“TORAYA AN STAND” is a café specializing in the sweet bean paste known in Japanese as anko or an, and as of November 2023, it has four locations in Tokyo and Kanagawa.
The café was created by the renowned traditional Japanese confectionery Toraya, and offers a smooth-textured “An Paste” made from Toraya’s signature sweet bean paste. At TORAYA AN STAND, you can enjoy it on toast and in beverages.
TORAYA AN STAND’s An Paste is super easy to make a part of your daily routine
“A lifestyle with An”
An is a Japan born sweet using plant based ingredients.Experience the delicate and pleasant flavor of An in your daily life.
The message above that TORAYA AN STAND sends to their customers is reflected well in their menu.
One item that accomplishes that on the menu is their simple “An Toast,” toasted bread enjoyed by spreading a topping of An Paste and butter.
“あんトースト こしあん＆黒砂糖とメープルシロップ,” An Toast – Puréed Azuki Bean, Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup 551 JPY (tax included)
There are two types of An Paste toppings on the An Toast. One is the simple koshi-an puréed azuki bean, a smooth red bean paste made with azuki beans, sugar, and agar.
The other, Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup, enhances the flavor of an with maple syrup and kokutō (Japanese brown sugar), offering a deep and rich sweetness.
The presence of agar in both pastes results in a delightfully smooth and glossy texture.
Simply spreading An Paste on toast is delicious enough, but mixing it with butter halfway through adds a delightful twist.
The sweetness of An Paste becomes more pronounced as it blends with the butter, providing a pleasantly surprising change in flavor.
Adding An Paste to a household food like toast really embodies the store’s concept of incorporating an into your everyday food life. To further that, you can purchase An Paste at TORAYA AN STAND storefronts or online shops, making it possible to enjoy your very own An Toast at home as well.
AN PASTE – Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup (left); AN PASTE – Puréed Azuki Bean Paste (right)
An Paste isn’t just for meals, however. It’s also versatile enough to use in beverages.
The “An Paste Café au lait” is one of the most popular items on TORAYA AN STAND’s menu, and as you can guess from its name, is a café au lait that is prepared using An Paste.
“あんペーストカフェオレ アイス,” Cold An Paste Café au lait 681 JPY (tax included)
Stirring the An Paste at the bottom of the cup into the café au lait before drinking unlocks a refreshing taste that lingers.
An Paste offers a mellow sweetness, different from the typical café au lait made with sugar.
The “An Paste Matcha au lait,” popular among international visitors, amplifies the sweetness and depth of the paste’s flavor even more.
“あんペースト抹茶オレ アイス,” Cold An Paste Matcha au lait 741 JPY (tax included)
The An Paste doesn’t solidify and become clumpy when added to drinks and dissolves smoothly, making it a recommended alternative to sugar.
A delightful pairing with drinks is the shop’s “An-Pan,” a honey-infused milk bread roll filled with plenty of An Paste-Puréed Azuki Bean Paste.
“あんパン こしあん,” An-Pan – Puréed Azuki Bean 471 JPY (tax included)
In particular, the refreshing An Paste café au lait pairs especially well with the sweetness of the An-Pan, resulting in a fulfilling balance of flavor.
An Paste can also be used as an ingredient for dressings. It’s not just easy to work into your daily life, its versatility opens up a world of creative culinary possibilities.
TORAYA AN STAND is a fusion of tradition and innovation
Toraya, a renowned establishment founded in the later part of the Muromachi period, is one of Japan’s leading traditional confectioneries. In the 1980s, it expanded its presence overseas.
Drawing on the experience and expertise cultivated through international ventures and its long history, TORAYA AN STAND offers a fresh way to enjoy the appeal of sweet bean paste.
TORAYA AN STAND’s interior
In addition, the store offers limited-edition sweets on the menu that change approximately 4 times a year featuring seasonal ingredients. These limited sweets allow you to experience the essence of each season in Japan, and are definitely worth checking out on your visit.
With new encounters awaiting each time you visit, why not explore the world of Japan’s innovative sweets at TORAYA AN STAND?
TORAYA AN STAND’s exterior
Information
| Store name | トラヤあんスタンド新宿店 TORAYA AN STAND SHINJUKU |
|---|---|
| Address | NEWoMan Shinjuku 2F, 5-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shinjuku Station（SJK） Short walk from Shinjuku Station New South Gate
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| Phone number | 03-6273-1073 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 10:00-21:00 |
| Closed | No holidays excluding NEWoMan Shinjuku holidays |
| Seating | 14 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://anstand.toraya-group.co.jp/shops/shinjuku/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of January 2024.
