One thing I‘ve always wanted to try in Japan was dorayaki, which is a famous sweet food consists of two pancakes with anko (sweet bean paste) in the middle. Being a popular street food, it is sold virtually everywhere, including convenient stores and supermarkets. However, it’s really hard to find them vegan, isn‘t it?
At KAWA KITCHEN close to the station Kura-mae near Asakusa, it is possible to enjoy a vegan and even gluten-free version, which is pretty amazing! Also, it’s not the normal plain dorayaki but a super pretty, insta-worthy one filled with unique ingredients and lots of cream.
About KAWA KITCHEN
As the name KAWA KITCHEN, with kawa meaning river in Japanese, indicates, the café is located right at the famous Sumida River, so you can enjoy your food with a stunning view of the river and Tokyo Skytree, especially if you have a window seat.
On the fist floor is a small shop selling everything you need for a more waste-free life, like for example reusable, sturdy zip-lock bags.
Once you go upstairs to the second floor and you chose your seat, the waiter will bring the menu. After deciding you then need to scan a barcode at your seat and order online. This kind of system seems to be popular now, as many cafés I’ve been to recently operate that way. And don´t worry, the menu comes in English, too. When the food is done, it will be brought to your seat.
There are four types of dorayaki which you order in pairs of two (880¥) or a set of three (1210¥), and you can decide what combination you want to have.
The flavors are:
Plain Dorayaki
Strawberry & Sake Lees Cream Dorayaki
Peanut & Rum Raisin Dorayaki
Almond Chocolate & Coffee Dorayaki
There are also seasonal types of fillings, for example in autumn they had these ones with pumpkin.
The café also offers bowls, sandwiches, shaved ice as well as a variety of drinks, including coffee and tea beverages. While not everything at KAWA KITCHEN is vegan, most items are and they are clearly marked on the menu, same goes for gluten-free options. As only use natural ingredients free from chemicals, preservatives and GMO are used, you can indulge into your food without worries.
They are also taking actions for more sustainability, like using seasonal ingredients, checking where the ingredients come from, not using cheap meat, having vegan options, recycling, doing composting, avoiding food waste as much as possible through better storage of ingredients and the staff taking home left-overs.
When you finished, you take the barcode with you to the register on the first floor to pay. Careful, they take cards only, no cash!
My Experience
First of all, the dorayaki were really beautiful and delicious, especially the filings. They looked like little pieces of art.
The dough however was a little bit on the dry side and not a s fluffy as dorayaki I had before. Even tough they look quite small, they are actually very filling!
Strawberry & Sake Lees Cream Dorayaki
As I love strawberries, I had to try the Strawberry & Sake Lees Cream Dorayaki. It had a nice sweetness, the cream was super soft and creamy and the strawberries were rich in taste. The green herb on top rounded up the taste.
Almond Chocolate & Coffee Dorayaki
Even though it has coffee in the name, I could only taste the chocolate, which was a bit disappointing, but still very yummy! And the almond brittles added a nice crunchy texture to the cream.
Oatmilk Hojicha Latte
For drink I chose the Hojicha Latte which was made with creamy oat milk and had a rich hojicha taste. Hojicha is roasted green tea. I really recommend this drink!
All in all, I recommend KAWA KITCHEN if you want to try vegan and/or gluten-free dorayakai. I guess it also makes a nice date-spot or when you want to talk with your friend while looking at Sumida River.
If you went there or know other places with vegan dorayaki, feel free to share it in the comments below.
Price span:
440¥ - 1980¥
Opening hours:
Wednesday, Thursday: 11:00 - 18:00 (L.O. food: 17:30, L.O. drink: 17:30)
Friday: 11:00 - 21:00 （L.O. food: 20:00, L.O. drink: 20:30）
Saturday: 10:00 - 21:00 （L.O. food: 20:00, L.O. drink: 20:30）
Sunday:: 10:00 - 18:00 （L.O. food: 17:30, L.O. drink: 17:30）
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Address:
2 Chome-10-11 Kuramae, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0051, Japan
Tel.:
050-8884-9950
Website:
Instagram:
About Sumida River
Sumida River is Tokyo’s most famous river and on more or less the only one of the many waterways Tokyo used to have that is still visible. Tokyos waterways used to be very important up until Edo-period (1603-1868), being lively places used for transportation, leisure and trade. However, most of them are either gone completely highways or buildings on top. The river Sumida is mentioned in famous novels like Nagai Kafūs „The River Sumida“.
Check out my vegan food guide for Japan, here:
Check out my Sightseeing x Vegan Food guides for Kyoto
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