In this article, I shared my memories of Angelina in Paris, but chatGPT quickly cut me off. The audio for this article is available on stando.fm. I had the transcript of the audio turned into an article, but I will correct any occasional lies. This time, I would like to introduce you to Shinjuku Isetan's Kobuseido, which stands in a corner of Shinjuku. This shop can be considered a paradise for Mont Blanc lovers. It is located in a corner of the depachika, so it's a good idea to stop by during your shopping trip. I'm not particularly obsessed with Mont Blancs, but I was very curious about Kobuseido's Mont Blancs. I had previously tried the Mont Blanc at Angelina in Ginza, so I had some expectations. With a bit of a trendy side to me, I decided to challenge Kobuseido's Mont Blanc this time. Kobuseido is famous for its giant Mont Blanc, Suzaku, but it didn't seem to be available when I visited. Instead, I got a smaller Mont Blanc. I also bought a seasonal limited edition chestnut ohagi, which caught my eye. When I cut the Mont Blanc in half, the beautifully squeezed cream pattern spread out. This squeezing process gives a warmth that can only be felt through handiwork. One of the delicious aspects of Mont Blanc is the harmony between the cream and the white cream. Each bite allows you to enjoy this exquisite balance. The shop also offers a variety of attractive Japanese sweets, perfect for souvenirs or gifts. It's sure to be appreciated by those who love chestnuts. When you visit Kobuseido at Shinjuku Isetan, be sure to enjoy a special time of deliciousness and relaxation. You can spend a leisurely time enjoying the deliciousness and healing of Japanese sweets.

The chestnut sweet bean paste ohagi that went on sale from this day was quite small, like it was for two people. The mochi rice in the ohagi was a bit dry and hard. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator, so maybe that's why? The chestnut paste was sweet and had a good flavor. The small size makes it easy to eat one or two bites after a meal. At 540 yen, it's quite pricey, but I think it's better to have something bigger even if it's more expensive, or something cheaper. The monthly changing product calendar is fun. The Suzaku Mont Blanc will be on sale from August 23rd. There will also be a demonstration sale from the 16th to the 22nd.

When I go to Isetan Shinjuku, I always stop by the Nagano chestnut sweets shop! They have a monthly changing selection of sweets, which is fun to look forward to each month. Last time, I didn't buy anything, but I really enjoyed the canned water yokan that I received before. However, here at Isetan, they have their own special water yokan made with chestnuts! It's a unique size, not too big or too small. The staff members have lovely smiles, and they mentioned that the water yokan is made in Nagano the day before and will last until tomorrow. When I told them how much I enjoyed the canned water yokan, they said that the original version here is less sweet compared to the canned one. I prefer sweeter flavors, but my mother likes less sweetness, so we bought one of the less sweet versions. When we tried it, we found that it's best when chilled, with a refreshing taste that melts in your mouth quickly. It has a hint of chestnut flavor, but not too rich, staying true to the water yokan style. I could eat this all day! Personally, I still prefer the sweeter canned version, but my mother absolutely loved this one. They mentioned that the large Mont Blanc chestnut sweet will be available from September or October until March. The staff members always have lovely smiles and are very kind. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the delicious treat!

Located just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line/Fukutoshin Line, this shop is in the depachika (department store basement) of Shinjuku Isetan. I had always wanted to try the Suzaku Mont Blanc at the main store in Nagano, but I was delighted to find a shop here in Shinjuku Isetan. I purchased a box of assorted sweets, including chestnut kanten (agar jelly) and chestnut cake. The chestnut cake itself was delicious. It was well received as a New Year's gift.

