Desserts and Snacks of SF Japantown

As a kid, I loved hanging out around Japantown. The architecture stood unique, the stores were full of novel and interesting toys, and the aromas that drifted out of its many eateries were a constant temptation. Over the years, Japantown has changed. The restaurants and shops from my childhood no longer remain. But every time I walk into the mall, those feelings come rushing back and the temptations remain. Japantown has started to see a resurgence as new restaurants and eateries have opened up and moved in to the area. Here, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite dessert and snack stops, new and old, from Japantown for others to try.

Matcha Maiko

I am a matcha enjoyer. Over the years, I’ve tried matcha ice cream from a variety of sources, from Haagen-Dazs and Maeda-en to small local brands and random soft serve machines across Japan. The quality is always different – sometimes too bitter, sometimes too creamy, sometimes too gritty or firm. There’s always seems to be something just a tad off. But ever since I tried Matcha Maiko (map), I’ve found my perfect cone. The matcha vanilla swirl has the best balance of flavor and texture that I’ve found to date. The best part, they have two additional locations in SF, one in Stonestown Galleria and the other in Chinatown, so you, and I, can get our fix from across SF.

Mochill Mochi Donut

My cousin introduced me to this shop. Soft, chewy, and made in a variety of flavor combinations, Mochill’s (map) mochi donuts are the perfect treat any time, any day. I like buying a set of 6 and sharing them with family and friends. Pulling them apart (or cutting them) allows each person to sample all the flavors you inevitably decide to try. These are the only donuts I eat with any regularity, which is only 2 or 3 times a year, and I’m always left wanting more.

Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop

Located in an unsuspecting grocery store, Sweet Stop (map) serves up an amazing Coffee Crunch Cake. By itself, it runs a bit on the sweet side but when paired with ice cream, as my family often does, it makes for a great treat to celebrate a birthday or any special occasion. You can buy individual slices day of but if you’re looking for a full cake, it’s best to put an order in a few days ahead. Walk in, a head to the right where the bakery counter is located to find one of SF’s hidden gems.