Hyperlocal Tokyo

【August 2024, Takeout】 On this day, I picked up some of these "回転焼き" (a type of Japanese sweet) as a souvenir for my family from Ueno. Having a little something to bring home always makes dinner more enjoyable. The ones I took home were: - Azuki bean filling (151 yen) x 2 Each one was individually wrapped in a cute paper with the design "餡舎ひよ子" (An-sha Hiyoko). The "回転焼き" also had a branding mark baked onto them. When I had them for dessert, the slightly sweet crust was memorable. While there was plenty of azuki bean filling, I felt that the crust would pair better with custard. I often bring home "回転焼き" from the Kansai-based "御座候" (Gozahou), which can be enjoyed at places like "御座候 新宿高島屋店" (Gozahou Shinjuku Takashimaya Store). However, the "餡舎ひよ子" ones are sweeter. It's a matter of preference, but I personally prefer the "御座候" ones, which I've been familiar with since I was a child. This is all said while acknowledging that they were still quite delicious. Thank you for the meal.

This is the Tokyo Hiyoko "O-ban Yaki" shop, known for their "hiyoko" (chick) shaped pastries. The "O-ban Yaki" are imprinted with either a chick (filled with sweet bean paste) or a panda (filled with custard and seasonal flavors). They are delicious when freshly baked and piping hot. They also sell the famous "Hiyoko" confectionery. While there are many places in the station with sweets to take away or souvenirs, and cafes with sweet menus and eat-in options, it's surprisingly hard to find something sweet that's affordable, quick to buy, and can be eaten on the spot during a transfer. This is a great option if you're at Ueno Station and craving something sweet right now!

I had been meaning to check out this place because I'm a big fan of red bean paste, but I hadn't had the chance. I had a little time to spare during a train transfer, so I wandered around the Ekisuito and finally found it. I ordered a large pancake filled with red bean paste for 151 yen. It was classic, but the crust had a nice sweetness and was delicious. Now that I know where it is, I'll definitely be back when I transfer at Ueno Station. Next time, I want to try the custard or other flavors.

I visited this place for the first time on a weekday afternoon in August 2023. There was no line. I bought a box of six "hiyoko" (baby chick) taiyaki. They were heavier than I expected, with a satisfyingly dense texture. The dough was slightly thicker and chewy, but still firm. The red bean paste was delicious, not watery at all, as some reviews have mentioned. The seasonal limited-edition rare cheese filling was also good, with a refreshing yogurt-like tang.

The Taiyaki cost 151 yen. I bought red bean and custard and ate them right away while they were still hot, standing next to the monument. The red bean filling was thin and bland, almost like it was bulked up with something else. The dough was chewy on the inside and not very tasty. It was disappointing. The filling wasn't as dark as in the photos displayed in the shop, and I think it was definitely watered down. The custard was also just okay. The panda was cute, so the kids were happy.