Issho Cafe Tokyo Dessert House, a newly opened Japanese-style café, has already gained attention for its unique menu and eye-catching offerings. Created by the same team behind Mango Coco, Issho Cafe offers a blend of savory and sweet dishes, featuring everything from light soufflé pancakes to savory chicken katsu topped pancakes, along with traditional Japanese desserts.
Located on George Street, near the Chinatown light rail stop, Issho Cafe draws customers in with its gleaming window displays of delectable cakes. The standout item? A strawberry and cream dome cake that seems to wink at passersby.
Two Levels of Cozy Dining
Issho Cafe spans two levels. The upstairs area is a cozy, dimly lit space, while the downstairs area is closer to the kitchen, offering a more vibrant vibe. The café’s décor features a playful combination of pink and green, creating a welcoming atmosphere. To order, customers use a QR code, offering a modern, streamlined experience.
Despite being labeled a “Tokyo Dessert House,” the café’s menu offers a wide range of savory options, blending traditional Japanese flavors with creative twists.
The Menu: Sweet and Savory Delights
The menu at Issho is extensive, prompting customers to ask for recommendations. For those who love soufflé pancakes, there are both sweet and savory versions to choose from. A standout savory dish is the chicken katsu soufflé pancake, topped with spicy mayonnaise. The pancakes are light and fluffy, a perfect balance of soft white bread and soufflé texture. The freshly cooked chicken fillet is moist, tender, and crumbed to perfection.
For meat lovers, the grilled wagyu steak rice bowl is another must-try. Topped with fried garlic, the wagyu is tender and full of flavor, seasoned with a tare-style sauce made with soy sauce.
A Dessert Lover’s Dream
Being a dessert-focused café, Issho offers a variety of indulgent treats. There are nine types of bingsu, including the signature matcha tiramisu, as well as sweet French toast, kakigori ice, and a range of drinks featuring matcha and coffee. The cakes displayed in the window are particularly tempting, with the matcha strawberry dome cake drawing much attention.
The matcha strawberry dome is a highlight. This light and fluffy cake features layers of vanilla sponge, a matcha cream center, and whipped cream topped with halved strawberries. The matcha adds a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness, making it a refreshing treat. While large enough to feed four, the cake is packaged to-go, allowing customers to enjoy it later.
A Matcha Latte Float: A Taste of Japan
For a unique drink experience, the matcha latte float combines premium matcha powder with creamy Hokkaido soft serve. The matcha is not sweetened, keeping the drink’s herbal bitterness, which contrasts beautifully with the rich, creamy soft serve. Despite the discrepancy between the menu’s photo and the actual presentation, the float’s generous serving of Hokkaido soft serve brings the authentic taste of Japan to Haymarket. Though served in a plastic cup with a paper straw, the float offers a satisfying experience reminiscent of trips to Japan.
A Flavorful Journey Awaits
Issho Cafe Tokyo Dessert House offers a delightful mix of sweet and savory options, transporting customers to Japan with every bite. Whether you’re craving souffle pancakes, traditional matcha desserts, or a taste of Hokkaido soft serve, this new café is a must-visit destination in the Haymarket area.
Have you ever sought out food from places you’ve traveled to? And if you’ve tried soufflé pancakes or Hokkaido soft serve, what did you think of them?
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