Over 100 Years of Tradition! Established Shitamachi Sweets Café

When you walk from Nishi Ojima station, on the Toei Shinjuku Line, towards Kameido, you will find an established Japanese sweets café called “Gonohashi Iseya”.

This café opened during the Meiji era and has over 100 years of tradition.

You can pick up some dango (mochi balls), daifuku (mochi with red bean paste) or manju (cake with red bean paste) for souvenirs after you enjoy more elaborate desserts like Cream Anmitsu (syrup covered red bean paste and fruits etc.) or Oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) at the café.

Everything on display looks delicious!
Other than sweets, they also offer onigiri (rice ball) and inarizushi (rice wrapped in deep fried tofu layer). It’s also a good place for lunch!

Of course, all take out desserts can be served inside the café as well!

The desserts all look delicious… but I made up my mind to order the ￥520 Cream Anmitsu (my favorite dessert!).

I decided to order one Mitarashi Dango (dango with salty-sweet sauce) to go with it!

The master of the café who came to take my order is absolutely charming. His gentle smile is an essential element of Gonohashi Iseya.

I love coming to this place. It’s such a relaxing and soothing little café.

I feel myself drifting away in the calm atmosphere… when my Cream Anmitsu arrives!

The apple piece is cut in the shape of a bunny. The simple Shitamachi* style Anmitsu is the best kind.
*Shitamachi: friendly and traditional neighborhoods of a city

I scoop one spoonful and gelatin cubes appear from underneath!

The jelly cubes together with the kuromitsu honey is so delicious!

I found some beans!

The beans are nice and flavorful!

The An (red bean paste) is the koshian kind, so the beans are completely mashed up. It has a smooth texture and isn’t overly sweet. It’s high quality An.

Now, on to the Mitarashi Dango, a popular take out snack!

The inside is quite soft and mushy. The texture and flavor are excellent. The salty-sweet sauce is perfect.

It’s a good system where you can try a dessert, and then buy some to take out if you liked it

I myself bought a pack of Mitarashi Dango I had to take back home!

I hope to see the tradition and deliciousness of this café live on for many, many years.

Definitely a recommendation!

writer：Tanna