At the end of the year, Shinjuku Isetan was very crowded for this purpose, but we only had to wait for 2 people. The chestnut paste for New Year's dishes was only available in 200-gram packs, with no option for buying by weight. There was no sweet potato in it, just chestnuts, which made it seem like a good deal for the price. The expiration date for tasting was until January 2nd, and canned versions would last longer. They also had chestnut sweet potato paste, which was refreshing and not too sweet, with large and soft chestnuts. The chestnut paste was a bit scarce, but fresh and not too sweet. After eating, the chestnut sweet potato paste had a light brown color, which may not look as appealing in the New Year's food box, but the inside of the container was silver, adding a touch of elegance. In terms of taste, I preferred this one over the usual sweet chestnut paste. It wasn't as sweet, and my family enjoyed it as well. It was quickly gone, and we had a delicious meal. Isetan store will have its New Year's sale starting from January 2nd.

When I stopped by last time, they had a new chestnut kanten (agar jelly) available for sale by weight, which is a seasonal item starting from December 14th. It's similar to the chestnut an (sweet bean paste) next to it, with a refreshing sweetness. It's perfect for New Year's dishes. The current one, like the one in the can, is a type with a strong sweetness. It costs 1318 yen for 200 grams, almost the same as the chestnut an. It's packed with lots of chestnuts! The shelf life is short. When eaten as is, it tastes like my favorite sweet chestnut kanten, but fresher than the can. It contains 8 chestnuts that are about 2.5 cm each! There's hardly any chestnut an (laughs). The chestnuts are quite refreshing, and they are delicious in their own way. I tried making chestnut zenzai (sweet red bean soup with mochi) with it. The sweetness is quite strong, so I added water twice and put in grilled mochi. It was a pity that the flavor became weaker. The chestnut an is sweet, but the chestnuts are not that sweet. The mochi was pre-cut vacuum-packed mochi, and it was delicious. I think it's better to have more chestnut an if making zenzai. I personally prefer to eat the chestnuts together with the chestnut an. The staff members are all kind and have lovely smiles. They gave me a schedule for December. Thank you for the delicious meal.

In the middle of Isetan in Shinjuku, I finally noticed a large Mont Blanc dessert that seemed popular. They were selling new chestnut paste by weight, in 100-gram units. I bought some and thought of making zenzai with it along with some mochi from Tsukigake Dango. The chestnut zenzai was delicious, with a fresh taste similar to the sweetness of Kobuse-do's chestnut sweets. I mixed 100 grams of the paste with about 105cc of water, added the mochi at the end, and made a serving of chestnut zenzai. The water might have been a bit too much, as the chestnut flavor was slightly diluted. Using 80-90cc of water would have been better. The mochi was tasty, but it was a shame that it didn't have the sweetness of chestnut syrup. Overall, the new chestnut paste was a lucky find in Shinjuku, and I recommend trying it as is or making simple chestnut zenzai at home. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I bought a 2000 yen Mont Blanc from Kobusedo at Isetan, but I didn't really like it. To be honest, the balance is off and I can't really taste the chestnut flavor. It's similar to the Mont Blanc I had at Hotel New Otani. As I eat more, it becomes painful.

After visiting Tsubura-no and Sasaya Iori in Shinjuku Gyoen, I went to Isetan Shinjuku to buy some dessert for dinner. I purchased the Suzaku Mont Blanc (2160 yen) from Kobusedo and enjoyed it at home. The Mont Blanc initially lacked the chestnut flavor, possibly because it was too cold from being in the refrigerator. However, as I reached the layer of chestnut cream in the middle of the whipped cream, the chestnut flavor became more pronounced and delicious. The red cassis in the middle added a mix of acidity and sweetness, enhancing the chestnut flavor even more. The dessert ended with a strong and delicious chestnut taste. I found myself wanting to enjoy freshly squeezed chestnut in Nagano again. Thank you for the meal. For more details, check out my blog "Eating, Taking Photos, Writing" at https://tabetorukaku.com/.

This is Suzaku. I wish it was a bit smaller because it doesn't have the acidity of cassis. I thought the chestnut flavor would be stronger. It has a taste that reminds me of soybean flour for some reason. The base tastes like a biscuit. It's a bit heavy, right? It's not too sweet, more like a Japanese confectionery than a Western one. It might be a bit pricey. Personally, I prefer their steamed chestnut yokan.

