Nihonbashi outlet of famed pastry shop offers delectable treats.
In 1708, ancestors of the Kuo family left their native home in China’s Fujian Province, crossed the Taiwan Strait and arrived in Taipei. In 1867, Kuo Liang-chen built a squat mudbrick shop in Shilin, Taipei, where he started a pastry business. In memory of his hometown’s ancestral hall, he gave his store the same name: Yuan Ye.
Today, Kuo Yuan Ye is not only Taiwan’s most historic pastry shop, but also the symbol of Taiwanese pastry culture. With the opening of its first branch overseas in COREDO Muromachi Terrace—the same building as Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi—Tokyoites can now experience these refined flavors for themselves. The following four items are among Kuo Yuan Ye’s most popular:
Taiwan Golden Prize Pineapple Shortcake
The award-winning pineapple cake of Kuo Yuan Ye is not only a symbolic Taiwanese sweet that tourists bring home with them from Taiwan, it is also a popular gift among the Taiwanese. Two versions—the traditional one, which includes white gourd, and a modern one without—are available at the store.
Taiwan-Style Paste Cake
This delicacy has a similar origin to wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet), known as rakugan. But Kuo Yuan Ye’s version is full of the flavors of the beautiful island of Taiwan. Influenced by the culinary styles of a variety of countries, this Taiwan-style paste cake is soft and creamy while highlighting the simple and natural tastes of its ingredients.
“The Blessing of Listening” Assorted Shortcakes
Every year, Kuo Yuan Ye makes a line of products in collaboration with designers, bringing a different perspective to Taiwanese cakes and pastries. The “Blessing of Listening” is a selection of six flavors of shortcake crafted to appeal to all five senses, making for an unforgettable experience.
Mini Pineapple Custard Puff Pastry Mooncake
Every culture has festival foods and the mooncake is widely known. This Taiwanese mooncake is wrapped in the shop’s signature puff pastry, handmade with 27 layers that yield a fluffy texture when combined with the pineapple salty egg custard stuffing. This incomparable flavor of sweetness with a hint of saltiness transports you right to the mid-autumn festival atmosphere of Taiwan.
KUO YUAN YE NIHONBASHI
Store Hours: 10am–9pm
COREDO Muromachi Terrace 2F
3-2-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 103-0022
KUO YUAN YE YURAKUCHO
Store Hours: 11am–9pm
ITOCiA Food Avenue B1
2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0006
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Store operation by Kizuki Trading Company (info@kizuki.online)
Angelinah Maphanga
Content Marketer, Custom Media
