如月 来夏
Since visiting in the heart of winter, I decided to make a return trip. I discovered they have a bold summer-only menu item where they dive taiyaki into soft serve ice cream. Sensing that summer was coming to an end, I rushed to try it out. I stopped by after having spaghetti at "Uncle Tom's," and without hesitation, I ordered the taiyaki soft serve. People were casually lingering around the shop, enjoying their taiyaki soft serves. With no seating available, I had to eat it right then and there. Among the top taiyaki shops that prioritize natural ingredients, this one also serves farmed taiyaki alongside the individually grilled natural ones. Despite being cooked all at once, the thin and crispy skin, along with the generously filled red bean paste, make it a delicious treat. The red bean paste can also be purchased separately. Perhaps due to the slower sales during the summer, customers were sparse. It was a far cry from the bustling winter scenes with long queues. The taiyaki soft serve, a clever idea, is a clear winner. I haven't seen this type of dessert at other shops. The taiyaki, fresh and hot from the cup, was simply delicious. I cautiously nibbled from the tail end, commenting on the heat, while licking the soft serve to cool off. Before I knew it, it was gone. The soft serve had a prominent milk flavor and was simply delightful. With a spoon provided on the cup, there was no risk of getting cream all over my clothes. Once I finished a portion of the taiyaki, I scooped out the red bean paste and mixed it with the soft serve, creating a delightful azuki bean ice cream. The threefold use of taiyaki, soft serve, and azuki ice cream was exemplary. Indeed, nothing beats freshly grilled taiyaki! The collaboration with chilled soft serve makes it a true champion. At 600 yen, it was a great deal. While there was a trend at one point of combining hot and cold elements in desserts, the contrast between the hot taiyaki and the icy soft serve directly enhances the deliciousness and happiness levels. I hope to see more of this kind of dessert in the future. Oh, summer is coming to an end... I will definitely come back next summer.