The base of Mont Blanc Mont Blanc is a tart! I bought it for the first time and the tart made it quite satisfying despite its small size. The chestnut flavor is strong and has a moderate sweetness. The whipped cream taste is strong, typical of a long-established Western confectionery shop like Mont Blanc!

A well-established cake shop with over 60 years of history, located near Komagome Hospital. I remembered the Mont Blanc cake I had a long time ago and decided to visit. To my surprise, they had more types of Mont Blanc cakes now. The original Mont Blanc had a tart base with plenty of chestnut cream and whipped cream. The Mont Blanc Special came in a plastic container with custard cream and sponge base topped with generous chestnut cream. It also had candied chestnuts on the side, which was a treat for chestnut lovers. The sweetness was just right, refreshing, and all the ingredients were of high quality. I could eat as many as I wanted. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

On this day, I visited the areas around Kasuga, Hakusan, Senkoku, Sugamo, and Komagome. Komagome... well, maybe it's actually Hon-Komagome? It might be the closest to Tabata. Anyway, there is a cake shop called "Strel" that is a bit far from the station. It gives off a classic and traditional European pastry shop vibe, as if it has been operating in this area for a very long time. The exterior looks like a French pastry shop from 30 years ago and still maintains that impression. Inside the shop, there is a shelf of baked goods on the right, a cake showcase in front, and a cafe space on the left. It seems to be a gathering place for local ladies, as they were enjoying tea and chatting. At the entrance of the cafe, there are autographed signboards, with the most eye-catching ones being from Yoshimoto Takashi Akira and Banana Yoshimoto! Perhaps they lived nearby. The cakes in the showcase also have a simple and traditional style. They are not super cheap, but the prices are reasonable, averaging around 400 yen per piece, considering the location. So, I chose a few and enjoyed them in the cafe. Here is what I ate: - Mont Blanc Tart: A tart with chestnut cream on top of a pie crust, and whipped cream. The crust was very light and crispy, and the chestnut cream was quite rich. - Mirabelle Tart: A tart made with Mirabelle plums from France, covered with jelly on top. The plum had a firm pulp and a sweet and sour taste, maybe a bit on the sweeter side. - Cordouan Trois Raisins: A cake with raspberry, cream cheese, and dark cherry mousses. The vivid rose red color was shining, and the mousses were unexpectedly dense. The almond tart at the bottom had a strong sweetness, leaving a big impact. - Chocolat Moka: A cake with layers of chocolate ganache, mocha cream, and chocolate cream on top of a chocolate base, topped with whipped cream and coffee beans. The coffee flavor was very prominent, and I really liked the mocha cream. Since it's an old-fashioned shop, the interior may seem a bit cluttered, but the staff were very attentive and polite, leaving a good impression! Thank you for the meal!

This is a local pastry shop where locals talk about how Yoshimoto Takakiyo and Banana Yoshimoto used to visit. It's a bit of a walk from Tabata or Honkomagome, but I read in a book that Yoshimoto Takakiyo used to take long walks from Nezu to Yanaka to the University of Tokyo. I wondered if this shop was on his route. Yoshimoto Banana seems to recommend the eclair, but this time I bought the Mocha Roll for ¥360 (per piece). The spiral roll with a cute cross-section is filled with butter cream made from fresh butter. The ample sweetness, along with the slightly rough texture reminiscent of coffee, creates a perfect blend of mocha and butter. It's sweet and nostalgic. This sweetness goes well with coffee. Next time, I want to try the eclair in the store. Thank you for the meal!

On this day, I went to a pastry shop in search of Mocha Rolls. This shop is a long-established local pastry shop called Strel. First, I tried the Mocha Roll, which they call "Rouleau Moka" in French. The buttercream was rich and delicious, and the sponge cake was a bit firm, giving it a traditional feel. The Mont Blanc dessert had a pie crust base with almond cream, which was a unique touch. The chestnut-flavored Mont Blanc cream paired perfectly with the lightly sweetened whipped cream. Both desserts had a nostalgic and delicious taste.

On October 2018, I went to Tabata. I got off at JR Tabata Station and headed towards Bunkyo-ku Sendagi area from the north exit. Along the way, I passed by my favorite "Dousaka Shokudo" restaurant, and went from Dousaka Shita to Dousaka Ue. I spotted the "Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital" and finally found the "Strell" pastry shop that I was looking for. The shop had an old-fashioned Western pastry shop look, which made me want to visit such places occasionally. Unfortunately, the cafe was already closed, so I had to settle for a takeout option. I bought the Halloween Choux for 360 yen, which had both custard and cream inside, decorated with Halloween-themed chocolate. It was delicious with crispy choux pastry and two types of cream. I also bought the Potiron for 360 yen, which was a pumpkin tart made with Hokkaido pumpkin, black sugar, and Canadian maple syrup. It was decorated with Halloween chocolate as well. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin, combined with maple syrup and black sugar, made it a delightful treat. I hope this long-standing local Western pastry shop continues to be loved by the community.

