📍Japan Hiroshima Miyajima
Famous snack on Miyajima | Incredibly delicious momiji manju 🍁⛩️
On the Omotesando shopping street in Miyajima, there are many shops selling momiji manju, and most of them have been automated. Watching the machines make the maple leaf-shaped buns is very therapeutic 🤩
This shop is the most famous, Momiji-dō. Besides selling freshly fried momiji manju, they also offer delicately packaged non-fried souvenirs, but be careful as their shelf life is not long.
🍁 Freshly fried momiji manju (¥200):
You queue to use the ordering machine for payment, then after receiving your ticket, you go to the counter to order your flavor directly from the staff.
If the flavor you want happens to be sold out, you'll receive a maple leaf-shaped number tag and wait a bit.
I didn't have high expectations when I first tried the momiji manju, thinking it would just be a filled sponge cake 😆 but I was blown away when I finally tasted it!!
The warm, freshly fried texture, the outer shell was incredibly crispy, and the filling to shell ratio was just right—not too sweet, very delicious 😋
I ended up ordering all five flavors to try 😂 (sorted according to my preference):
🧀 Cheese: First place! The cheese is melted, blending into the cake, giving it a slightly salty overall flavor, very tasty.
🍋 Setouchi Lemon: A rare sour flavor, it pairs well with this type of sponge cake and the crispy outer texture.
🍵 Matcha: The filling has a thicker texture, and the matcha flavor is quite pronounced! Not sweet.
🧈 Custard: A typical cream flavor.
🫘 Red Bean: Although it’s not as sweet as other red bean fillings in Japan, the greasy feeling from the crispy outer shell is a bit too strong.
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Would I visit again: Yes!
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Notes:
🔸 Freshly fried momiji manju only accepts cash.
🔸 The souvenir packaging can use various payment methods.
🔅Actual visit date: 2024/11/23
*Photos are not to be reproduced or used for commercial purposes without permission.
▪️Butter $30
▪️Salted egg yolk taro puree $50
This place is quite popular with many people queuing. Watching the production on-site is very soothing, and there are many flavors to choose from. The servings are pretty big. We ordered the butter and salted egg yolk taro puree. The taro puree was average; I thought the salted egg yolk wasn't particularly delicious, but it wasn't bad either. However, I really liked the butter! It has the common creamy taste and isn't too sweet. Both options come with a good amount of filling, overall it’s quite nice for a snack. It’s a good option if you're stopping at a rest area.
Review from a person with braces: There are many sinks outside on the first floor.
This shop sells "dapan" (large pancakes) and is located on the second floor of the Qingshui Service Area, across from 7-11, and can be seen as you come up the stairs. Business is pretty good on holidays, so you might need to wait in line.
The flavors offered include taro salted egg yolk (50 TWD), cheese (45 TWD), butter (30 TWD), cranberry butter (33 TWD), red bean (30 TWD), and chocolate (30 TWD), and they also sell some drinks.
We ordered two butters and two taro salted egg yolks. The combination of the taro salted egg yolk is quite special—sweet and salty, which goes well together; the butter is a more common flavor. The dapan is slightly larger than the usual wheel cakes, and overall, it's pretty good—suitable for a snack at the rest stop!
📍Japan, Nara
Super high-speed freshly made Q mochi 🍡🌱
Nakatani-do in Nara is located at the end of the Higashi-muki shopping street and is a popular spot recommended by many travel websites. The highlight is the high-speed mochi-making performance that attracts the attention of tourists.
When I passed by that day, the previous performance had just ended, and I wasn’t particularly craving mochi, fearing the filling might be too sweet. Before I knew it, I found myself drawn to the queue of people and got in line 😆
The line moved quickly!
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Order items
🫘 Mugwort red bean filling mochi (¥200):
They sell it for immediate consumption (wrapped simply in paper) and in boxed form; both options are priced the same.
I highly recommend having one fresh out of the preparation; you’ll get a warm mochi that has just been made.
Taking a bite was truly amazing!
It was my first time experiencing a mochi skin with such a light texture. Unlike many that leave a heavy feeling in the mouth and are really chewy, the mochi here can be chewed just a couple of times before swallowing. With a hint of mugwort fragrance, it is super delicious~
The red bean filling is also cooked quite soft, without any grainy texture, and the flavor isn’t overly sweet.
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Would I visit again: Yes!
Surprisingly delicious 😋
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Note:
🔸 Cash only 💰
【Taoyuan/Delivery】NONO Pastry Workshop
The boss is a very easygoing person.
He enjoys experimenting with new items, and each dessert has its own unique characteristics.
I truly recommend everything 🤤 You can check the item descriptions below for my insights.
Some desserts are not suitable for delivery to other counties and cities.
However, there are two seats available on-site, so if you have the chance to go to Taoyuan, you can dine in.
