Milla’s London: Minamoto Kitchoan
Whenever I miss Tokyo, which seems to be a weekly feeling, this specialist Wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop is where I go. Not only is it authentic in its produce, the staff are all Japanese and I enjoy the opportunity to practice my Japanese with native speakers, who are polite enough not to mock me…
Served with complimentary green tea, Minamoto Kitchoan offers an array of Japanese treats for every palette. Pictured above is the classic Tsuya (two fluffy pancakes filled with sweetened azuki beans) and Shirogasane (similar pancakes filled with green tea paste). For anybody who has visited Japan, the Mayfair prices will shock you: £2 for 1 piece of mochi! Who on earth eats just 1 piece? Not me, that’s for sure. That said, life is about enjoying yourself and I will happily pay for my favourite Yatsuhashi – less expensive than a return ticket to Kyoto! The Japanese excel at presentation as is evident with the exquisite packaging, making for a lovely present.
Minamoto Kitchoan
44 Piccadilly
London
W1J 0DS
+44 (0) 20 7437 3135
Mmm.. those foodie’s look so adorable.. with that lovely decorations.. almost too beautiful to eat! xo
Yes, almost!
xx
I haven’t tried a lot of Japanese desserts, but they look delicious! They aren’t common here in Malaysia.
However, I do LOVE mochi and it’s preposterous that they’re charging £2 per piece! You can never have just ONE piece.
As long as you like rice, aduki beans and green tea, you’ll find a dessert you enjoy. Mochi is common is Malaysia? I didn’t realise that!
How interesting and beautiful everything looks!
Which japanese cakes are your favorites? Which do you recommend for “beginners”?
Have you ever been to Toraya, the japanese tea salon close to Place Vendôme? They got japanese cakes like that too.
Thanks Nina – Japanese things are always presented so well.
My favourite are called “Yatsuhashi” – they originate from Kyoto.
Yes, I’ve been to Toraya. Very pretty but I was a little disappointed by no Japanese staff. That said, what I tasted was very good!
yummmmm, i just love all of these little treats! and the packaging is always exquisite! my family and i have these w. green tea all the time. i would love to visit japan again
xoxo
Which part of Japan did you visit? Isn’t green tea the best?
x
Love the way everything is placed so neatly in those little boxes just so! Beautiful!
Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
The Japanese are masters at presentation – perfection!
Oh yes yes!!! this is great. I love Japanese food, especially in a Teppanyaki restaurant, the chef preparing the delicious small dishes right at front of us. Eating with chop sticks. This is my way of spending a lovely evening, such a pleasure!
Audreyx
Exactly – there’s something about watching a chef cook in front of you which is so appealing. Yum!
You have the perfect way for dealing with a little bit of sickness for another country or culture. Something I need to deal with more in NYC, finding little European hideaways…
I think we have to find a way because otherwise a wee bit of sadness can consume us. There are dozens of European, particularly French, attractions in NYC. Let me know how you get on.
wow, this looks yum! i love Japanese desserts too!!!=D but what the heck? 2 pound for 1 mochi? that is soo crazy! lol….
and i agree with you, Japanese do it best when it comes to packaging and presentation skills. I remember in high school we had loads of Japanese students and their lunch boxes were impeccable and beautifully presented. of course i was majorly jealous too!!! haha
Btw, you speak Japanese milla? let me try a bit for fun. Watashi wa Cindy dess…lol
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
とても美味しそう！！この季節の和菓子、とてもよいですね。そろそろ、桜のシーズン。桜をモチーフにした和菓子も増えてきましたね。私はよくお抹茶を点て和菓子と一緒に、よく休日を過ごします。
「願わくば 花の下にて 春死なん その如月の 望月のころ」。MIllaさんのブログを見ていたらそんな気持ちになってしまいました。
ありがとうございました。お褒めにあずかって光栄です。桜のシーズンはすばらしい。
すぐに戻ってね。