19 hours ago
We ranked 5 popular Asian-inspired mousse cakes at a Hampton Roads tea and coffee shop
These Asian-inspired fun treats might ease the pain for adults and children facing back-to-school.
Joyu Tea & Coffee, a regional coffee shop specializing in Vietnamese phin coffee and tea, rolled out a line of adorable mousse cakes in July. Owner Khoa Luong said they'll stay on the menu, though the flavors might change depending on customer demand.
These Cakeian Cuties are pleasing to the eye, airy and not too sweet. They are, however, pricey.
The Pink Fluff Bunny was sold out during my visit to the Buckner Boulevard location, near Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach. But I snagged five others and ranked them in order of most to least favorable. The top three could've easily tied for No. 1 — I'm just saying.
The Matcha & Raspberry Mousse reigned supreme. I'm a green powdery tea fan, so call me biased. The earthiness paired well with the sweetness, and once I got to the gelled raspberry center, a smidge of tartness reared its head. Exquisite.
The Peach Mousse looked like the fruit: round and fuzzy. The first bite — smooth like a talker — had me reconsidering my first choice and going in for more. This one didn't last long after I took it home.
I devoured the Coco Mango Mousse at the coffee shop. It resembled a boiled egg with a chocolate outer shell. Layers of velvety coconut cream and the mango puree center excited my taste buds, and the thin pistachio cookie underneath added a solid texture for a complete dessert experience.
The Lemon Mousse arrived without the green stem shown on the menu, but that didn't bother me. It delivered on flavor without being overpowering. This would please lemon lovers.
I gave the Strawberry Bear Mousse, the most popular cake, a 10 out of 10 on my imaginary cuteness scale. The pink, textured creature appeared to be sleeping peacefully; I didn't want to disturb it. That lasted three seconds. I started with its legs and then moved my way up.
Unfortunately it fell flat on taste, but I still finished it later. The berry notes were faint, and the tanginess — similar to a cream cheese — confused my palate. Luong assured me it wasn't made with cream cheese, though it was made with cream. It was bear-able but not the best.
Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809,
Where: 3545 Buckner Blvd. and 1045 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach; 109 Marketplace Drive, Hampton
Prices: $8.55 to $9.98
Details:
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