You can also watch the boss make desserts through the glass (?
If you're interested, you can make a reservation in advance to avoid discovering on-site that something is sold out or has been reserved by someone else that day.
Additionally, they accept orders for wedding cake gift boxes, full moon gift boxes, corporate orders... and other bulk orders (I'll let you in on a secret: you can ask about urgent orders too; the boss works super fast...)
◽ Pistachio Strawberry Mille-Feuille✨ $220 (I realized afterward that I didn't take a picture)
＞ This combines two very popular ingredients right now - pistachio whipped cream with a different filling that's thicker; the surface of the mille-feuille is caramelized to a crispy texture, and we choose strawberries (or raspberries) according to the suitable origin based on the climate. Any that aren't sold on the day have to be discarded... If you see it, you have to buy it!
◽ Earl Grey Chestnut Fresh Cream Roll✨ $165 per piece
＞ Made with Japanese fresh cream air-freighted to Taiwan every week, it's refreshing in taste. The cake has a distinct Earl Grey fragrance and a higher proportion of egg yolks, plus honey for fluffiness and softness. At the top, there's Mont Blanc chestnut filling and candied chestnuts, with chunks of chestnut mixed into the fresh cream roll; only the candied chestnuts are particularly sweet, and the cake and whipped cream don’t become cloying; it's a well-layered combination.
◽ Wagashi Sugar Pudding✨ $90 (I took it to-go)
＞ Uses the highest grade of sugar in Japan—sanbon sugar, generously adding vanilla pods to enhance the overall aroma. The texture is similar to crème brûlée, delicate and melts in your mouth, with caramel that is pleasantly bittersweet!
◽ Original Layered Egg Tart✨ $90 (Pistachio flavor available for $120)
＞ I love hearing about layered egg tarts; the sound they make when peeled apart is super crisp! The filling is smooth, with vanilla seeds settled at the bottom. There is less stock available before public holidays, so remember to reserve in advance!
Here are some recommendations for room temperature snacks✨
◽ Assorted Romia Cookies
＞ Contains three flavors: original, Earl Grey, and cocoa. These are handmade cookies made with quality ingredients, thin and crispy, with a hint of sweetness. The middle uses caramel almonds, adding some texture. There are also individually sold flavors in small jars!
◽ Salt Flower Chocolate
＞ Also handmade cookies, they have a rich bite to them, and the added salt enhances the cocoa aroma.
◽ Berry Snowballs
＞ Round shapes with a crispy texture, coated in strawberry powder, offering a bit of sourness that is quite refreshing.
◽ Pearl Sugar Puffs
＞ Mini puffs! They are crispy and just right for a single bite (if you eat these while binge-watching, you might end up finishing them all...).
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📍 No. 495-3, Minsheng Road, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City
☎️ 03 335 1212
⏰ 13:00–19:00 (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
🚌 Bus Stop Name: Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation
🅿️ Street parking spaces, Times Taoyuan Dahua 8th Street parking lot
🍩 A traditional candy shop from Kagoshima, exclusively demonstrating freshly baked donuts
In Hakata Nakasu, it's easy to be drawn to this steamed bun shop, which actually originates from Kagoshima. The most famous item here is the steamed bun made with Kagoshima ingredients (different from Taiwanese buns, it has a texture similar to steamed cake).
The highlight of the Nakasu store is that you can see the freshly baked donuts being made on-site; they are still hot when you get them, with a dense, old-fashioned taste.
Additionally, you can also purchase "Kyakuran Somen," which is recognized as one of Japan's three famous sweets. Despite its name including "somen" (noodles), it's actually a sweet treat with a strong egg aroma.
Although the business is thriving and many people come to buy it in boxes, I personally am not quite accustomed to the texture and flavor of the famous steamed buns. I also prefer the crispy texture of fried donuts, so I wouldn't particularly recommend it.
Braces Person Review: Clean Independent Restroom Recommended
During this trip to Japan, to make up for the regrets from my last visit, my friend and I specially lined up to dine at the restaurant as soon as it opened. This place is quite popular and there’s usually a long wait during meal times; in fact, some dishes even sell out early, so arriving early was definitely a wise choice. This time we ordered the following dishes:
Shrimp & Dill Cream Sauce Pasta (¥1210)
This creamy pasta paired with shrimp and dill is simply perfect, with a fragrant aroma. The noodles are chewy and well-coated with sauce, and when paired with the accompanying bread, each bite is rich and satisfying.
Fruits Fruits Mille Crepe (¥2076)
This mille crepe features strawberries, oranges, kiwis, mangoes, and bananas. Each layer of fruit offers a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors, and the whipped cream is perfectly proportioned, not overwhelming. The fruits are fresh and juicy, making each bite a delightful surprise, especially for fruit lovers.
