There are two things Melbourne has a deep love for; the first is almost any speciality dessert, and the second is the flavours and culinary styles of Japan. This ven-diagram of passions comes together in a big way in this city, with several different regional delicacies, time-honoured staples and Japanese influences on favourites, taking form in some seriously beloved treats.
Here are some of the best Japanese desserts in Melbourne:
Kumo Desserts
CBD
Opening next Wednesday 10 May, will be bringing a new wave of jiggly Japanese-inspired souffle pancakes to Melbourne. Housed deep inside Melbourne Central the new shop combines cloud-like pancakes with their signature gelato; a decadent combination of mascarpone, and cream cheese with a touch of cheddar—providing a tinge of salt to the sharp sweetness of the entire dessert. On the menu, you'll find the established favourites of Biscofee and Boba Brulee as well as a sugary green-tinged Pandan number. For the opening, the team are even teasing a bold Durian creation.
Kōri
HAWTHORN
is the boutique ice cream store inspired by the flavours and methods of Japan. The new shop is a joint venture between former Masterchef guest chef and dessert specialist, Bernard Chu (LuxBite) and trailblazing Melbourne chef, Joane Yeoh (Press Club, Tonka, Coda). This isn't your run-of-the-mill gelato store, Bernard and Joane have brought this less intense sugar approach and focused on flavour. If you’re overwhelmed by the flavour variety why not start with a Kōri staple and opt for the matcha pistachio.
LeTao
CBD
Opening back in 1998 in Otaru on Hokkaido (Japan's second largest Island) LeTao originated as a small-batch cheesecake store. Cultivating a devout following with their signature 'Double Fromage' recipe: A combination of Hokkaido cream, Australian cream cheese, and Italian Marscapone. There's an artisan level of craft to the texture and balance of flavours in every cheesecake from their original 'Double Fromage' to the more indulgent 'Double Chocolat' with Spanish chocolate and even a sweet pumpkin option.
Keki Milk Bar
CBD
Specialising in the delicacy of souffle pancakes or 'Fuwa Fuwa' in Japanese (fluffy and light), this wonderous dessert creation originated in Japan sometime in the 1970s. , the local Melbourne cafe specialises in the genre and serves up nine different options from a matcha-flavoured number, a homage to tiramisu as well as a staple strawberry option.
Le Bajo Milk Bar
NORTH MELBOURNE
Fuse the aesthetics of Japan, 70s Australia and a touch of Bali and throw it into a converted North Melbourne warehouse and you've got LeBajo Milk Bar. The eclectic cafe serves up an abundance of treats but the hero here is the Japanese fruit cream sando. Sandwiched between thick-cut slices of Shokupan milk bread, the centre is a mosaic of thick cream and settings of freshly-cut fruit—foremostly strawberry and kiwifruit.
Uncle Tetsu
CBD
When Uncle Tetsu opened its store in Melbourne, it was an absolute frenzy. The brand started in Fukuoka in Japan in 1990 and has spread across Asia, Canada, the US and New Zealand like some sort of delicious zombie apocalypse. Their juggernaut success is pretty much down to a single menu item: their light-as-air, fluffy, super subtle, perfectly browned cheesecakes.
Check out more of Melbourne's best:
Melbourne's best restaurants
Melbourne's best cafes
Melbourne's best bars
Melbourne's best breakfast
Image credit: LeTao (supplied)