Next to the Azusawa Sports Center is a German sweets shop. It has been about 50 years since I last visited this area, and I wondered if this shop was here even back then. Upon entering, I found that the owner was running the shop alone, allowing me to take my time choosing what to order. Based on reviews on Tabelog, I decided on the Sachertorte for 600 yen, and as an extra treat, I also got a slice of Baumkuchen, which seemed to be the shop's specialty, for 300 yen. I received my purchases in a simple paper bag, and took them home on the Mita Line. For dessert after dinner, I tried the Sachertorte, which had a texture similar to Baumkuchen and a rich chocolate flavor. The Baumkuchen was just like any other Baumkuchen.

Today I visited the area around Itabashi City Hall, Itabashi Honcho, Shimura Sakano, Shimura Sancho-me, and Hasunone. Words change over time, especially loanwords that are often mistakenly spread and later corrected. For example, "spaghetti" became "pasta," "buffet" became "buffet," and "dessert" became "sweets." This brings us to the word "dessert," which is not used much anymore. The Dessert Club in Shimura Sancho-me seems to have been around for quite some time. Located near Koazawa Park, the shop is on the first floor of a residential building, with a simple exterior. The prominently displayed phone number adds to the sense of history. With more shops using LINE for communication, traditional phone calls seem to be becoming a thing of the past. The large German flag outside the shop is a bit out of place, considering they specialize in German confectioneries like Baumkuchen. It piqued my interest, so I decided to visit. The interior has a workshop-like feel, with no partitions separating the back area, where the baking happens. The display case features Baumkuchen, brownies, cookies, and other baked goods, as well as Swiss rolls, pies, and more. I tried the following items: - Koazawa Swiss Roll: A local specialty with a fluffy texture and rich egg yolk flavor, filled with whipped cream and fruits. - Baumkuchen: A deep brown, firm-textured cake with a lemony aroma and a traditional German taste. - Crantz Blueberry: A fluffy pastry with blueberries for a sweet and sour touch. - Copenhagen Almond Pie: A pie with a braided crust and dried raspberries, although a bit too dense for my liking. I took home the items that could be stored at room temperature, but enjoyed the Swiss roll in the nearby park, despite looking like a suspicious character. Thank you very much for the delicious treats!

On Sunday, during a lunchtime stroll, I decided to look for a nearby dessert shop after having a hearty meal at Marufuku. I came across a Baumkuchen shop that was mentioned as a gift that North Kawakami dislikes. The reviews mentioned that the shop had a simple and unassuming appearance, quite different from the trendy image of a dessert club. I entered the shop, which indeed did not seem like the place where North Kawakami would visit. Besides Baumkuchen, the shop also had other typical local sweets on display. I only bought what I came for and headed back home. I cut a quarter of the Baumkuchen to try it as soon as I got home since it was recommended to be consumed within three days at room temperature. It tasted different from what I had imagined, with a fresh and fruity flavor. I prefer Baumkuchen with a strong egg taste, so it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable. I plan to have the rest of the Baumkuchen with coffee tonight.

Finally, it has become a legend. The price of Azukizawa Roll is 1,600 yen now, but I remember when I first encountered it, it was only 1,000 yen (cries). The management structure of the shop is unclear, but as far as I know, three people are involved in making the roll cakes. Today, an elderly person who seemed to be the owner was there. It's been a while since I peeked into the shop, and I saw Baumkuchen cooling on the shelves. It's the first time I've seen this sight. I wonder if they really make Baumkuchen here? Today's purchase: Azukizawa Roll and Baumkuchen (German style) by the patissier. The Baumkuchen seemed faithful to the recipe. It may feel a bit dry at first, but compared to the very moist one I had recently at "Chiro," this one feels more like a traditional Baumkuchen made with plenty of eggs and butter. It brings back a slightly nostalgic taste of Baumkuchen. Is this really German style? The Azukizawa Roll, on the other hand, is consistently delicious in terms of both the cake and the cream. However, at 1,600 yen in Azukizawa, there are concerns about its future sales.

After confirming that it was not a Sachertorte, I decided to purchase Sachertorte along with two other types of cakes to verify Mairevi's information. The fundamental difference between Sachertorte and chocolate cake is the use of apricot jam. Sachertorte is made with apricot jam, which is spread on the cake before being coated with chocolate fondant or used as a filling between layers of sponge cake. As I was researching this, I remembered a cake I received as a souvenir from Austria a few years ago, which had plenty of apricot jam. Today's order: Sachertorte 600, Mont Blanc with chestnuts 600, Fresh apple pie 600. While the Sachertorte and Mont Blanc with chestnuts had a strong sweetness that I found a bit overwhelming, the fresh apple pie was truly homemade with real apples and pie crust. It was of high quality.

