If you happen to be in the Shinjuku Area, do make a detour to BAKE by Kinotoya. This super popular Sapporo cheese tart brand has finally opened its first shop in Tokyo! I always wanted to try its cheese tarts at the Hokkaido fairs in Tokyo but they are always sold in box of 6. Now they can be bought individually at 200yen each or SGD2.15.....$2.15???? so cheap!!
Now let me rave a little about this golden cheese tart. Be it hot or chilled, the tart cracks into a pool of not gooey, but very tender and cream cheese layer. The ratio of pastry to filling is also spot-on. The secret to the awesome deliciousness? A blend of 3 different cheese and a touch of salt to string all the Hokkaido prized dairy ingredients into one.
Another well-know industry secret is that the pastry base and the cheese is baked separately, meaning double baked-- a key to a perfect tart. In addition, the"Just-in-Time" concept implies that the tarts are produced in small batches regularly in the kitchen so that customers can enjoy the pastry at its prime condition, fresh and hot from the oven.
The point is that one really ought to try this. Not that there is a lack of similarities (similar cheese tart by Boulmich Tokyo) but this is a legendary one (just like Mouth's Liu Sha Bao) that is widely embraced the hearts of locals. I doubt you will have a difficult time locating the shop as the aroma of cheese and butter draws you miles away. Good news is that you don't have to beat the crowd to get a slice of this cheesy dream and a new outlet is now opened at Jiyugaoka.
BAKE
Lumine Est 1F, 3-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
Nearest station Shinjuku
Tel 03-5925-8170
11am-10pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays 10:30am-10pm)
Jiyugaoka Outlet:
1-31-10, Jiyugaoka Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0035
11am-8pm
Access Map: http://www.bake.co.jp/