When I was little, when you said cake shop, it used to mean this place before the big cake shops like Fujiya opened. I didn't think there was anything particularly delicious, but when I went inside, there were famous critics and authors like Banana Yoshimoto who had left autographs. I heard that their eclair was amazing, but I thought everything was delicious in general. I couldn't limit it to just the eclair, but I feel like the shortcake was even more delicious.

A traditional Western-style confectionery shop with cute small cakes. There were many cakes with cherry blossom petals as decoration, perfect for the cherry blossom season.

Delicious and great service!

This is a cake shop located a 5-minute walk from Nishi-Nippori Station. It has been featured on TV a few times, and there are several autographs of celebrities displayed inside the shop. I ordered the following items to enjoy in the shop: Eclair for 280 yen, Hot Coffee for 400 yen, Set Discount of 50 yen. I was torn between Eclair and Mont Blanc, but I chose Eclair in the end. The Eclair had a crispy shell filled with rich cream and topped with chocolate. I wish it had custard instead of cream, which was a bit disappointing. Thank you for the meal.

From the morning of September 21, 2016, I was waiting at the hospital and didn't want to miss lunch, so I enjoyed the "Grilled Salted Pacific Saury Set Meal" at "Ugizaka Shokudo" (it really saved me!). It's autumn now~~♪ I still had some time before my next appointment, so I decided to go to a nearby cafe. One of them is the long-established "Komagome no Ryoshin" and the other is "Strel" (o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o). I always choose the eclair, but this time I went for the "Chocolate Noir" with an iced coffee as a drink set. The cafe area was empty, so I had the whole table to myself, what a luxury! I sipped on the coffee and enjoyed the cake, which had the sweetness of a treat from the Showa era. It was a classic cake that even children could enjoy. It was the perfect prescription for my tired body and irritation. Eating the cake and relaxing was just what I needed. It's time to go back to the hospital now!

This is a long-established Western confectionery shop located in front of the Komagome Hospital. While takeout is the main option, there are a few tables inside where you can dine in as well. The shop has been loved by celebrities and famous people for a long time, so there are many autographs displayed inside. It also has a lot of media exposure from TV and magazines. Despite being such a popular spot, it's surprising to see so few reviews on Tabelog. The area around Bunkyo Ward is interesting, with a mix of high-end residential areas and old town charm. This shop offers classic cakes like Mont Blanc, Mocha Roll, and Eclairs at very affordable prices, with most items priced under 500 yen. The Mont Blanc Special, priced at 450 yen, is a must-try with its elegant and delicious chestnut cream. The standard Mont Blanc at 420 yen is also tasty, but the Special version has a special touch. The Rose cake at 440 yen is a true masterpiece, with a beautiful appearance and traditional French buttercream. The service at the shop is elegant and matches the atmosphere of the place perfectly. Overall, this shop offers classic and nostalgic cakes that are perfect for those who prefer to call them "Western confectioneries" rather than just "sweets." Once you taste the delicious confections here, you'll feel like you're part of the sophisticated Bunkyo crowd.

After enjoying a delicious pork cutlet lunch at "Katsutei Misaki," I decided to stop by the long-established Western confectionery shop, "Strel," in Dobasaka. I was intrigued by their cakes, but unfortunately, their famous "Mocha Roll" was already sold out. So, I ended up choosing the "Chocolate Eclair" for 280 yen (tax included) and the "Fig Tart" for 440 yen (tax included). Both had a simple yet sophisticated taste, typical of a traditional shop. I couldn't stay to enjoy the cakes with tea in the store, so I opted for takeout. The total cost was a bit pricey at 720 yen, but it's nice to treat yourself to delicious cakes once in a while. The efficient and friendly service from the lovely female staff and the owner-like lady left a good impression. Overall, I would rate my experience a 3.5 out of 5. Next time, I'll make sure to arrive early to get my hands on that "Mocha Roll"! The "Fig Tart" looked beautiful and had a rich cream base with a refreshing hint of fig, perfect for adults. The "Chocolate Eclair" was simple yet delightful, with a generous amount of chocolate and light cream.

In Tokyo, when it comes to Mocha Rolls, Alps is the first place that comes to mind. However, right nearby, there is another place called Le Roi de Mocha that also offers Mocha Rolls. Unlike Alps, the cream inside here is a normal buttercream. The location is great and although the shop may not be as big as Alps, the taste is just as delicious. It has a classical feel to it! It's quite intriguing why Mocha Rolls are concentrated in this area. Where did it all start from? That alone remains a mystery.