There is a local izakaya near Itabashi Station called Yakiton Young, which is apparently run by the owner's father. It's surprising to see a family involved in both the food and beverage industry. There is a sports center in Itabashi Ward nearby where I used to go for workouts, but I have currently given up. It doesn't make sense to exercise and then indulge in my favorite Azukizawa roll from there. I started buying Azukizawa rolls as a souvenir from someone, and I couldn't resist the size of the roll and its price of 1,000 yen at the time. The lightness of the sponge and the balance of sweetness in the cream were irresistible—I could easily eat a whole roll. Although the price has gone up now, the balance of the light sponge and the restrained sweetness of the cream remains the same. However, I am concerned that the staff inside seems to change every time I visit.

I received a cake as a souvenir ☆ It was a delicious strawberry tart and a dessert that seemed like a soufflé. Both were very tasty♪ I would like to try Baumkuchen and roll cake next time. I want to go to the store to buy them♪

You can feel the simple and unpretentious atmosphere of the shop, which competes with its taste. The plain packaged Baumkuchen has a firm texture with a lemon flavor. It's a hidden gem!

I bought Baumkuchen (^o^) It was delicious♪

The food is terrible.

Visited the shop in March and April 2017, about a 10-minute drive from home. I had been wanting to visit this shop for a few years now. Finally, I made it and went shopping. Inside the shop, the staff in the back wear hats and masks to make sure no hair gets into the sweets they are making. There is a bell with a sign saying "Please ring for assistance," but when I entered and said hello, they noticed me. In March, I bought a strawberry roll cake for 1600 yen and two sachertortes for 400 yen each. Both were delicious, but the strawberry roll cake was especially amazing. I finished it in no time. In April, I bought a red bean roll and a patissier's baumkuchen (German style). Unfortunately, I didn't write down the prices for these two items. The red bean roll had strawberries and oranges inside and was really tasty. I brought it to work and shared it with everyone, so I didn't have a photo. The baumkuchen was not too sweet or heavy and was delicious. I wonder what I should buy on my next visit.

I got off at Shimura Sakashita Station for the first time on January 8, 2016, at 1:30 pm. I had some errands to run, so I headed to Itabashi City Gymnasium. On the way there, I saw a red roof with the German flag waving, which caught my attention, so I decided to make a detour on my way back. The shop was small, and the kitchen seemed open and visible from the entrance. I just wanted a quick snack to satisfy my hunger, so I skipped the large whole cakes and checked out the cut sweets in the showcase. They had famous items like the Baumkuchen (1 slice for 300 yen) that Kitagawa Keiko brought as a souvenir on the Tunnels' "Food Dislike" show, Gâteau au Chocolat, and a cake with lots of raisins. When I touched the wrapping, it felt hard (I only touched it as the staff asked me to, I didn't poke it!). I chose the Baumkuchen because I wanted to taste it a little. Since it was in the refrigerated case, the texture was firm and solid. It wasn't fluffy, but had a chewy texture. It seemed to have a citrusy flavor with lemon peel or something, leaving a refreshing taste in my mouth. The sweetness was just right. It didn't have any special appeal, but I was intrigued by the large strawberry-filled roll cake. However, the cost-performance ratio wasn't great, so I might consider trying a smaller portion. Thank you for the meal! (^o^)

Revisited: Before 2016/12/09, I was treated to their Baumkuchen by the previous CO. This shop gained attention when Kadowaki Keiko appeared on "Kuwazu Gai Ou Ketteisen" with their Baumkuchen. However, this time I couldn't resist the temptation and bought their Sachertorte for 600 yen. Despite the suspicious appearance with powdered sugar on the outside, it turned out to be just a plain chocolate cake with sponge cake at the bottom and plenty of chocolate cream, lacking the expected fondant texture or apricot jam. The Baumkuchen, priced at 300 yen, was soft and flavorful with moderate sweetness. The DA on Tuesdays and Fridays is interested in their Stollen, but judging from the Sachertorte, it's safe to assume it won't meet expectations. Thanks for the meal.

The shop is located right in front of Azukizawa Sports Center. There is no parking available nearby due to heavy traffic, so it's recommended to park at the sports center or a paid parking lot. This shop was featured on Fuji TV's "Ii Tabi Yume Kibun" for their Azuki Roll and Baumkuchen, which are popular items. I bought Baumkuchen and Sacher Roll because I'm not a fan of whipped cream. The chocolate on top of the Sacher Roll was rich and delicious, with a raspberry flavor in the whipped cream that added a nice touch. However, the prices are on the higher side, with a single slice of shortcake costing 600 yen.

I was able to buy the last piece of Baumkuchen. To be precise, there were still plenty of Baumkuchen available. What I bought was the smallest size of Baumkuchen. The gift box with the large size Baumkuchen was still on the shelf. Along with the Baumkuchen, I also bought a Mont Blanc made from 100% Japanese chestnuts and a Sachertorte. The Mont Blanc had a delicious chestnut flavor and a nice crispy tart base. The Sachertorte was more like a chocolate cake, without a chocolate coating but sprinkled with powdered sugar. It was a moist chocolate cake with a restrained level of sweetness. The Baumkuchen had a fluffy and melting texture, and the sweetness was also mild.

