Must-Eat Foods in Japan — Sweets Edition: Part 2 of 3

Date: 2018-08-02

Japan's Parfait Culture

The Japanese parfait is its own category — not the French parfait, not the American sundae. It arrived in Japan via both, but evolved into something distinct: a tall glass construction of ice cream, jelly, fruit, cream, cake, and various textures, served in cafés and kissaten (traditional coffee shops) across the country. Revolving sushi restaurants now offer surprisingly good ones too.

On my most recent trip, I visited with my daughter — which meant more desserts than usual, and significantly more parfaits. Her reasoning: you can only eat these in Japan, so you have to eat them here. We did.

Sembikiya's Melon Parfait

Sembikiya is one of Japan's most famous fruit specialists — known since the Meiji era for exceptional quality. Their melon parfait is built around Japan's premium melon: sherbet, jelly, fresh flesh, and sauce, layered with cream. Less ice cream than most parfaits, which makes it lighter and easier to finish. The glassware has a classic, almost nostalgic look.

Japanese melon is in a different category from anything available in the UK. This parfait shows it properly.

Royal Milk Tea Parfait — Tea Room Lipton, Sanjo Kyoto

The original Royal Milk Tea (a preparation not found in the UK despite the name) was popularised in Japan by Lipton. The Tea Room Lipton in Kyoto's Sanjo shopping arcade is the home of this drink, and their parfait is built entirely around it: ice cream, jelly, cake — all flavoured with Royal Milk Tea.

For tea drinkers: this is a must. Even people who don't usually like sweet things finish it without difficulty. It is genuinely delicious.

Tea Room Lipton exists only in Kyoto, with three locations. The Sanjo Honten (main store on Sanjo shopping street) is the original. Full savoury meals are also available — lunch followed by a parfait is a complete afternoon.

Frozen Mango Yoghurt Jar Cake — Cafe Enzo, Warabi (Saitama)

My daughter found this on Instagram and insisted we make the trip. Cafe Enzo is 10 minutes' walk from Warabi Station (near Kawaguchi, Saitama) — a small shop at the edge of a quiet shopping street near the station. They also serve burgers and taco rice, and are open late into the evening, which makes them good for groups.

On a hot summer day, the frozen mango was refreshing and sharp. Served in a Mason jar — a presentation style that is, apparently, popular worldwide at the moment. The combination of frozen mango and yoghurt was excellent.

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