By the end of August, the talk of sweets made with chestnuts and hotel dessert buffets begins, making us look forward to the season of delicious chestnuts. Typically, in the last week of August, the sale of the "朱雀モンブラン" from Kobuse-do starts in Tokyo. In 2022, it was revealed that artisans will be demonstrating and selling the Mont Blanc at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store and Isetan Shinjuku Store. I visited Shinjuku on a Sunday morning around 11 am. Usually, after the release, there may be a ticket system, but on this day, it was quiet with no lines, and I could purchase it quickly. In Isetan Shinjuku, there is a shop called "Kobuse-do Shinjuku," where you can buy Kobuse-do's Japanese and Western sweets all year round. In 2022, from August 24th (Wednesday) to 30th (Tuesday), there will be a one-week limited demonstration sale of "朱雀モンブラン." There was a demonstration corner on the food floor in the basement, where an artisan was seen finishing the Mont Blanc. It takes about 2 and a half minutes to finish one piece. They fill the chestnut paste into the tart base, squeeze it vertically and horizontally, then shape it round with a spatula to finish it. Since it was not crowded, I watched the process while eagerly waiting. There seemed to be plenty of stock as many "朱雀モンブラン" were still in the refrigerated case. The two types sold at the venue were "朱雀モンブラン" and "chestnut paste." I wanted to try just the paste alone for the first time. Thanks to the smooth process, I was able to get the "朱雀モンブラン" without any trouble and brought it home to enjoy during afternoon tea. It was the same as last year, with a round dome-shaped case. The transparent chestnut paste was very beautiful. The Mont Blanc, shaped like a half dome, showed the artisan's careful work. You could see chestnut skin bits here and there. Looking from the top, you could see that it was a very neat circle. The filling of the Mont Blanc was of interest. Chestnut compote and custard cream were placed on the tart base, topped with chestnut paste, sponge, and whipped cream. Finally, chestnut paste was squeezed on top to finish it. There were some chestnut compote visible in the photo, and a large lump was found in a different part, with a few blackcurrants embedded in the tart base. When I tried it... the chestnut paste was smooth with a mild sweetness, allowing the rich chestnut flavor to come through. The overall sweetness was restrained, highlighting the goodness of the chestnut. This year's "朱雀モンブラン" had a small amount of blackcurrants, just a few grains, but it provided a nice accent. The amount of blackcurrants may vary from piece to piece. It had been a while since I had Kobuse-do's Mont Blanc, and as expected, it was delicious. I am now looking forward to my trip to Kobuse in September. As usual, I have made a reservation at "Masuichi Kyakuden" on the day of the "朱雀" opening, planning to taste the new chestnuts. I am looking forward to enjoying the chestnut sweets "朱雀" and the unique "Mont Blanc朱雀" that can only be found in Kobuse.

The "Kobuse-do" green plum costs 357 yen and has 253kcal per 100g. When cut in half, it looks like there are actual plum fruits inside. The smooth texture doesn't feel uncomfortable, and the white bean paste has a strong flavor that is different from the usual sweet taste. The chestnut paste inside is not too sweet, allowing you to enjoy the natural taste of chestnuts. It has a firm texture with a powerful chestnut flavor. It doesn't have a unpleasant sandy texture and you can clearly taste the chestnut, which is great. It's not too sweet but still satisfying. I won't necessarily go back for it, but it's definitely worth trying.

Kurashika no Ko Kashiwa Mochi is a May festival treat wrapped in white mochi with chestnut paste (containing chopped chestnuts). It is wrapped in oak leaves, symbolizing prosperity for descendants. Enjoy the unique Kashiwa Mochi from this chestnut confectionery shop. I preferred the Kurashika no Ko Kashiwa Mochi over the chestnut paste Kashiwa Mochi. The white mochi, like grass mochi, was slightly sweet and had a chewy texture that spread sweetness with each bite. While the chestnut paste Kashiwa Mochi left me wanting more chestnut flavor, the Kurashika no Ko Kashiwa Mochi provided a satisfying experience, allowing me to fully enjoy the chewy texture and sweetness of the chestnut paste.