Shine Muscat Mille Crepe (¥2178)
The natural sweetness of Shine Muscat grapes permeates each layer of crepe, accompanied by light whipped cream, providing a refreshing and not overly sweet experience. The grape aroma and sweetness blend perfectly, making this mille crepe a dream choice for dessert lovers.
Beverages
The coffee latte and English milk tea that accompany the meals, although standard in performance, fit well with the strong contrast between the main dishes and desserts, serving as a nice buffer during the meal.
Overall, the meal cost a total of 5599 yen. The exquisite dishes, paired with a comfortable atmosphere, made the overall experience quite worthwhile. Especially the mille crepe, whether it's the grape or the fruit version, leaves a lasting impression. Next time I come to Japan, this restaurant will definitely be on my must-visit list again!
🔅 Actual Dining Date: 2024/10/18
I had never tried this must-eat mille crepes in Tokyo, and this time I was determined to try it! Due to the schedule, I couldn’t dine in, and I visited for takeout around 3 p.m. on that Friday. There were about 10 groups waiting to dine in. Below are the items I took out.
▪️ Mille Crepes ¥980
The cake itself was quite large. According to the description, it consists of six layers of crepes (with five layers of fruit), primarily seasonal fruits. Bananas and kiwis seemed to be the standard, and in addition to those, there were also two layers of cantaloupe; the other layer I can’t recall. Overall, the taste was dominated by the fragrance and sweetness of cantaloupe, paired with fresh cream, making it very smooth! Unlike the currently popular A-line mille crepes, Harbs barely uses sour fruits, but it’s not overly sweet either (I do have a sweet tooth).
▪️ Pear Pie ¥830
Since I came all the way here, it would have been a pity to just get one item, so after much deliberation, I chose this one (though all the other cakes looked good too...). The pears on top had a sugared feel, not too sweet or sour, with a great texture and generous portion. What surprised me the most was how delicious and fragrant their pie crust was!
Overall, I quite liked this mille crepe shop. The fruit was very sweet and fragrant, and the fresh cream was smooth. The pie was also nice. It’s a pity that I couldn’t dine in because it seems like the dine-in atmosphere would add to the experience. I would love to try other cake flavors next time!
📍 Kamakura Chacha Komachi Street
🔅 Actual Visit Date: 2024/10/16
How can you visit Japan and not have matcha? This time, I visited the famous Komachi Street near Kamakura Station. I checked out several places but ended up trying two. One of them had 3 branches as I walked from Kamakura (if I remember correctly?) and I had an ice cream there.
▪️Premium Unique Flavored Matcha Soft Serve ¥690
Personally, I found it smooth with just the right concentration of matcha—not too bitter. If I were to rate it on a scale of 1 to 7 from my past matcha experiences, I'd say it's between 4 and 5. They don't sprinkle too much matcha powder on top, which prevents it from being too overpowering.
On that weekday just before noon, there was only one person working, so if there's a crowd, you might have to wait a bit after ordering. There's a small seating area to enjoy the ice cream, and trash bins are available. After walking around for a while, it's quite nice to grab one and enjoy the air conditioning. I heard their panna cotta is famous, but we had other plans, so I didn't buy it. Later, I found out they offer samples, but it was a Japanese person purchasing at the time (you have to ask for it 🥹).
Overall, they offer many convenient payment methods, and the seating area is nice. The matcha is tasty and smooth. The downside is that the wafer is quite ordinary, which is a bit disappointing. But as for the soft serve itself, it wasn't particularly astonishing—maybe because I've come to expect that you can't really go wrong with Japanese matcha.
🌸 Enjoy "Umegae Mochi", a special product of Dazaifu Tenmangu, at a luxurious Japanese confectionery shop. It also makes a great souvenir!
When visiting Dazaifu, everyone is sure to try Umegae Mochi, a confection said to have been offered to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning at Tenmangu Shrine in ancient tales. With dozens of shops selling it along the approach to the shrine, I was attracted to this trendy and upscale-looking store when facing a choice dilemma.
Although the store has a subtle luxurious feel, the price of Umegae Mochi is the same as at other stores, 150 yen. Despite the name containing "ume" (plum), there are no plums used in the ingredients 😂. Made with Japanese glutinous rice and red bean paste from Hokkaido, it's freshly grilled with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior, exuding a nostalgic flavor that's enjoyable every day!
This shop also uniquely offers a refreshing "Plum Cider", made with plum syrup created by students from Fukuoka Agricultural High School using plums from Dazaifu. The weather was quite hot that day, and about half the people chose to buy it.
They also offer a six-piece souvenir package, perfect for taking home to share if you're leaving the country on the same day! Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience it this time, but on the 17th and 25th of each month, they have special one-day limited flavors, with different packaging and shopping bags. Don't miss it if you happen to visit on those dates!