With a history spanning over 270 years, tea specialty shop “Kyo Hayashiya” infuses the essence of a new era into its sweets while preserving the long tradition of tea.
A Kyo Hayashiya Shinjuku branch exclusive! The “Matcha Parfait”
At Kyo Hayashiya, you can indulge in their authentic “Matcha Parfait” made with matcha from Uji, the renowned tea-growing region in Kyoto.
Among the multiple locations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Matcha Parfait, featuring matcha soft-serve ice cream, is exclusively available at the Takashimaya Times Square store in Shinjuku.
“抹茶パフェ” Matcha Parfait 1,650 JPY (tax included)
The restaurant’s homemade matcha soft-serve ice cream is also made using Uji matcha, providing a delightful balance of bitterness and a refreshing aftertaste.
Moreover, the charm of the Matcha Parfait lies in the varied textures of each ingredient. The shiratama (white rice dumplings) have a wonderfully chewy texture. The agar is both firm and easy to eat, offering a satisfyingly clean bite. As for the milk panna cotta, it’s delightfully smooth. Finally, the sweet red bean paste has a meltingly soft feel on the palate.
The parfait features familiar sweets like jelly and milk panna cotta, and is likely to be an easy start for first-time visitors to Japan who may be trying matcha-based dishes for the first time.
The use of carefully selected Uji matcha ensures an authentic flavor, making it a special and enjoyable experience.
Just as popular as the Matcha Parfait is the “Anmitsu with Matcha Warabimochi!”
For those who have a bit more veteran experience with matcha dishes, the “Anmitsu with Matcha Warabimochi” is highly recommended. It combines the traditional Japanese sweet warabimochi with Uji matcha.
Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese dessert featuring agar jelly and red bean paste, often enriched with fruits. Warabimochi is a stretchy type of mochi dessert made from bracken starch.
Warabi mochi is a time-consuming delicacy to make, and it has a very short shelf life. This sweet is a unique Japanese treat rarely encountered outside Japan, making it a special experience for those with a taste for matcha-infused delights.
“抹茶わらび餅あんみつ” Anmitsu with Matcha Warabimochi 1,485 JPY (tax included)
The dish features matcha-flavored warabimochi as the main component in a bowl of anmitsu
In addition to the warabi mochi, it includes matcha jelly, agar, anko sweet red bean paste, shiratama, matcha ice cream, and peaches as toppings. The dish is finished by drizzling kuromitsu (a darkly-colored syrup similar to molasses) over it before eating.
Kyo Hayashiya is dedicated to handmade craftsmanship, and many of the ingredients used in the anmitsu, such as shiratama, are prepared in-house. The establishment prioritizes quality ingredients, and the matcha warabimochi is free from additives.
The shiratama, jelly, and agar are all prepared at the store
The main ingredient of the dessert, warabimochi, has a soft and fluffy surface while being chewy inside.
The restaurant uses the renowned brand of Uji matcha called Chiyonoshiro, which imparts a vibrant color and makes it easy to experience the richness and aroma of matcha.
The “Matcha Kuzuneri Set” captivates with its unique texture!
The vibrant green color of the “Matcha Kuzuneri” is visually stunning, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of the restaurant’s artisans.
“抹茶葛ねりセット（お茶セット）” Matcha Kuzuneri (Tea set) 1,650 JPY (tax included)
Kuzuneri is a traditional Japanese dessert made by kneading kuzu starch powder dissolved in water over heat.
However, matcha is sensitive to heat, and creating kuzuneri with matcha requires both knowledge of matcha and expertise in traditional Japanese confectionery techniques.
The delicate control of heat and the meticulous kneading process are skills that only very experienced Japanese confectioners possess.
The matcha kuzuneri at Kyo Hayashiya offers a texture that is neither too firm nor too soft, providing a rich and velvety consistency. Additionally, you can really appreciate the balance between bitterness and umami in the exquisite flavor of Uji matcha.
Furthermore, when you order the matcha kuzuneri, you can create your own set by choosing two sweets from their selection of six. During our visit, we selected the “Matcha flavored fresh cream chocolate cake.”
“抹茶千代古齢糖ケーキ,” Matcha flavored fresh cream chocolate cake
It’s a cake with a refreshing sweetness, featuring matcha ganache layered with almond sponge.
Additionally, customers can choose their preferred tea from a selection of over ten different varieties.
The Shinjuku branch of Kyo Hayashiya has staff members with qualifications as Japanese tea instructors who can guide you on selecting the appropriate tea to complement your menu choices.
All teas offered are meticulously selected by the tea specialty shop, providing a variety of flavors that allow you to experience the depth of tea.
Kyo Hayashiya in Shinjuku also provides a wide range of souvenirs and take-out options
Kyo Hayashiya’s Shinjuku location offers not only a delightful menu for dine-in but also a variety of souvenirs and take-out options.
The take-out menu features drinks and soft-serve ice cream, allowing you to conveniently enjoy matcha sweets on the go.
If you find something you particularly enjoy from the dine-in menu, consider purchasing it as a souvenir. Not only do they offer matcha, the shop also offers a selection of other teas such as hōjicha (roasted green tea) and sencha (a type of green tea) for sale.
Bringing back home some authentic matcha as a souvenir is sure to be appreciated, and it’s a great way to reminisce about your travel memories.
Kyo Hayashiya’s exterior
Information
| Store name | 京はやしや タカシマヤ タイムズスクエア店 Kyo Hayashiya Takashimaya Times Square |
|---|---|
| Address | Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square Main Bldg. 12F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Shinjuku Station（SJK） Short walk from Shinjuku Station New South Gate
Shinjuku-Sanchōme Station Short walk from Shinjuku-Sanchōme Station Exit E8
|
| Phone number | 03-4531-4173 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:00-22:00（last order 21:00） |
| Closed | No holidays excluding Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square holidays |
| Seating | （Indoor seating）29 seats 3 counter seats, 26 table seats （Outdoor seating）20 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://kyo-hayashiya.jp/shoplist/timessquare/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of February 2024.
