あるぱかーん
Located in Toranomon, this place with a difficult name that is pronounced as "Okanoeisen" is famous for their bean daifuku. It is a must-buy item, and reservations are usually required at the main store. I visited the Takashimaya store for the first time, hoping to get my hands on one. It was 2:30 pm on a weekday and only two left. However, there were two groups ahead of me, so my chances seemed slim. I was considering settling for chestnut manju if I couldn't get the bean daifuku, but surprisingly, I managed to buy one. The two groups ahead of me ended up buying a lot of chestnut manju. I debated buying both bean daifuku, but since there were more people waiting behind me, I decided to get just one. It seems that dorayaki is available on Fridays, and waffles on Saturdays, with limited days for each item. Reservations are also possible, so check the details in the photos. As for the purchased item, the bean daifuku costs 270 yen and is quite large with a noticeable presence. The soft and fluffy texture is evident just by looking at it. When I tried it, the plump mochi had a thickness to it, was chewy, and had a full-bodied elasticity that stretched well. As I chewed, the sweetness gradually emerged, making it delicious. The strong presence of the mochi was balanced by the abundant red bean paste that followed, with a sharp sweetness and a high-quality fragrance. It was smooth, melted in the mouth, and had a strong presence that didn't get overshadowed by the mochi. The beans were subtle in flavor, with a moderate saltiness that made it easy to eat. This bean daifuku is delicious, but it leans more towards a regular daifuku than a bean daifuku. It is quite large, satisfying to eat, and offers good value for its price. While elegant bean daifuku are common nowadays, this traditional style is also delightful. Truly living up to the reputation of Okanoeisen! If you want to try their bean daifuku, make sure to visit early even on weekdays. The chestnut manju that was selling like hotcakes also caught my eye. Thank you for the meal!