeper flavours in your mouth.

 

This product will be sold at Kyoto Station and various tourist sites around Kyoto, so if you ever visit the city, make sure you’re on the lookout.

 

Ruby Chocolate Otabe

Running: October 11, 2019 – Early May 2020

Available: At Kyoto Station and tourist spots around Kyoto

Official Website: http://www.otabe.kyoto.jp/

 

 

 

Ruby Mille-feuille – ¥600 (Before Tax)

From Juchheim comes these ruby chocolate-coated mille-feuille fingers, laced with butter from Hokkaido and strawberry and raspberry mixed cream layered into a crunchy sandwich.

The puff pastry is of course tasty, and the sour flavour of the ruby chocolate mixed with the sourness of the berry cream packs a seriously fruity punch. It’s an overall crunchy and rich dessert, but it also has a refreshing taste to it, so one person is sure to be tempted by more than one.

 

Ruby Mille-feuille

Released: October 1, 2019 (Online orders from October 8, 2019 )

Available: At all 272 branches of Juchheim in Japan / Juchheim Premium Online Shop

Online Shop: https://e-shop.juchheim.co.jp/

 

 

Pretzel Cookie – ¥480 Each (Before Tax)

Food company Rosenheim have taken their crunchy butter pretzel cookies and coated them in various chocolate flavours, including ruby, sweet, milk, and white.

 

The ruby pretzels have that distinct vivid pink colour and of course taste fruity. There’s six in a pack, so you can share them with friends.

 

Pretzel Cookie

Released: September 20, 2019

Available: At mass retailers across Japan

 

Christmas Wreath Ruby Framboise – ¥5,000 (Before Tax)

Callebaut’s new ruby chocolate iced cake will be released from Maison Givrée. It’s topped with a ruby chocolate and raspberry ice cream and is adorned with cool and refreshing lychee sorbet.

The best way to eat this cake is when the ice cream has melted a little bit. You can enjoy the sweet fragrance of the ruby chocolate and the marriage between its sour flavour and the raspberry. Try savouring the melted sorbet and ruby chocolate ice cream by leaving it in your mouth.

 

Christmas Wreath Ruby Framboise

Running: October 11, 2019 – December 13, 2019

Delivery Window: December 20, 2019 – December 25, 2019 (subject to change)

Stock: 50

Available: At Maison Givrée and its online store

Official Website: https://givreetokyo.shop-pro.jp/

 

 

Ruby Chocolate Corn Puffs – One Box ¥1,450 (Tax Included)

You can pick up a box of these ruby chocolate corn puffs at Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux on the 2nd floor of InterContinental ANA Hotel Tokyo. They have a shiny pink pearl-like appearance. The crunchy corn puffs are thick-cut which goes well with that fruity ruby chocolate taste.

 

Ruby Chocolate Pear Tart – ¥650 (Tax Included)

These cocoa-laced and ruby chocolate powdered baked tarts are also sold at Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux. They’re topped with almond cream and a pear compote. They’re also topped with a ganache made from ruby chocolate and a redcurrant puree. Their design is made so that it looks like a flower, crowned with extra redcurrants.

 

Ruby Chocolate Corn Puffs

Running: All year round

 

Ruby Chocolate Pear Tart

Running: October 1, 2019 – January 14, 2020

Available: Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux (InterContinental ANA Hotel Tokyo – Floor 2F)

Hotel Official Website: https://anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp/en/

 

 

I’m all about ruby chocolate’s deep flavour now. If you’ve yet to try it then you’ve got to get your hands on some, to enjoy both its striking pink appearance and that sour cacao fruit flavour.

 

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

SHARI is a restaurant located on the second floor of Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza-gochome, a new hotel that opened on September 26 located within walking distance from Ginza Station and Higashi-Ginza Station. This restaurant serves authentic and fancy Japanese-style food as well as luxurious Kobe beef, gozen set meals, and much more.

Ginza is known as the expensive, upmarket part of Tokyo, and when talking about small local restaurants there the pricing threshold tends to be rather high, but at SHARI customers can enjoy proper Japanese cuisine in a more casual manner and at a much more affordable price, with the typical set lunches starting at just ¥1,200.

Sophisticated is the word that springs to mind upon entering this restaurant, as your eyes meet the gorgeous mix of wood on black. As well as table seats, they also have counter seats too, allowing for you to enjoy a little luxury on your own if you so wish.

There is an additional restaurant inside the main restaurant itself that goes by the name Teppanyaki Mitaki, a tiny six-seater restaurant that serves Kobe beef, a type of wagyu beef and one of the top three beefs in Japan.

