Hyperlocal Tokyo

**Asakusa Area, Tokyo** **人形焼き (Ningyo-yaki) Shop on Nakamise-dori Street, Sensoji Temple** I was drawn to the cute castella-style cakes. The molds are unique and feature retro designs that are representative of Asakusa, a place known for its temple. There are large lanterns, five-story pagodas, pigeons, and even a thunder god. The filling is sweet bean paste, not overly sweet. The cakes stay soft even the next day. For those who don't like sweet bean paste, there's also a version without it. The cute, small, coin-shaped boxes with the designs are around 500 yen. They make a great little gift. **Kimurake Ningyo-yaki Honpo** Located a short walk from Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line. Open 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM, Friday - Sunday 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM No days off

As you stroll down Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, a nostalgic aroma wafts through the air. It's the sweet scent of freshly baked ningyo-yaki, emanating from Kimura-ke Ningyo-yaki Honpo. This historic shop, established in 1885, is a popular destination for tourists seeking a taste of Asakusa's charm. Stepping inside, you'll be greeted by a dazzling array of colorful ningyo-yaki displayed in the showcase. From the classic red bean paste filling to seasonal variations, each one is meticulously handcrafted. Particularly popular are the four molds shaped after Asakusa's iconic symbols: the dove, the five-story pagoda, the lantern, and the thunder god. Taking a bite, you'll be captivated by the soft, fluffy exterior and the moist, tender interior. The red bean paste, made with Hokkaido-grown azuki beans, is delicately sweet and simply irresistible. Enjoying it piping hot fills your mouth with pure bliss. Kimura-ke Ningyo-yaki Honpo's ningyo-yaki are also highly sought after as souvenirs. Their adorable packaging makes them a popular choice for gifts.

This shop is always on the way when visiting Sensoji Temple. You can see the artisans hand-baking the "Ningyo Yaki" (doll-shaped pastry). If you buy a bag (with or without filling), you can get freshly baked, warm "Ningyo Yaki". The freshly baked pastry has a crispy, slightly hard exterior and a soft, fluffy center near the filling. You can enjoy the fragrant, savory flavor of the dough, which is not found in machine-baked pastries. Incidentally, the bag of six for 600 yen this time includes four molds: a pigeon, a five-story pagoda, a large lantern, and a thunder god. In summer, it's best to eat this with vanilla ice cream.

I think this is the best ningyo-yaki in Asakusa. The ningyo-yaki is baked on a griddle in front of the shop and then bagged, so I highly recommend trying it while it's still warm. It's also fun to watch the ningyo-yaki being baked on the assembly line, as they are beautifully browned.