Chou à la crème (cream puffs), known as “shu cream” in Japanese, are a perpetually popular fixture at patisseries across Japan. Last November, the new bakery-cafe Cf. Harajuku in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku district was inspired to offer a new spin on the classic pastry by combining it with another beloved French confectionery–the macaron.
It dubbed the resulting hybrid sweet treat with a uniquely new taste and texture a shu macaron, and photos of the elegant creations have been trending over Japanese social media. ▼ Cf. Harajuku is located just off of Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Street, making it an easy stop for visitors to the area.
Individual shu macarons range from 380-590 yen, while a full set (pictured below) costs 2,980 yen. ▼ Clockwise from upper right: Lemon, pistachio, whole strawberry (the most popular flavor with one whole strawberry inside), vanilla, chocolate, matcha. Center: limited-time strawberry While the cafe also sells small meals and caffeinated beverages, a new collaboration drink set was just released on May 13 that will have tea enthusiasts eager to stop by at their first chance.
Cf. Harajuku has partnered with herb ryokucha (green/Japanese tea) artist Asami Ishizuka to offer a set of six original blends of iced herbal ryokucha. Each blend uses Japanese tea as a base infused with combinations of all-natural herbs that give rise to differences in color, taste, and aroma.
▼ The herbal ryokucha set costs 85o yen. One glass contains 25 mil.