如月 来夏
When the nationwide donut chain "Kurofune" opened its first store in Japan at Shinjuku Southern Terrace, I went to see it out of curiosity and envy. Over the past decade, Kurofune, which debuted with great fanfare, has become commonplace. It's expensive, too sweet, and has garish colors. But it has certainly established itself, sharing the pie with "Mister Donut" and adapting its sweetness to suit Japanese tastes. Foreign capital companies planning to enter Japan should keep in mind that the Japanese are the most whimsical people in the world, easily excited and quickly losing interest. Even the world's largest donut chain, "Dunkin' Donuts," ran away with its tail between its legs. The store located in Tokyo International Forum, which opened last August, boasts the largest store in Japan, serving as both a flagship store and a central kitchen where you can watch the donuts being made behind glass while waiting in line. When the hot sign lights up, it means the donuts are ready, and freshly fried donuts are given as a gift by the staff. Furthermore, due to the benefits of the attached workshop, there are limited edition menu items that are only available at this store. I ordered the Melting Strawberry Mountain and the house blend coffee. The Melting Strawberry something-or-other donut, with its long name, stood out on Instagram. This donut's charm can only be conveyed about 1 millimeter in photos, so I recommend checking out Instagram or experiencing it in person. When you order, you wait behind the register, and when your number is called, you receive your drink and wait at your table. You are given a number plate with your order, so keep it in a visible place for when your order is ready. The blend is freshly brewed after you order, so it's quite strong and authentic. It may not satisfy coffee enthusiasts, but it's enough for me, as I usually drink instant coffee at home. The donut arrives with a cream-filled ring around it, topped with plenty of strawberry cream. When you remove the ring, the cream spills out, creating a flood on the plate. The base is likely their original glazed donut with ice cream sandwiched between, giving a cold sensation when eaten. The plate comes with a berry sauce dip, and when the cream melts down, the strawberry cream and berry sauce naturally mix together, creating a strawberry-filled delight. These little surprises are quite enjoyable. The problem is what to do with the removed plastic ring, but I didn't understand the purpose of the paper plate that came with it, so I didn't use it until the end. They should explain this better. At the ordering stage, they ask if it's for dining in, but who takes this out? Well, you can take it as an American joke, but there are several other limited edition donuts only available at this store that are worth visiting regularly. On this day, there was a graduation ceremony for a certain women's university in the Tokyo International Forum, and the place was packed with students in traditional attire. Naturally, the store was also crowded, making it difficult to secure a seat. Unless it's a concert or event, it's not usually that busy, but oh well. The rum raisin donut I was aiming for was sold out, and the strawberry shortcake that replaced it was also sold out. The Lotus Biscoff collaboration currently available is also offered at other stores, so I'll try it another time.