Latest news with #YukimiDaifuku
SoraNews24
24-05-2025
- Business
- SoraNews24
Japan's favorite ramen chain is vanishing from Tokyo, but its ramen sauce ice cream is a must-try
We visit a local store to show support and end up falling in love with a bizarre dessert. While ramen chain Ichiran often dominates social media feeds, it is Tenkaippin (literally 'best product under the heavens'), with its famously thick and rich ('kotteri') broth that holds the title of Japan's most popular ramen chain. So, you can imagine our shock when we learned that many of the stores in Tokyo are set to close on June 30. According to a news report, the stores that will be closing include: Shibuya, Shinjuku West Exit, Ikebukuro West Exit, Tamachi, Meguro, Kichijoji, Kamata, Kawasaki, Ofuna, and Omiya East Exit. Being a regular source of sustenance for some of our reporters, we became worried about the possible implications of this news, fearing this might be a sign of more closures to come. Feeling compelled to do something to help, we set out to a nearby store in Nakano in a show of support for the chain, and to get a good meal while we were there. However, we weren't prepared for our surprise encounter with a dessert that had quite an unusual pairing with ramen sauce. Sitting in the restaurant, our eyes were drawn to a poster that raised many questions when we read it. The name of the product, Kotteri Yukimi, seemed self-explanatory: Tenkaippin often uses the word 'kotteri' in its product names to refer to its rich broth, and 'yukimi' elicits the image of ice cream covered in a thin, chewy, rice cake layer, due to a popular Japanese ice cream dessert called Yukimi Daifuku. So far, so good, but looking at the picture and an accompanying note in the corner, it encourages pouring ramen sauce onto ice cream. ▼ The message says: 'If you pour a little ramen sauce onto it, it gets even tastier. Be careful not to add too much.' Surely it's just a gimmick, right? It couldn't be that delicious, could it? Intrigued, we ordered one for 330 yen (US$2.30) to find out for ourselves. It soon arrived on the table in an assemble-it-yourself configuration. ▼ The first step was to put the dessert into the provided zip-lock bag. ▼ Add some kinako (roasted soybean flour). ▼ And shake… A simple, yet fun, process. Looking at the delightful balls sitting there in front of us, we couldn't resist the urge to pop one straight into our mouths, and sure enough it was as delicious as we had been expecting it to be. We briefly contemplated eating the other two in the same manner, but our eyes kept being drawn back to that little message about ramen sauce, so we poured a few drops onto the ice cream, and nervously took a bite… Amazing! The sauce combined with the surrounding kinako to bring out the sweetness of the ice cream with just the right hint of saltiness. The poster was not lying when it said it was more delicious with the ramen sauce: it was shockingly good. We apologized in our minds for doubting the store, and quickly enjoyed the last of our dessert. Leaving the restaurant, we can't recommend Kotteri Yukimi strongly enough. However, the dessert is only available at select stores which, according to the website, are: Kyoto Gojo Katsura Reboot, Route 1 Shimotoba, Kumiyama Shiga Katata, Ogotohama, Toyosato, Karasaki, Zeze Tokyo Koenji, Nakano Saitama Misato Interestingly, none of the stores that will be closing are on the list, so we couldn't help but make a connection: could it be that the stores were closing because they weren't selling unique products like Kotteri Yukimi? It's unlikely to be the sole reason, but we think it's entirely plausible to say it could be a contributing factor. With the recent report of Tenkaippin's closures, the stores will no doubt see a surge of visitors, but if you happen to be in the vicinity of one of the stores selling Kotteri Yukimi, be sure to give it a try. Store information Tenkaippin Nakano-ten / 天下一品中野店 Address: Tokyo-to, Nakano-ku, Arai 1-9-3 Grace Hill TMY 101 東京都中野区新井1-9-3 グレースヒルＴＭＹ101 Open: 10:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays until 3:00 a.m.) Closed: Tuesdays Website Related: Tenkaippin, J-Cast News Article Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Japan Today
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Japan's largest indie ice cream convention returns to Tokyo in Golden Week
By SoraNews24 It probably doesn't get brought up as often as it should, but Japan has a very rich and diverse array of ice cream. The offerings found in convenience stores and supermarkets like the Jumbo Monaka and Yukimi Daifuku are excellent examples of this, but beyond all that, there's an even larger ecosystem of frozen treats off the beaten path in Japan. Once a year, these hidden gems of Japanese ice cream are celebrated at Aipaku, the nation's largest ice cream convention of its kind. This year marks its 10th anniversary and as a result, it will be called Aipaku Premium and bring even more creamy goodness to Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Square from April 25 to May 6 to coincide with the frequent public holidays that make up Golden Week in Japan. From all corners of the country, over 180 types of ice cream from 36 brands, many of which you'll likely never have heard of unless you lived in their area, will be available. To give you but a brief taste, the silky smooth Mint Soft Serve made by Hakka'Do in Kitami, Hokkaido, will be there combining the great tastes of Japanese peppermint, Hokkaido sugar, and fresh milk from the northern areas of Hokkaido. ▼ Mint Soft Serve (600 yen) There will also be the Triple Taster from Million Dollar Ice Cream Parlor, a local ice cream shop in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, that offers American-inspired flavors incorporating the tastes of cookie dough and even bacon. It's unclear what flavors will be in this three-scoop sampler though. ▼ Triple Taster (850 yen) Caffe La Pesca in Yamanashi Prefecture will bring their Lots of 'Mo' made with peaches ('momo' in Japanese) grown on their very own farm right next to the cafe. These particular peaches have skins so delicate they can be eaten along with the fruit and are also mixed into their gelato for added texture. ▼ Lots of 'Mo' (930 yen) Also from Yamanashi, Kikyoya will be serving its Kikyo Shingen Gelato Kiwami, which is vanilla gelato with Kikyo Shingen Sticks using kuromitsu sugar syrup and kinako roasted soybean powder. There's also a Kikyo Shingen Mochi Manju snack on top, which is like a snack cake filled with kuromitsu, mochi, and sweet bean paste. ▼ Kikyo Shingen Gelato Kiwami (540 yen) For the first time ever, there will also be an Ice Cream Mini Museum curated by Iceman Fukutome, a leading expert on ice cream in Japan. It will chronicle the evolution of ice cream and its marketing in Japan over the years and showcase some rare and unique products that have popped up. There will also be a lot of ice cream merch for sale under the brand of Ice Cream Holic. One potential problem with an event like this is that it's just too much ice cream to eat at once. To help with that, cooler bags and dry ice will be sold so you can get some frozen treats to go too. In fact, it'll also be possible to order the ice cream offered at Aipaku from its own online store and have it delivered to your home in Japan. One of the main goals of Aipaku is to raise awareness of the many outstanding independent ice cream businesses across Japan. Event information Ice Cream Expo Aipaku Premium Tokyo 2025 / アイスクリーム万博「あいぱく® Premium TOKYO 2025」 Address: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Square 新宿住友ビル 三角広場 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishihinjuku 2-6-1 東京都新宿区西新宿2丁目6番1号 Event period: 25 April – 6 May Open: 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Admission: Adults 450 yen in advance, Children free Mini Museum admission separate, Check the ticket website for more info *Be aware that admission and most booths will only accept cashless payment. Website Source, images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Japanese samurai sword ice cream crafted by master swordsmith from famous katana town of Seki -- Tokyo's all-you-can-eat ice cream cafe is a sweet deal, both literally and figuratively -- Tokyo café says the best ice cream topping is two more ice cream cones External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Japan's largest indie ice cream convention returns to Tokyo this Golden Week
Taste a whole country of ice cream all under one roof. It probably doesn't get brought up as often as it should, but Japan has a very rich and diverse array of ice cream. The offerings found in convenience stores and supermarkets like the Jumbo Monaka and Yukimi Daifuku are excellent examples of this, but beyond all that, there's an even larger ecosystem of frozen treats off the beaten path in Japan. Once a year, these hidden gems of Japanese ice cream are celebrated at Aipaku, the nation's largest ice cream convention of its kind. This year marks its 10th anniversary and as a result, it will be called Aipaku Premium and bring even more creamy goodness to Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Square from 25 April to 6 May to coincide with the frequent public holidays that make up Golden Week in Japan. From all corners of the country, over 180 types of ice cream from 36 brands, many of which you'll likely never have heard of unless you lived in their area, will be available. To give you but a brief taste, the silky smooth Mint Soft Serve made by Hakka'Do in Kitami, Hokkaido, will be there combining the great tastes of Japanese peppermint, Hokkaido sugar, and fresh milk from the northern areas of Hokkaido. ▼ Mint Soft Serve (600 yen [US$4.23]) There will also be the Triple Taster from Million Dollar Ice Cream Parlor, a local ice cream shop in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, that offers American-inspired flavors incorporating the tastes of cookie dough and even bacon. It's unclear what flavors will be in this three-scoop sampler though. ▼ Triple Taster (850 yen) Caffe La Pesca in Yamanashi Prefecture will bring their Lots of 'Mo' made with peaches ('momo' in Japanese) grown on their very own farm right next to the cafe. These particular peaches have skins so delicate they can be eaten along with the fruit and are also mixed into their gelato for added texture. ▼ Lots of 'Mo' (930 yen) Also from Yamanashi, Kikyoya will be serving its Kikyo Shingen Gelato Kiwami, which is vanilla gelato with Kikyo Shingen Sticks using kuromitsu sugar syrup and kinako roasted soybean powder. There's also a Kikyo Shingen Mochi Manju snack on top, which is like a snack cake filled with kuromitsu, mochi, and sweet bean paste. ▼ Kikyo Shingen Gelato Kiwami (540 yen) For the first time ever, there will also be an Ice Cream Mini Museum curated by Iceman Fukutome, a leading expert on ice cream in Japan. It will chronicle the evolution of ice cream and its marketing in Japan over the years and showcase some rare and unique products that have popped up. There will also be a lot of ice cream merch for sale under the brand of Ice Cream Holic. One potential problem with an event like this is that it's just too much ice cream to eat at once. To help with that, cooler bags and dry ice will be sold so you can get some frozen treats to go too. In fact, it'll also be possible to order the ice cream offered at Aipaku from its own online store and have it delivered to your home in Japan. One of the main goals of Aipaku is to raise awareness of the many outstanding independent ice cream businesses across Japan. So, even if you can't make it to this event, follow its example and find a small ice cream shop near you to discover a new way to enjoy the classic dessert. Event information Ice Cream Expo Aipaku Premium Tokyo 2025 / アイスクリーム万博「あいぱく® Premium TOKYO 2025」 Address: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Square 新宿住友ビル 三角広場 Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishihinjuku 2-6-1 東京都新宿区西新宿2丁目6番1号 Event period: 25 April – 6 May Open: 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Admission: Adults 450 yen in advance, Children free Mini Museum admission separate, Check the ticket website for more info *Be aware that admission and most booths will only accept cashless payment Website Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
