All The Sakura-Themed Desserts & Treats To Celebrate The Spring Season
Missing Spring in Japan? Check out these spots
By Michelle Lee SM -
Miss being able to catch the iconic cherry blossoms in bloom in Japan? Apart from catching them at Gardens by the Bay's annual sakura showcase, you can also check out these dining spots where the celebrated Spring blossom gets the spotlight with these dreamy sakura-themed desserts and other delightful treats.
Japanese restaurant and sushi bar Koma welcomes Spring with three ‘sakura tai’ delicacies and an artfully handcrafted sakura pavlova.
Savour the delicate sweetness of wild-caught tai (Japanese sea bream), a Spring favourite for its hue that's similar to the colour of sakura, with the Sakura Tai "Sugata-mori" Style Sashimi ($280++). It's presented as a whole fish with its head and tail on as a nod to tradition. For appetisers, try the Sakura Tai Carpaccio ($36++), a modern spin on the delicacy featuring asparagus, Japan’s mikan oranges and balsamic shoyu. Pair these with Sakura Tai Tempura ($28++) starring Japanese broccolini, another Spring must-have. The three sakura tai specials are available daily till Mar 28, 2024.
Sweeten the celebrations with the Sakura Pavlova ($38++), a pink-hued chocolate sphere concealing a refreshing combination of citrus meringue, pineapple confit and fresh coconut sorbet, served with three sakura-shaped macarons.
Koma is at #B1-67, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018972. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Spend a leisurely afternoon tucking into a spread of bites centred around Japanese flavours and the hanami season. Savouries include Pink Lady Sushi and Mentai Chicken Sliders. Once you're done polishing those off, you can satiate your sweet tooth with a Strawberry Mochi Waffle, Cherry Blossom and Strawberry Roll Cakes, Chocolate Choux, and scones with jam and cream. Finish with a pot of aromatic sakura tea.
Available from Mon to Fri (2.30 pm to 5.30 pm) for $29++ (U.P. $58++), and on Sat, Sun, and public holidays for $34 (U.P. $68++). Ohayo Mama San is at 313 Somerset, #01-29, Singapore 238895.
Love For Wagashi is a local business specialising in traditional handcrafted Japanese sweets, and for the season, it's offering traditional Japanese Nerikiri sets (from $28 for a box of four) and various Spring wagashi including Sakuramochi and Strawberry Daifuku.
Together with Camellia Tea Bar, it's also hosting a Nerikiri Experience + Tea Pairing workshop ($108), where you'll get to craft your own traditional nerikiri with sakura fillings as well as enjoy complimentary wagashi and tea.
Find out more here.
Celebrate the enchanting Sakura season through Leckerbaer's seasonal box of cherry blossom-themed mini tarts and puffs. Sample new creations such as the Elderflower & Rhubarb Tart, as well as the Raspberry & Sakura Puff, filled with sakura pastry cream, raspberry compote and gel, then crowned with a raspberry blackcurrant Italian meringue.
From $13.08 for a box of four. Visit Leckerbaer's outlets at Shaw House, Keong Saik Road and Mandai Wildlife West, or get them at its online store.
Sip on the flavours of Spring with TWG's limited-edition Sakura! Sakura! Tea in a pretty pink tea tin. Floral petals and green tea leaves mingle together for a delicately aromatic brew.
Along with the tea, there are the delightful Sakura! Sakura! Tea-infused macarons. These boast crisp pink almond shells that sandwich cherry jam and chocolate ganache accentuated with the natural flavours of green tea and sweet notes of blossoms.
The Sakura! Sakura! Tea is priced at $50 (100g tin) and the macarons are from $15 for a box of six. Available for a limited time at all TWG salons and boutiques, and on its online store.
Dulcet & Studio is offering a medley of cherry blossom delights. Treat yourself to its pink-hued Sakura series with the likes of a Sakura Crystal Roll ($6), Sakura Shortcake ($12), Sakura Tiramisu ($5), and a pretty Jelly ($5.50) with the enchanting blossom embedded within.
Available at all Dulcet & Studio outlets or on its online store, while stocks last.
From Mar 6 to April 30, 2024, Gokoku Japanese Bakery is introducing a floral twist to its bakes. The crowd-favourite anpan now comes in the limited-time Sakura Anpan option ($2.80) featuring a soft fluffy bun filled with sakura essence-laced white bean paste. Mijinko (potato starch crumb) and cherry blossom petals add a charming final flourish.
Also pretty in pink is the Strawberry Pretzel ($3.10), crispy puff pastry pretzel coated with strawberry cream and a sprinkling of strawberry bits
Gokoku Japanese Bakery has multiple outlets including at Nex, Great World, Guoco Tower, Jurong Point, Vivocity and Millenia Walk. Visit its website for the full list of locations.
Sushi-Go has unveiled a Sakura Sunburst series that includes the Sakura Inari ($2.50) of sweet beancurd skin sushi pressed with spices and crowned with a cherry blossom pickle. Also on the menu are Springtime delights like the Tai Carpaccio Sushi ($4.20), with creamy sea bream complemented by a tangy dressing as well as the Sakura Ebi Roll($3.50) housing sakura ebi with egg and crab stick.
You can also dig into the Sakura Ebi Kakiage ($2.50), a crisp sakura ebi and onion fritter, or make it a more substantial meal with the Sakura Ebi Kakiage Udon ($5.80).
Sushi-Go has outlets at Vivocity, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Marina Square and Jurong Point. Visit its website for more information.