ねこ在中
Today was hot, and I had been craving ice cream all day. I had been curious about the foreign tourists and students sitting in front of the shop and eating ice cream, so I finally decided to visit. I quickly chose the most rich and luxurious Matcha flavor, No.7. While I was unsure about what to pair it with, the seasonal limited edition flavor of Kinako (roasted soybean flour) with walnuts caught my attention. I ordered a double cone of Kinako with walnuts (seasonal limited edition) and No.7, totaling 730 yen plus an additional 100 yen for the seasonal flavor.
No.7 had a strong texture and indeed a rich Matcha flavor! It had a slight sweetness but also a hint of bitterness, so pairing it with the sweeter Kinako with walnuts was the right choice. The Kinako flavor was authentic and delicious, with plenty of walnuts for a nice crunchy texture. No.7 uses Matcha that is three times more expensive than others, which is reflected in the price. Next time, I might go for a less bitter option.
The shop also offers other flavors like Japanese black tea, red bean milk, black sesame, new tea, roasted green tea, and strawberry, among others.
I also tried the soft cookie for 130 yen, which had a typical margarine flavor that lasted throughout. It wasn't bad, but it didn't stand out from the usual souvenirs.
The pie manju for 150 yen was crispy when warmed up, with a flaky pie crust that was quite oily but paired well with the Matcha red bean filling. It reminded me of Nakamuraya's Usoawase pie manju but with a thicker crust.
The pound cake for 240 yen had a simple taste, with a margarine flavor instead of butter. The red bean filling was delicious.
They also offer baked goods, chocolates, cookies, cup ice creams, cream daifuku, roll cakes, tea leaves, and more. Some items require refrigeration, while others do not. They cater to both immediate consumption and souvenirs that can last.
Overall, the gelato is recommended. The higher the Matcha concentration, the firmer the texture, as explained by the staff. The Kinako with walnuts was quite soft, and it melted quickly, even though it was 19 degrees Celsius when I ate it. That's just the nature of gelato.
I'll definitely be back soon, probably in the summer when I won't even have time to take photos before it melts. ☻♪