Small Busshido: Chestnut Sweet Bean Paste Hyougashi ☑︎ 324 yen ☑︎ 100g per serving The dough was stored in the refrigerator but did not become too hard, which was a relief. When cut with a knife, it was a bit sticky but within an acceptable range. The scent of mugwort was not too strong, spreading just enough, and the chewy texture was characteristic. With plenty of chestnut sweet bean paste inside the dough, there was no feeling of being unsatisfied, and it was satisfying to eat even on its own.

Kuri-an sakuramochi from Kobushi-do is a type of sakuramochi with chestnut filling sandwiched between sakura leaves. It is a spring-like confectionery that can be enjoyed both in aroma and taste. It costs 324 yen per 100g and contains 165kcal. The thin dough with chestnut filling sandwiched between sakura leaves is a unique feature of this sakuramochi. When eaten with just the sakura leaves and dough, the dryness is not noticeable, and the soft and chewy texture is distinctive. Even without the chestnut filling, sakura sweets lovers may still find it satisfying. When eaten with the chestnut filling, dough, and leaves rolled together, each component stands out without overpowering the others, with the saltiness adding a nice touch. The sweetness is also elegant and easy to enjoy.

I prefer the Sakura mochi made with Domyoji flour at Kobushi-do out of the three types they offer. It's a sweet chestnut confection with plenty of chestnut paste inside. The mochi rice has a good texture, not too sticky, and pairs well with the slight saltiness from the leaf. The leaf is easy to eat along with the mochi. Unlike some other varieties, the leaf doesn't get in the way of the flavor. The chestnut paste in this mochi is rich and satisfying, without being overly sweet. It has a substantial weight to it, making it a true Kobushi-do chestnut treat.

Shogetsudo, a famous and beloved confectionery shop, had a limited edition cute treat for New Year's. It felt a bit sad to eat the tiger-shaped sweet, but it was delicious. I wonder if next year they will have rabbit-shaped sweets?

This is a review of "Kurikorogari" which is written as "Kanikari" in kanji. It contains chestnut paste, red bean paste, and starch. Kurikorogari has been around for a long time, and the packaging has evolved to prevent it from getting damp, as it is wrapped in Japanese paper. It is a nostalgic, simple, and elegant traditional Japanese sweet. It's a classic. This time, I received it as a gift.

In the past, Obuse in Nagano has been famous for its chestnut rice cakes, chestnut products, and chestnut soft serve ice cream. But who would have thought that Mont Blanc would become so popular here! During chestnut season, every year on TV, you see these limited-time, piled-high Mont Blanc desserts that make you want to try them, but waiting in line for hours is tough. However, I was surprised to find out that they were being sold at Isetan Shinjuku for a limited time. There were many other shops on the same floor with delicious chestnut products, but since I had come for this Suzaku Mont Blanc, I decided to splurge a bit and buy it. I had seen the price online, but I didn't expect it to be this big! It's impressive. I carefully brought it home, opened the lid, and was greeted by a fluffy chestnut aroma. It was so big that I couldn't finish it alone, so I shared it with my husband, but it was still huge. The chestnut aroma, not overly sweet Mont Blanc, and the cassis inside added a nice touch, and we devoured it in no time. Sweet and delicious desserts really make you feel happy. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

This year is also the season for chestnut sweets. Last year, I bought a Super Mont Blanc, but this year I bought the Suzaku Mont Blanc from Kobusedo. It was big, so my friend and I shared it. It's not too sweet, just the right amount of sweetness, so I could eat it all by myself. It's convenient that they have a store at Isetan since it's difficult to go to the main store. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.