SHARI Gozen – ¥3,000 (Before Tax)

I ordered the SHARI Gozen which is served during lunchtime. This set comes with six small bowls, each filled with different colourful foods. It’s a cute-looking set♡

There’s lots of meat and fish included in the set. For meat, they have steak made with domestic beef. It’s succulent and drizzled in a rich sauce that fills your mouth deliciously with a single bite. With the sashimi, the restaurant makes sure to serve fish that’s in reason. There were 3 types of fish so it was a very satisfying meal.

The set can also be served with a variety of deep-fried foods, stewed foods, and cold fishes, as well as rice, miso soup, desserts and more. No matter what you order you can rest assured you’ll be full afterwards.

 

SHARI is a chic and stylish restaurant with great food, plus it’s located in Ginza. And you can enjoy all of this at a super low price!

Lady’s Gozen – ¥2,600 (Before Tax)

I have to recommend the Lady’s Gozen if you’re looking to enjoy fish and vegetables. It comes with two varieties of sashimi and one fried fish, all in season, as well as an assortment of fried food, savoury egg custard, and four side dishes.

It also comes with rice and sushi rolls as well as a dessert like the SHARI Gozen.

The whole dinner menu is lined with Japanese food, including sashimi, tempura, fried food and more. There’s also various courses, including the Teppanyaki Mitaki course which is priced from ¥12,000. It comes with Kobe beef of course in addition to various other high quality ingredients.

Shu – ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

I also recommend this Japanese-style cocktail for those thinking of staying late. It’s inspired by the colours used in kabuki theatre―a Bloody Mary combining shichimi, nihonshu, and tomato juice. The rim of the glass is lined with more shichmi for a spicy and refreshing kick when you sip.

Check out the cute glass it comes in too.

 

From affordable lunches to dinner courses made with top quality ingredients, SHARI can be enjoyed throughout the entire day with its diverse menu line-up. Be sure to pay a visit to tuck into authentic Japanese cuisine in the luxury district of Ginza.

 

 

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

RINGO, a shop which specialised in freshly-baked custard apple pies, has announced that it will release its new Yakitate Custard Oimo Apple Pie on October 17.

RINGO opened its first branch in Ikebukuro, Tokyo back in 2016. Since then, it has expanded and opened 12 branches across Japan, including Osaka and Fukuoka, and 3 stores overseas. They sell over 6 million custard apple pies every year. Since their products are baked fresh in-house, you can watch and see how they are made.

The new Yakitate Custard Oimo Apple Pie is a crunchy 144-layer pie packed full of custard cream and an autumntime sweet potato paste for an added subtle sweetness.

The sweet and sour apple filling is made with a range of domestic apples, including the hatorazu ringo apple from Aomori Prefecture. The pastry is also laced with cocoa powder and topped with roasted white sesame seeds. A deliciously fitting dessert for the autumn season!

October is here, meaning Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re not up for dressing up in a costume or going out this year, then you can still get in the Halloween spirit by picking up one of the many Halloween exclusive goodies now being sold at Japanese convenience stores. We’ve picked out our top 5 favourite for you.

 

Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Starbucks Japan is now stocking its sweet caramel pudding latte across most convenience stores in Japan. The golden-capped cup features a spooky Halloween design, decorated with ghosts, pumpkins and bats. Enjoy Halloween in a cup with the beverage’s rich and sweet caramel pudding flavour.

 

▼Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Price: ¥200
Available: Most convenience stores across Japan. Select branches not stocking.

 

Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

 

These crunchy potato sticks are a popular savour snack in Japan. This Halloween, Calbee has coloured their sumptuous sticks black, and made them taste like delicious consomme. This is a 7-Eleven and Ai Group-exclusive. Its cute pot design will have you grabbing one off the shelf without even thinking.

 

▼Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

Price: ¥138 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

 

KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

 

The classic thick-cut Karamucho potato chips have been sprinkled with extra spiciness for that heated kick. The packet features all the familiar faces of Halloween, from a witch to a pumpkin, bats, a graveyard and more. If you’re a spice-seeker then this one’s for you. Also a 7-Eleven and Ai Group exclusive product.

 

▼KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

Price: ¥128 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

 

 

7-Eleven Marshmallow Chocolate Ganache Daifuku

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7-Eleven is also releasing a range of its own original Halloween treats, including this sweet white daifuku which looks like a marshmallow and is filled with rich chocolate ganache. A Japanese and Western-combined confection you can enjoy with one hand.

 

▼7-Eleven Marshmallow Raw Chocolate Daifuku

Price: ¥118 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven (Except in Okinawa)

 

7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Black cats are a popular symbol of Halloween, particularly in Japan. This cake is made with chocolate cream and vanilla cream and is coated in a crunchy chocolate coating for even more tasty texture. This is a seriously cute choice you’re sure to love!

