大阪めんま
Located in Kiyomizu-zaka in Kyoto, "HISAYA CAFE" is a specialty store for high-end Mont Blanc cakes made with Tamba chestnuts grown in their own farm. This shop was opened on September 2, 2019, within the main store of Hisaya, a nationwide chain known for its organic roasted chestnut stands. With only 6 counter seats, the staff prepare the Mont Blanc right in front of you in a style called "freshly squeezed Mont Blanc." Kyoto is known for its Mont Blanc cakes, with popular shops like "KYOTO KEIZO" and "Saori" drawing long lines, alongside traditional stores like "Marron Glace." Personally, I love Mont Blanc cakes the most, so exploring Kyoto's sweets scene is always enjoyable. I made a reservation through the shop's Instagram reservation form 10 days in advance before visiting. We chose to visit on a Saturday at 2 PM, and there was another group of 4 people who had also reserved the same time slot. The menu is simple, offering only the "Tamba Chestnut Premium Mont Blanc" and a set with a drink included. We opted for the set with a drink for 1680 yen (tax included), ordering coffee. You can choose between matcha or hojicha ice cream inside the Mont Blanc, and we chose matcha this time. Watching the process with explanations as they make the cake is quite enjoyable, making the waiting time until completion very pleasant. They start by squeezing a light chestnut cream, using fine Kataifi noodles commonly found in Turkish cuisine as the base. Then, they layer matcha sauce, matcha ice cream, whipped cream, and chestnut cream, shaping it and finishing with sliced roasted chestnuts and chestnut powder. The size is slightly larger than usual. The chestnut cream is smooth without any dryness or roughness, offering a rich chestnut flavor that is truly delicious. The crispy Kataifi noodles intertwined with the cream are a perfect match. The matcha ice cream inside is quite intense, but the bitterness and aroma blend nicely with the chestnut, creating a wonderful balance. The thick whipped cream adds to the satisfaction after the meal. My companion ordered hojicha, and I had a taste of it. The strong roasted flavor of hojicha was impressive, slightly diluting the chestnut aroma. However, the ice cream itself was exquisite. While I personally prefer matcha in the Mont Blanc, this hojicha ice cream would be an instant buy if sold separately. This Mont Blanc has become my favorite among the freshly squeezed Mont Blanc cakes I've had recently. I would love to visit this shop again during a trip to Kiyomizu Temple. Thank you for the delicious meal!