Chimoto: Worth the Two-Hour Wait for Shaved Ice
Translated from my original Japanese post (2018). 日本語の原文を読む →
I finally went to Chimoto, a Japanese confectionery (wagashi shop) known for its slightly unusual sweets!
It's on Meguro-dori, about a five-minute walk from Toritsudaigaku Station.
Every summer, Chimoto's limited-time kakigori (shaved ice) is hugely popular.
I miss out every year, so this year I was determined (lol).
But it's going to be crazy crowded... just look at Twitter.
I made it through a four-hour wait and had the shaved ice at Chimoto, the sweets shop in front of Toritsudaigaku Station. Fluffy shaved ice, packed with sweetness. #ShokusuruKitagamiYumiko #ShokusuruHakohimeIzumiTAN Shokusuru Tsuina-chan
http://t.co/zygRB4DDcT http://t.co/j0INkQuz5n— Tori (@Trippy02dec) August 28, 2015
This year the kakigori season started on July 15, and the popularity hasn't faded one bit... the waits are intense.
Shaved ice at Chimoto. I went at 10:30, made a reservation, and got to eat at 2:00 p.m.! pic.twitter.com/6XDf7vBQ6D
— Sora (@sora_yoko) July 28, 2018
Since I'd have to wait anyway, I figured I could have lunch in the meantime, so I charged in at 11:00 on a weekday morning when it ought to be quiet!!
The shop was full!! They told me a table would open up at 12:30 and handed me a slip of paper like this.
I didn't care if I had to share a table as long as I could eat! I booked a 1:00 p.m. slot.
While waiting for my turn, I had lunch nearby.
I went to a Taiwanese restaurant called hibusuma.
I had lu rou fan (braised pork rice) and gyoza, and honestly I totally overate (lol).
When my turn came, I headed to the shop with a stuffed belly...
The previous customers were still there, so I looked around the shop for a while.
Delicious-looking wagashi were lined up in the glass case.
The interior has a Japanese-modern look, and the chairs are apparently Cassina.
The restroom is almost entirely stainless steel, a total contrast to the front of the shop, which I found fun!
I'll leave that as a surprise for when you go.
You can tell how particular they are about the hardware.
When I came back from the restroom, every customer at the tables was eating what looked like uji kintoki (matcha and sweet bean) shaved ice!!
There are three options: plain shaved ice with syrup, syrup with toppings like sweet bean paste or shiratama dumplings, and the chef's choice (omakase).
I had heard that the uji kintoki-looking one is the "omakase" and that wagashi are hidden inside, so I chose it without hesitation!
After a few minutes, this was brought out...
It's like a mountain... I never imagined it would be this big!!
The biggest shaved ice I've ever had!! It must stand a good 30 cm tall.
And about 20 cm wide, I think... I wasn't sure I could finish it.
It's two-toned, condensed milk and matcha. It's more like snow than shaved ice, isn't it?
It melts softly in your mouth and is delicious!
As you dig in, you hit snow-like ice with no syrup.
And as you dig deeper, out come the wagashi, one after another! (lol)
Chunky sweet red bean paste, shiratama, mugwort dumplings, miso dumplings, white bean paste balls, jelly, mizu yokan (water jelly), something like kuzukiri (kudzu noodles), candied chestnuts, chestnuts in their astringent skins...
And of course Chimoto's signature "Yakumo mochi" was in there too!
The gyuhi (soft rice cake) dough is made with egg white, with the rich sweetness of brown sugar, and it's fluffy with fragrant cashew nuts inside.
It's Japanese at heart but tastes a bit like a Western sweet.
After enjoying all the wagashi, I couldn't finish the second half, and it turned into something like a matcha latte...
This is what happens... you shouldn't come here with a full stomach (lol).
If you're wondering what to do while you wait, keep lunch light or visit the nearby Yakumo Central Library!
Also, no matter how hot it is outside, by the time you finish eating you'll be freezing (lol).
How cold? Cold enough that I could blow my nose afterward...
Like the reverse of a hot bowl of ramen that makes your nose run, I guess?
It's only half as good on a cool day, so I recommend going when it's hot!
And on the way out, of course I bought Yakumo mochi as a souvenir.
The bamboo-skin box has a lovely charm.
If you want to try some unusual shaved ice, please go!
Chimoto (confectioner)
1-4-6 Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0023
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Thursdays
03-3718-4643