 

▼7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Price: ¥308 (Before Tax)
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Available: 7-Eleven

 

 

Did you enjoy our picks? There are plenty of Halloween-themed foods, confections and sweets to look forward to this year at convenience stores in Japan. Head to your closest one and see what they have in stock.

Nestlé has announced that it is revamping its 16 products* at the KitKat Chocolatory which will be released on October 11, 2019.

*One of these products will be released in late November

The KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its luxurious line is endless, with products ranging from the elusive ruby chocolate, whose cocoa beans give the finish product its pink colour, to volcanic chocolate made from rare cocoa beans sourced from volcanic islands, and beyond.

 

The Chocolatory takes regular KitKats and the brand to a whole new level while still having that sense of familiarity, making their products great gifts and personal treats.

The new line-up of 16 products is considered by four categories: 1) the chocolate type, 2) where the cocoa beans are produced, 3) the production process from bean to bar, and 4) the combination between chocolate and other ingredients. Each and every bar has been given equal attention to create chocolates with different flavours, enabling consumers to discover not only which tickle their taste buds, but the story behind each unique bar.

 

There is a rapidly growing interest amongst consumers who want to know where their food comes from and how it’s made. When it comes to specialist chocolate products, a lot of information isn’t widely known. That’s the reason behind KitKat Chocolatory’s revamp, as well as to create chocolate that nobody has experience before.

 

Let’s take a look at four of the new KitKats you can get your fingers on.

 

Enjoy the Chocolate Varieties

KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Bitter – ¥300 Each (Before Tax)

A hallmark product since KitKat Chocolatory opened, the Sublime Bitter is couverture chocolate made with 66% cocoa. The bar is a blend of three different cocoa beans from Ghana, Madagascar, and the Dominican Republic. This addictive delight reserves the original bitterness of the cocoa while having a fruity tinge to it.

 

Enjoy the Difference Between Cocoa Production Areas

KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Volcanic Malakula Island – ¥400 Each (Before Tax)

This mysterious ‘volcanic chocolate’ is made from extremely rare cocoa beans sourced from the volcanic Malakula Island which was voted one of the happiest places on earth. It has a distinct bitterness and very fragrant scent reminiscent of the ground.

 

Enjoy the Chocolate Making Process

KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Raw – ¥300 Each (Before Tax)

The cocoa beans of this “raw” chocolate are cooked at a lower temperature than usual to draw out a more natural flavour of the original bean, like it’s been plucked right out of a cocoa bean farm and placed into your hands.

 

Enjoy the Combination Of Ingredients

KitKat Chocolatory Moleson – ¥500 Each (Before Tax)

Finally, here is the world’s first ingredient-topped KitKat. It uses the smooth, melt-in-the-mouth KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Milk bar as the base, and is topped with sweet and sour dried cranberries and fragrant crushed almonds, creating a flavourful and textural ensemble.

Discover a whole new world of KitKat and chocolate when the new products drop at KitKat Chocolatory on October 11.

As the almighty creator of the chilled chocolate drink called the Chocolixir, GODIVA has now transcended to a whole new level with its Tea Magic Series which pairs luxurious GODIVA chocolate with a specially made tea. The fourth and final heavenly Chocolixir drink for the Tea Magic Series has now been revealed to be called the Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami. This is a pairing of GODIVA white chocolate and Uji matcha. A limited number of these will be released for sale from October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019.  

 

The GODIVA Tea Magic Series is made using the finest GODIVA chocolate. The chocolatier considers the most appropriate tea to enhance the flavour of the chocolate and only uses the finest tea leaves to make the drink. The result is a chilled chocolate tea which is filled with a flavour that will enlighten you. Hojicha Chocolate tea was the first tea of the series and was released on July 1st.

Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami (270ml): ¥602 (before tax)

GODIVA’s mildly sweet and velvety white chocolate is blended with rich uji matcha tea and then chilled to a perfectly refreshing temperature. A light cloud of whipped cream floats on the surface and is sprinkled with carefully made uji matcha powder. Matcha chocolate sticks garnishe the drink. 

 

From your first sip to your last, your mouth will be filled with a rich and luxurious matcha flavour. From time to time, your tongue will discover the exciting texture of small pieces of smashed white chocolate pieces.

 

This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in the luxurious flavour of mild white chocolate blended with rich uji matcha. 

