Otaru Sweet House

Sweet potato doesn't seem to be a very popular ingredient for desserts. However, the soft, sweet, starchy tuber holds a special place in my heart be it savory or sweet.

Caramelized daigaku imo? Yes please!
Sweet potato fries? Why, sure! Pile them on!
Vanilla-scented sweet potato mash? Mmm..That sounds better than regular mashed potatoes!

To my delight, I discovered that the Otaru Sweet House at the Isetan Hokkaido Fair had not one but THREE sweet potato desserts!


Sweet Potato Pie

Caramelized sweet potato puree with a layer of custard in the middle. Carb-laden goodness!


Chocolate Sweet Potato Pudding

Sweet potato puree, pudding and dark chocolate drizzle. Sweet potato and chocolate may seem like a strange pairing but all I can say is..don't knock it till you've tried it.


Full Moon

Caramel cream, pudding and caramelized sweet potato puree. This reminds me of a caramel purin with sweet potato on top.


Otaru Sweet House
Isetan Hokkaido Fair
Isetan Scotts Supermarket
Basement 1
19-29 June

Isetan Tampines
Tampines Mall Atrium Level 1
3 - 12 July

Isetan Hokkaido Fair

Oh Isetan Hokkaido Fair..How I adore thee! Why do you only grace us with your presence once a year?


Matcha Gelato, Cream Dowa

I spied Black Sesame and PUMPKIN gelato in the display case yesterday but I was way too full from the cupcake I had at lunch so I made a trip down to Isetan earlier this afternoon to get my gelato fix. Alas, both flavors were SOLD OUT. I had to settle for Matcha which wasn't a bad choice. Definitely one of the better Matcha renditions I've tried. I just wanted to try a more unusual flavor.

Note to self: ALWAYS make space for dessert!


Butter Manju with CUSTARD, Hokayu

I read about this a few months ago and have been patiently waiting for the Hokkaido Fair just so I can try this. The custard is not too sweet but the texture is very thick and rich. One manju is more than enough for me!

I was very, very tempted by the fresh salted caramels but at almost $10 a box I decided that they were an unnecessary extravagance and ended up with some sweet potato goodies instead!


Isetan Hokkaido Fair
Isetan Scotts Supermarket
Basement 1
19-29 June

Isetan Tampines
Tampines Mall Atrium Level 1
3 - 12 July

Canelés

I had my first canelé back in 2007 in Los Angeles. I remember eyeing the small stack of fluted pastry with curiousity. La Brea Bakery made vanilla and chocolate versions and of course I had to try one of each.

The chewy caramelized crust revealed a moist, tender almost mochi-like center scented with vanilla and rum. Delicious!

My brother and I made a stop at Choupinette along Bukit Timah to pick up some Vanilla Eclairs (I'm not a fan of this) and I saw that they too had canelés.


Canelés


Canelé innards

They were just okay. The canelés tasted better warm but lacked vanilla flavor.

Does anyone know where I can find good canelés in Singapore?


Choupinette
607 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01

La Brea Bakery
624 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Doughnut Plant

My best discovery during a recent trip to Korea was not one of the local dessert places but an import from New York. I wasn't able to find the time to stop by Doughnut Plant during my trip to NYC in 2007 so I was delighted to find an outlet in Myeong Dong, Korea.



The display case was absolutely gorgeous with a multitude of flavors calling out to me.
One bite of the Tres Leches doughnut and I fell in love. Needless to say, I went back everyday.


Creme Brulee & Tres Leches


Creme Brulee innards
Soft, pillowy dough filled with vanilla specked custard and topped with caramelized brown sugar. If only you were bigger.


Chocolate Blackout & Tres Leches


Chocolate Blackout innards
Dark chocolate cake filled with a rich chocolate pudding and covered in cake crumbs. Surprisingly, this wasn't as decadent as I thought it would be.

And of course, I saved the best for last..


Tres Leches innards
Moist, buttery cake filled with sweet creamy milk pudding. I could eat this everyday!


Mark Isreal, you are a doughnut genius but would you please please please set up a shop in Singapore so I don't have to go to Japan, Korea or NYC to get my Tres Leches fix?


Doughnut Plant
Sinchon (Exit 3)
Myeong Dong, Korea

Hello!

Sutoroberi Shotokeki

Delicate, soft chiffon.
Chantilly cream as light as air.
Sweet, juicy strawberries.

You are responsible for my dessert obsession!


Fujiya
6-9-3 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo