Cherry blossom specialties
Sakura Taiyaki
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To see life in pink!
The change of season is always a good time to discover new products in Japan and spring is no exception. Known for offering beautiful landscapes, Japanese spring also has some great culinary surprises in store! For drinks, dessert buffets, cakes, and even udon, in March the whole menu is colored with the effigy of the favorite flower of the Japanese: the sakura!
Japanese specialties revisited
With the announcement of spring, certain traditional specialties are tinged with pink. They are not necessarily flavored with cherry, but their original color is nonetheless a feast for the eyes.
- The udon
Pink udon. It may come as a surprise, and yet these colorful pastes are all the rage on the archipelago when the fine weather returns. They can be found both in udonya (restaurants specializing in udon ) and on-street stalls in large cities, and their color attracts the eyes of the young and old alike.
However, beware of disappointment if you were planning to eat cherry udon, this pasta is (un)fortunately only the color.
The colorful udon of spring
KLOOL.com
- The taiyaki
For spring, these cupcakes filled with anko ( red bean paste ) are tinted pink for the pleasure of the eyes. Then called '' sakura taiyaki ' ', they can even be combined with other flavors for the occasion, such as chestnut for example! Like udon, these specialties can be found on street-food stands from the beginning of April.
The special menus of the big chains
Coffee chains like Starbucks and Tully's regularly have special menus when the seasons change. The cherry blossom season is one of the most popular in the archipelago, it is therefore not surprising that these major brands offer a whole host of products around the favorite flower of the Japanese.
- Starbucks (from February 15)
This year, the American chain is releasing its Sakura Frappucino, a cherry hot chocolate topped with milk cream and embellished with small pieces of strawberry jelly. To accompany it, she has also planned hot cherry milk, a sakura-chamomile tea, and a whole range of exclusive goodies to collect!
Starbucks Spring Specials 2019
tokyotreat.com
- Tully's (from late March)
Although we don't know yet what the flagship products of Tully's will be this spring, we do not doubt that there will be good things! In previous years, the Japanese brand had notably released a matcha and cherry latte, a sakura tea, colorful pancakes, and cherry blossom mousse waffles.
Also discover: Autumn specialties in Japan
Konbini seasonal desserts and drinks
If there is a place where you can find original products at low prices, it's the konbini!
Always one step ahead of other food distribution spaces, Japanese convenience stores offer a whole host of cherry blossom products from the beginning of March. From the Asahi brand sakura beers to cherry-matcha Kit Kats, to the various cakes and teas flavored with cherry, this year again there will certainly be something for everyone!
Among the things you can find at konbini in the spring, cherry daifuku
Hub Japan
The buffets of the big hotels
Renowned for their exceptional menus, luxury hotels change their dessert buffets as the calendar changes. For sunny days, sweets and cherry cakes are of course on the menu!
Where to go out?
- The Peninsula Tokyo Hotel
Address : 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda, 100-0006 Tokyo
Opening hours : from the end of March
Price : between 3,500 and 6,000 yen on average (between $30-55/26-50€)
Directions : Opposite Hibiya Station (Hibiya, Chiyoda, Mita lines)
- Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Address : 6-10-３ Roppongi, Minato, 106-0032 Tokyo
Opening hours : from the end of March
Price : between 3,500 and 6,000 yen on average (between $30-55/26-50€)
Directions : a few minutes walk from Roppongi station (Hibiya, Oedo lines)
Example of a dessert buffet offered by the Grand Hyatt Tokyo hotel. Here during strawberry season
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
