The most enjoyable part about traveling is the vast array of cultures that goes so deep and unique leaving your vacation as a learning dock to appreciate others traditions. So, what is the meaning of your life if you did not include trying traditional Japanese dessert while you are in Japan?
Foods play a significant part in one's culture, just like japan with their authentic and unique blend of cookery and sweets confectioneries that you simply cannot miss while you are in the country, visiting. But of course, as a Muslim that took a Halal food status strictly, we sometimes always need to do a little bit of homework about foods that we can indulge in or the one we should avoid while we are traveling to the non-Islamic country.
Even though Japan nowadays is very Muslims friendly with many Halal restaurants, it does not guarantee as to the best place to satisfy your cravings. Thus, I am here, at your service ready to dive into the top-notch place for local traditional Japanese dessert that you must try while visiting Tokyo, that is not only Muslim friendly but also is tastiness approved! So, you don't have to worry about non-halal ingredients like alcohol or animal derivatives.
- TAIYAKI
Credit : Aroimakmak.com
The most popular one of all for snacking. And can be found on almost every corner on the street in Japan. Taiyaki is also known as a fish-shaped pancake that is filled with Anko (red bean paste). It is very popular during the colder month as it is often prepared on the spot and served warm. Made with flour, egg and red bean paste, with a texture like ‘bahulu’. Nowadays, taiyaki is being stuffed with matcha ice cream making it a perfect summer street snack.
Naniwaya Sohenten is the only place where you can enjoy the most original Taiyaki as this is the place where the snack was born, a hundred years ago! Naniwaya Sohenten is also the most popular store for taiyaki being that it has a thin and crispy layer with soft gooey fillings, as opposed to a regular taiyaki that is a little too thick and spongey. Try imagining our favorite kaya ball but in fish shape!
| Address: |
1-8-14 Azabujudan, Minato, Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
11am - 7pm
(Closed on Tuesdays and the 3rd Wednesday of the month) |
| Access: |
4 minute walk from Azabu-juban Station
|
- MOCHI
Credit: minato.com.sg
Presently you can find mochi everywhere in Malaysia. But! Most of them are usually confused with daifuku. Mochi is in fact a sticky glutinous rice cake that is served by lightly toasting it and is eaten with dark sugar syrup or kinako (roasted soybean syrup) to sweeten it. It is common to find a shop that sells mochi in almost every corner in Japan. But, if you appreciate a good, high-quality dessert, you can never go wrong with Seigetsudo, the best specialty mochi shops in Ginza, Tokyo.
| Address: |
7-16-15 Ginza Chuo Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Monday to Friday
9:30 am - 7 pm and 11 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
9:30 am - 6 pm
Closed on Sundays & Holidays |
| Access: |
5 min. walk from Higashi-Ginza Station
13 min. walk from Shimbashi Station |
- DAIFUKU
Credit: Daily Hive
Daifuku is a fancy mochi that is traditionally stuffed with Anko. Another version of it is that it is filled with fresh strawberry, apricot jam, chestnut puree, coffee or caramel. Compared to the regular mochi, daifuku is much bigger in size – almost the size of a fist. And the most popular one that is a must-have is from Mizuho that sells the best daifuku in town.
| Address: |
6-8-7 Jingumae Shibuya Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Monday to Saturday
8:30 am until sold out |
| Access: |
2 min. walk from Meiji-jingumae Station |
- DORAYAKI
Credit: Johnny Times
How can I leave dorayaki out when it is not only Doraemon’s favorite but also a national treasure. This classic fluffy pancake is made with honey, flour, egg, and Anko. Its two spongey sweet layers are stuffed with gooey and soft Anko fillings, making it the best to have every hour of the day.
The popular shop to have authentic, handmade dorayaki is Seijuken. Their dorayaki is very moist, and they are generous with the fillings. The best time to grab dorayaki or two from Seijuken is in the morning or early afternoon as it typically gets sold out quickly.
| Address: |
1-6-1 Nihonbashihoridomecho Chuo-ku Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Mon-Fri
9:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sat, Sun and National Holidays |
| Access: |
5min walk from Tokyo Metro / Toei Ningyocho station |
- ANMITSU
Credit: TripAdvisor
Anmitsu is a parfait type of dessert but without the layering involve. It is served in a bowl with a combination of small jelly cube, Anko, fresh fruit, ice cream, and mochi, with a drizzled of kuromitsu, a dark sugar syrup.
These days, animitsu ingredients can be chosen from honey, different flavors ice cream, mochi and wide selections of fresh fruits. With that being said, hurry and drag your sweet tooth to the most popular mouth-watering anmitsu in Tokyo. Located in front of Ueno Park, Mihashi Ueno Honten is a shop that is specializing in amazing flavored anmitsu to quench your hot summer parched.
| Address: |
4-9-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Monday – Sunday
10:30am – 9:30pm |
| Access: |
Directly infront of Ueno park |
- WAGASHI
Credit: Cookly
Many of you might be familiar with this particular dessert. It is an emoji! Wagashi is a delicate and special dessert that is being served during special occasion like a tea ceremony. Wagashi consist of simple elegant shape that revolves around the simplicity and beauty of the seasons. And also handmade by a skilled wagashi master, making it a bit on the pricier side. This stunning work of arts is not only beautiful enough to bring home as a present but also delicious and packed with unique flavor from a sweet bean paste and white bean paste.
The best place to have this gem is the specialty shop, Gunrindo. One of the best wagashi shop in Tokyo that crafted this delicate dessert to perfection. Not only that, it came in a pretty box that definitely a plus for Instagram worthy picture after spending big bucks on it.
| Address: |
2-1-2 Otowa, Bunkyo City, Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Monday – Sunday
9:30am – 5pm |
| Access: |
Gokokuji Station 2 minutes walk |
- MANJU
Credit: asakusa.japan
Manju is a steamed or fried bun filled with matcha or Anko paste. It is similar to Chinese pao or mantao bun. Besides the sweet fillings, manju also available in savory fillings, like beef and pork. The best about Kokonoe is that this shop does not sell savory manju that can be quite doubtful when it comes to eating Halal. With the wide variety of flavor like pumpkin, sweet potato, sakura, and sesame, the people of Kokonoe really know what they are doing. This bun is also available in steamed or deep-fried choice. My mouth is definitely watering just by typing about it.
| Address: |
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo |
| Opening Hours: |
Monday –Sunday
9:30am – 7pm |
| Access: |
A walking distance from Sensoji temple |
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