Korean Sweets Boom! A Wagashi Enthusiast Tries the Trend – Are They Worth the Hype?
Bakery & Sweets CAFE PANNARA
Even though it was a weekday, a line of women had formed even before the store opened. The aroma of freshly baked bread tickled my nostrils as I stepped into the bright white store. The name “Pannara” means bread country in Korean, and as the name implies, there are always more than 20 varieties of breads and sweets on hand.
Among the six types of croissants, the pink raspberry croissant is by far the most popular. From its gorgeous appearance, one would expect the croissant to be extremely sweet, but the crispy texture of the croissant dough and the generous amount of sweet and sour, refreshing raspberry cream in the ribbon part are perfectly balanced and never boring. The balance between the croissant dough and the sweet and sour raspberry cream filled in the ribbon is exquisite and never gets old.
The “Einspänner” drink is a must-try. The luxurious taste of deep-roasted coffee and plenty of fresh cream is not only delicious, but also visually stunning. No wonder it has become a big boom in Korea.
Let’s introduce the ordered items (prices are tax-exclusive).
◯ “Ribbon Croissant Framboise” – ¥580
When held, it feels heavier than it looks, but the light and airy cream makes it easy to eat in one go! In addition to framboise, other flavors include chestnut, chocolate, matcha, Earl Grey cream, and fresh cream.
◯ “Crookie” – ¥510
A hybrid sweet popular in Korea, combining the crispy layers of a croissant with a sweet and moist cat-shaped cookie. The dog version is also popular for its adorable look.
◯ “Heart Chocolate” – ¥380
A heart-shaped hard bread made with cocoa powder and chocolate kneaded into the dough. With its mildly sweet dough, even those who aren’t big on sweets can enjoy it.
◯ “Einspänner” – ¥620
A deep-roasted coffee topped with a generous amount of fresh cream, a hugely popular coffee drink in Korea. The rich cream perfectly complements the strong coffee, making for a satisfying cup.
◯ “Strawberry Latte” – ¥620
Fresh strawberries, sugar, and plenty of milk come together in this sweet drink that’s irresistible for strawberry lovers, both in taste and appearance.
■ Bakery & Sweets CAFE PANNARA ■ Address: 2-2-5 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Patio Takeuchi 101. Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
