Japan and sweets: a perfect match. Here is the ranking of the sweetest and tastiest snacks you can try in Tokyo!
Tokyo is a fascinating megacity, a city full of always new stimuli also on the food side. Fashions change, clubs and restaurants move frequently and this makes living this great nerve center even more exciting (even if only for the time of a holiday).
In Tokyo, you can eat at any time, in most of its boundless neighborhoods. The way in which the Japanese take care of every detail of the preparation of food products, also as regards the image, will make it even more difficult for you to give up a stop, during the various daily movements, and carve out time for a delicious snack in the city .
And when we talk about a snack in Japan, I assure you that the conversation becomes serious, tasty and… caloric! You will not be disappointed. Here are mine five sweet snacks favorite in Tokyo.
1. Rainbow Pancake's delicious pancakes
The pancakes are not Japanese, but I assure you that the Japanese version of these famous sweets is not to be missed. Tall, soft and always neat in display: the Japanese version of pancakes is so good that it melts in your mouth! Rainbow Pancake is a small place located in Shibuya, near Omotesando. When you have almost reached it, with google maps in hand, remember to look up (many clubs in Tokyo are located on the second-third floor of the buildings). Climb the stairs, admire the rainbow and let yourself be delighted by the fantastic offers described in the Rainbow Pancake menu: choosing will not be easy! The service is very rigorous and the atmosphere is really relaxing, as soon as you sit down they will bring you water flavored with orange or ginger: disaffecting and with a particular taste.
For your first visit I advise you not to miss the Classic Pancake with a combination of maple syrup and ice cream or the Milk Pancake, served with delicious warm and creamy fiordilatte cream.
The greediest and hungry will not be able to miss the Rainbow Pancake (from which the place takes its name). The fruit and cream garnish is perfect and abundant, the flavor of this dessert is delicious.
Accompany your snack with a simple black coffee or a fresh drink (ginger, tea, orange) and your gourmet break will be nothing short of perfect.
2. Totti Candy Factory: giant cotton candy
Cotton candy is more than just a snack for children, for many people it is a real passion. Cotton candy binds perfectly with the memory of childhood, of parties in the square and of summer and carefree evenings. Lovers of this soft dessert will necessarily have to plan a stop at the Totti Candy Factory, at the very beginning of the splendid and colorful Takeshita Street, Harajuku. Again, remember to look up, to enter this cotton candy factory, you will have to climb a ladder. There will probably be a wait for a few minutes in line: take the opportunity to clarify your ideas and choose the sugary version that is right for you. I advise you to try the at least once in your life Rainbow Cotton Candy: colorful and giant! The more romantics can instead opt for theHeart Shaped Cotton Candy, slightly smaller but equally exquisite.
If you are scared of the idea of handling such a large cotton candy, don't worry, the Japanese always think of everything: you will have gloves to wear to eat without fear of messing your hands; there is also a reserved space to enjoy your snack with the other cotton candy eaters; finally, once finished, a person in charge will show you where to throw gloves and stick: perfect, right?
3. The best Melonpan in Tokyo
Melonpan is a typical Japanese baked dessert, covered with crunchy biscuit. It gets its name from the resemblance to cantaloupe melon, but it's not actually melon flavored.
In Asakusa, just behind the Senso-ji temple, is theAsakusa Kagetsudo Honten where you can enjoy the best melonpan in Tokyo. First of all try a pure melonpan, without filling, and savor the fine taste of freshly baked cake, for breakfast or snack. Obviously I also recommend that you leave a space for the melonpan filled with vanilla ice cream: the contrast between the warmth of sweet bread and the freshness of ice cream will leave you speechless!
4. Taiyaki: tradition and delight
Always walking around Asakusa, the most traditional district of Tokyo, you can also try taiyaki: a small Japanese cake in the shape of a fish widespread in the city. It is not uncommon to find food in the shape of animals, cartoon characters or cute things (kawaii) in general in Japan.
The traditional filling of this cake is anko: a sugary paste of azuki beans. But it will not be difficult to find other versions, I highly recommend the taiyaki filled with cream: a real treat!
5. The most popular break: Matcha Ice Cream
When you are in Tokyo, you will realize almost immediately how widespread the Matcha: a variety of green tea that the Japanese love and consume in large quantities, every day. Matcha green tea (hot or cold) will accompany your daily meals, but remember to also treat yourself to a sweet break, like a real Japanese, with Matcha ice cream. Velvety and fresh, this is definitely the number one ice cream flavor in Japan. It is so popular that you will find it practically everywhere, even in subway stations. In addition to the classic ice cream, you can also try the Milkshake or Matcha Latte (both hot and cold).
