Mammaru

For a dessert centred on shiratama—soft, chewy rice-flour dumplings—try a seasonal fruit pairing. The fruit served with the shiratama at Mammaru changes with the seasons. One visitor recalled enjoying the dumplings with tart strawberries, white syrup and sweet bean paste. The menu also features Warm Strawberry Shiratama, made with dough kneaded with strawberry juice, and strawberry anmitsu with kuzumochi, agar jelly and red peas. Choose fruit-forward shiratama or a dessert that brings together agar and sweet bean paste; the seasonal flavours offer several ways to decide.

Another classic to look out for is Mammaru Taiyaki, a round-shaped fish-shaped cake. Diners have singled out its crisp exterior, chewy dough and generous filling of sweet bean paste. Pair it with shiratama for a more substantial sweet, or keep things light with a taiyaki and a drink.

Drinks include matcha lattes, green tea and Japanese royal milk tea with brown sugar syrup, all easy companions to dessert. For a full meal, consider a rice bowl served with salad, soup and a small side dish, or Japanese-style keema curry seasoned with 13 kinds of spice and a subtle touch of sweet bean paste. It is an option for lunch as well as a sweet stop.