The Art of Wagashi at Minamoto Kitchoan
Cupcakes, cookies, French macarons.
So yesterday.
For unique sweet treats that will truly surprise and tantalize, step inside Minamoto Kitchoan, a Japanese confectionery store that has locations in downtown San Francisco and in San Jose’s Mitsuwa Marketplace plaza.
The stores specialize in wagashi, handmade, intricate sweets made with mochi, azuki red bean paste and fruit. Traditionally, they were designed to be served during Japanese tea ceremonies. With their sweet flavor, they are the ideal accompaniment to a cup of hot, fragrant, astringent green tea.
Minamoto Kitchoan receives a shipment every two months from Japan. The wagashi are shipped frozen in a state-of-the-art process that renders them much colder than in any home freezer, yet doesn’t impair their delicacy.
Although some offerings are available year-round, the store also changes its selections with the seasons and the holidays. The sweets are individually wrapped and sell for $2 on up, depending upon the variety.
One of my favorites is only available through June: kashiwamochi, in which a real oak leaf envelopes a white ball of sticky, pounded rice with a center of creamy, sweet bean paste. Unwrap it and inhale the fragrance of the forest.
Earlier this year, I also indulged in an amazing soft, wiggly cherry jelly that encased a whole, real cherry. It was like a tiny work of art.
The Market Street store in San Francisco, a short stroll from the Palace Hotel, opened late last year and already has attracted crowds, both Asian and non-Asian ones. Indeed, the store manager there told me that a lot of customers are tourists from other states and countries, unable to resist these unique confections as souvenirs to tote home.
They make for great hostess gifts. You won’t be able to resist bringing home a few for yourself, either.
More: My Write-Up on Minamoto Kitchoan for Tasting Table San Francisco
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Thursday, 20. May 2010 5:52
A lovely art! That jelly wagashi is so pretty!
Cheers,
Rosa
Thursday, 20. May 2010 6:36
So pretty! I love Japanese sweet stores, everything is so delicate and pretty!
Thursday, 20. May 2010 7:30
These are truly beautiful works of art. Since I’ve been living in LA, I have not had a chance to visit the confectionery store in SF yet. I cannot wait until my next visit to the bay, this sweet shop is on my list.
Thursday, 20. May 2010 8:43
I’ve always walked by the store on Market Street and wondered what it was all about. Thanks for the preview, maybe I’ll walk in next time.
Thursday, 20. May 2010 9:41
These look very pretty. I must try to freeze the mochi balls next time. Japanese desserts are really delicious. I have only tried a few.
Thursday, 20. May 2010 9:43
Oh, the jelly one looks nice! I’ve visited the display at the Mitsuwa in San Jose. Never been to the one in SF. Must make a trip next time I’m there.
Thursday, 20. May 2010 12:43
Hold up… Mitsuwa on Saratoga? I work minutes away! Awesome!!!!
Thursday, 20. May 2010 13:52
Japanese sweets are special and they aren’t very common here, a little in sushi bars. I’d like trying the kashiwamochi
Cheers,
Gera
Thursday, 20. May 2010 16:27
MaryMoh: I’m not sure if you can freeze them at home that well. The Minamoto folks said the way they are frozen in Japan for transport is at a temperature much colder than a normal home freezer can do. But if you give it a try and it does work, let us know.
Friday, 21. May 2010 1:11
wow. i’ve just realized how woefully little i know about japanese sweets!
Friday, 21. May 2010 1:16
I’ll go check it out at San Jose Mitsuwa
Saturday, 22. May 2010 4:45
[...] I want my hubby to try to make it at home. But then Foodgal jumped it up a level with her post on The Art of Wagashi where she wrote about the art of mochi and shared a store in the San Francisco Bay Area where you [...]
Saturday, 22. May 2010 17:44
Interesting! Once again, I have learned something new on your site! That cherry jelly is amazing!
Saturday, 22. May 2010 23:26
Everything looks delicious! The red cherry jelly is a real work of art.
Please participate in my giveaway at http://atasteofkoko.blogspot.com/2010/05/men-can-cook-feat-classic-spaghetti.html
Sunday, 23. May 2010 18:51
I love this place, and its like works of art every where you look, I get a treat but almost had to bit into it as it is just so pretty. Almost, because I am not disappointed, the taste is delicious.
Have you seen this event?
http://www.jcccnc.org/events/apr-jun.htm#Wagashi
Tuesday, 25. May 2010 21:05
I adore Minamoto Kitchoan! Am very fortunate to have two locations close by – NJ and NYC. The seasonal treats are my favorite, will make sure I stop by soon to try the kashiwamochi, thanks for the rec!