【2015.07.18 (Sat) First Visit】 13:30 - While visiting 'Ibuki', we searched on Tabelog for a shop nearby that might have something suitable as a souvenir. We found a shop that seemed to be well-known for its Baumkuchen. My partner had heard of it before but had never tried it, so we decided to buy some. The exterior of the shop had a German flag displayed, but it lacked any sense of sophistication. The menu board outside read, "Don't judge without trying! Our Baumkuchen is here!" I quickly checked my phone and found out that Kanno Miho brought this Baumkuchen as a souvenir for someone who dislikes it. I doubt that Kanno Miho actually came all the way to Itabashi for this, though (￣▽￣;) Ahaha... Upon entering the shop, we saw a variety of baked goods and cakes displayed, aside from the Baumkuchen. Since we were specifically looking for Baumkuchen this time, we didn't plan on buying anything else. However, when we tried to purchase a smaller size to taste, they were sold out for the day (´･ω･`) Sorry. When we asked a young female staff member, she kindly offered to prepare some if we could wait a bit. We ordered two mini-sized Baumkuchen. Each mini-sized Baumkuchen cost 300 yen (tax included), so it wasn't cheap. When we got home and chilled it in the fridge before eating, the texture was firm, the dough was moist, and it had a refreshing lemon scent. The sweetness was also moderate, much tastier than the popular Baumkuchen shop in a major department store with long lines. I even felt like I could have eaten a slightly larger size (*･ω･)(｡｡*) Mm-hmm. Plus, with a shelf life of 7 days including the purchase date, and considering that the larger size is more cost-effective, I plan to buy a larger one next time. Although they don't sell online, you can order by phone, and it seems that inquiries about ordering can also be made through the shop's website linked below for reference (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ【Dessert Club Website】http://azusawa-lcom.jimdo.com/

This cake shop stands quietly near the Hozumi Park. It may be easy to miss as it blends in with the surrounding residential area. The specialty here is their Baumkuchen, a classic authentic cake based on the German method. If you visit around lunchtime, you might catch the aroma of freshly baked cakes. The sign inside says "tastes better when chilled," so I had it soon after taking it out of the fridge. Despite my initial concern about the butter and dough not blending well, the rich flavor of the butter gradually came through. The refreshing lemon acidity and vanilla aroma spread throughout my mouth, making for a delightful experience. The cake has a dense texture, providing a satisfying bite. Their chestnut Mont Blanc also stood out, with a tart base, pastry cream, Chantilly cream, and sweet chestnut paste. Each component showcased the quality of the ingredients. The tart base, likely made of pâte sucrée, had a moist and rich almond taste. Among their various roll cakes, the Raspberry one was a standout with its rich yet not overwhelming cream and chunky raspberries. The Strawberry Roll was packed with strawberries, and the cream was as delicious as ever. Despite its unassuming appearance, this patisserie offers high-quality treats.

It is a small shop located in a residential area about a 5-minute walk from Shimo-Sakai Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line. The shop is on the 1st floor of a 2-story building, and it has been decorated with a German flag, a red awning, blackboards, and posters, giving it a festive atmosphere. I finally decided to stop by after passing by it several times in my car. Since there is no parking lot, I parked at the hourly parking lot of the recently renovated Azukizawa Sports Center. Inside the shop, the back area was the kitchen, and the front area displayed a refrigerated showcase and baked goods. It was evening, so the pastry chef, who seemed to be the owner, and a woman who appeared to be his wife were both serving customers. The handwritten signs with the names and prices of the products added to the homemade feel of the place. In addition to cakes like "Sachertorte," "Dresden," and "Paris-Brest," they also had popular Japanese treats like Baumkuchen and roll cakes. Everything seemed homemade and free of additives, which I appreciated. I originally wanted to buy a whole Sachertorte, but since I live with just one other person, I felt hesitant and ended up choosing a marble chocolate roll cake. It had a modest sweetness and a simple taste, and we enjoyed a quarter of it each on the day of purchase and the next day until it was finished. They also had other roll cakes like "Darjeeling Chestnut," "Matcha Roll," "Super Strawberry Roll," and "Azukizawa Roll," all reasonably priced and clearly a focus of the shop. I also bought some "Pastry Chef's Cookies," which are German-style cookies made with pure butter. They had a mild sweetness and a gentle blend of cashews, walnuts, almonds, cranberries, and chocolate, which I really liked. The only downside for us is the additional parking fee when visiting this shop, but the taste suited our preferences, so we will definitely return when we are in the area. The only thing I would change is the name of the shop, as it doesn't quite match the image of the store. Personally, I would add some German words related to the ingredients of the sweets.