Strell, a small cake shop in front of the entrance to Komagome Hospital, caught my eye with its English name. I chose a roll cake and a chocolate cake to take home from about 10 options. Although they may not look fancy, they have a comforting sweetness and a simple flavor. If you visit thinking of it as a traditional French pastry shop rather than expecting too much, you will be pleasantly surprised. It's a perfect treat after visiting the hospital!

It is located on the middle of Nodzaka in front of Komagome Hospital. They offer fresh cakes and baked goods such as financiers and madeleines. They have around 15 different types of cakes, which is quite a variety for a small shop in the town. However, when I visited in the late morning, they only had 2-3 of each cake except for cream puffs and eclairs, so there might be fewer options in the afternoon. The back of the shop serves as a cafe space. The "Rouleau Noah" (400 yen) is a chocolate cream and nut roll cake. Unlike the typical fluffy sponge cake wrapped in cream, this one is different. The sponge is flat without much rise, with a texture similar to layered Japanese confectionery dough, filled with finely crushed walnuts. The chocolate cream, which is rich but not overwhelming, is also filled with walnuts. The thickness of the dough and chocolate cream layers are almost the same, creating a triple swirl. After savoring each component, it is cut vertically. The firm dough, gooey chocolate cream, and abundant walnuts all coexist without blending or clashing, maintaining their distinct presence. It's delicious and an interesting cake. However, if you eat it expecting a regular roll cake, you might be disappointed. It may not appeal much to children. I personally like French pastries, so I enjoyed this. After trying French pastries from Cadot, Chervon, and Strell, I realized that French pastry cakes are quite unique and distinct from Western pastries. They have a somewhat nostalgic feel to them. Sometimes I just crave French pastries.

After visiting the Komagome Hospital, I bought some pastries on my way back. The bakery is conveniently located right in front of the hospital, making it easy to find. Inside, there is a cafe-like space where you can sit and eat. Personally, I don't think this kind of space is necessary, but I see it quite often. I bought a Mont Blanc for about 400 yen, a strawberry tart for about 400 yen, and a financier for 190 yen, totaling 1050 yen. The pastries were on the smaller side, so I felt they were a bit pricey. The Mont Blanc was very sweet, with chestnut cream and whipped cream on top, both of which were very sweet. The tart crust was moist and not too sweet. I would rate it 3 out of 5. The strawberry tart was also sweet, but the tartness of the strawberries balanced it out. The custard cream was smooth and not too sweet, and the tart crust was more moist than crispy. I would rate it 3 out of 5. The financier had a unique flavor that I couldn't quite place. It was sweet, as financiers typically are. I think it would taste great with tea. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it. Overall, the pastries were quite sweet, which may not be to everyone's liking. However, if you enjoy strong flavors, you may give them a high rating.

"Mocaroll" is a roll cake with coffee-flavored buttercream rolled in mocha sponge. It is different from the recent roll cakes with plenty of whipped cream, as it incorporates the old-fashioned buttercream. I recently visited two cake shops in Komagome that are famous for their Mocaroll. "Alps Western Confectionery" is a retro and gorgeous cake shop located in front of JR Komagome Station. Established in 1959 as a restaurant and confectionery shop, it shifted to a Western confectionery shop in 1962. One of the few Western confectionery shops that have maintained a dignified and elegant atmosphere over the years. The popular cake here since its founding is the "Mocaroll (1 slice for 265 yen)." The buttercream mixed with freshly brewed coffee has a delightful aroma, reminiscent of freshly brewed coffee, with a strong salted butter flavor. The sponge cake is thin and supple, with a subtle coffee flavor. The tightly packed cream beautifully swirls around, exuding a deep flavor that reflects the long-standing history and pride cherished by many people. It's quite a walk from Komagome, but "Strel" located across from Komagome Hospital, established in 1958. Unlike Alps, which opened around the same time, Strel has a warm atmosphere of a local cake shop. The most popular item here is also the "Mocaroll (1 slice for 360 yen)." Although it is officially called "Le Roux de Mocha," the staff also referred to it as Mocaroll. It is slightly larger than Alps' version, reflecting its price. The buttercream here is white without coffee, but the sponge cake has a strong coffee flavor. The thinly baked cake is pleasantly fluffy, with the perfect balance of coffee flavor and buttercream. I don't know why there are two famous Mocaroll shops in Komagome, but it seems to be a testament to the long-standing love from the local people. Alps Western Confectionery Komagome Branch (Cake/Komagome Station, Sugamo Station, Senkoku Station)