COREDO Muromachi Terrace is a new shopping complex in Nihonbashi, Tokyo that opened its doors on September 27, 2019. Confectionery company Ishiya, which is known for its Shiroi Koibito cookers that are considered a souvenir and speciality of Hokkaido, opened its first ever cafe outside Hokkaido entitled ISHIYA NIHONBASHI at the shopping centre.

ISHIYA NIHONBASHI is the first cafe managed by Ishiya outside of Sapporo, Hokkaido. The cafe’s concept is to treat the people of Tokyo to the wonderful flavours of Hokkaido. This includes a selection of popular sweets and desserts, including the Shime Parfait―a common accompaniment to the end of any drinking party in Sapporo.

 

During the day, the establishment offers a sumptuous cafe menu whipped up by the chefs, such as pancakes and parfaits. Let’s take a look.

Strawberry Ishiya Pancake (Fluffy) – ¥1,400 (Tax Included)

The Ishiya Pancakes are fluffier than clouds, made lavishly with cream cheese and fresh cream. They’re topped with even more fresh cream and strawberries and are finished sweetly with condensed milk and a sweet and sour raspberry sauce. The pure white cream and raspberry sauce make these pancakes look cute and tempting♡

Shiroi Koibito Blend Coffee – ¥400 (Tax Included)

This original blend of coffee was crafted so it goes perfectly with a Shiroi Koibito biscuit. When you order a cup of this coffee you get one biscuit to enjoy with it.

During the evening and late night, the cafe serves snacks made to pair with alcohol as well as exclusive parfaits drizzled in Japanese sake. They also sell the “Shime Parfait,” a classic post-drinking dessert in Sapporo.

Parfait Nihonbashi – ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

This Nihonbashi-exclusive parfait is topped with alcohol which you drizzle sake over. The parfait includes rich jelly. You can create even more delicious flavours with the accompanying matcha pudding or brown sugar syrup.

The cafe also sells Saqu, colourful high-class biscuits normally only sold in Hokkaido. They make for a perfect souvenir.

 

Taste the flavours of Hokkaido in Tokyo at Nihonbashi’s newest hot spot.

One thing I do at least once a week without fail is treat myself out to some delicious food or dessert. It’s very important time well spent in order to live a happy life.

 

Today, I went and got my lunch early ahead of my morning work. I visited dotcom space Tokyo, a café in Harajuku where you can indulge in a laid-back experience.

©️photo Takumi Ota

The café is just a 4-minute walk from the Takeshita Street exit of Harajuku Station. Its atmosphere is so peaceful and related that you wouldn’t believe it’s right next to noisy and busy Takeshita Street. It’s a spacious place with simple and stylish furniture and furnishings. I fancied something sweet this time, so I went and ordered the Peach & Yoghurt bread.

©️photo Takumi Ota

©️photo Takumi Ota

The interior decorating scheme is based on wood; you can feel how particular they were about the furniture. It’s easy to wind down at this café due to its spacious interior. It’s common to see workers scattered throughout too. It’s a nice place to leave your desk for a little bit for lunch for a change of pace.

Peach & Yoghurt ¥680 / Iced Café Latte ¥550

The bread is piled with a generous serving of yoghurt cream and shiny peach which the light shines on.

I feel happy just looking at this delicious treat. Just spellbinding!

I sliced my first piece and popped it into my mouth. The bread is deliciously chewy, and the refreshing yogurt cream and sweet peach filled my mouth. The bread itself is a thick-cut slice and made by Pelican, a bakery in Asakusa. It has a chewy and moist texture you can’t find anywhere else.

 

The yogurt cream isn’t overly sweet, instead having a more refreshing flavour to it. When eaten together with the sweet ripened peach, the gorgeous mix blends together around your taste buds and melts in your mouth. Depending on the season, you can pick fruits other than peach too. They always have seasonal choices. I’m looking forward to their autumn and winter line-up.

The iced latte has a slight acidity to it, my favourite kind of flavour. It went really well with the Peach & Yogurt bread. The café is also particular about its coffee bean selection; one of its baristas is noted to be a past “Japan champion” when it comes to coffee. I’ve got to try the hot coffee the next time I visit.

 

A set meal, burger or the likes would have been good too, but I had my eyes set on a sweet dessert lunch. Getting a moment to chill out and enjoy something sweet made me happy today. I recommend enjoying some autumn fruit-topped bread too as the seasons change.

 

Today’s Presents

Apple Juice ¥450

I’s important to share the happiness between family and colleagues on when you get the chance to enjoy something tasty. I bought them some apple juice, which is poured into a cup with a smiling face on the side. It’s made from 100% apples from Nagano. The straw is made from environmentally-friendly sugarcane.

 

 

Writer:Sayuri Mizuno（MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON）