[TOKYO] Shinn Uguisu Tei – traditional Japanese sweets shop

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 5 - ueno park

Dear Food Diary:
After finding the Panda Donuts, my plan was to walk around Ueno Park. But it started pouring, I bought a new umbrella and braved the cold, but after a while, I was defeated. Walking back to the subway station, I see this beautiful old house, close to the Ueno Zoo. Its green surroundings prevented a clear view, so I took a couple steps to investigate.

As I got closer, a lovely Japanese lady greeted me. She invited me in and I happily obliged.

It turned out to be a traditional Japanese sweets shop (wagashi). I had some warm matcha tea and japanese dumplings (mochi)  to help me hide from the cold rain…

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 4 - ueno park

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 3 - ueno park

Shinn Uguisu Tei menu - japanese traditional sweets shop - ueno park
Enough tourists stop by Ueno park/zoo/museum area that they had an English menu. Since I love mochi, I thought Japanese dumplings were similar and therefore perfect.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop - ueno park
My view of the lush green garden and the melody of rain drops falling continuesly.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 2 - ueno park
Soothing matcha tea, just what I needed… It’s nice to explore the city without any schedule…

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 7 - ueno park

The table in front had 2 girlfriends chit chatting, it made me miss my ChubbyBuddies, felt a little bit homesick. This would be a great place to catch up with the girls. Or a date with StalkerBoy. Though, knowing him, he would probably eat the dumplings in one bite and eye mine.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets dumplings 2 - ueno park
Sweet Red Bean, Sweet White Bean and Sweet Green Tea.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets dumplings- ueno park
They were different than what I expected. It’s like an inside out mochi. The sweet bean filling is wrapping the soft chewy mochi center instead of the other way around. How interesting. The bean paste is very smooth, with tiny speckles of grainy texture that melted in my mouth. Not overly sweet, subtle yet identifiable flavors from my childhood.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets dumplings 3 - ueno park
The contrast of the green tea shows it best, I’ve never had mochi or I guess Japanese dumplings like these before. All 3 flavors were pretty good, but in order of preference I would have to say red bean, then green tea and finally white bean, only because the flavor was very faint.

Shinn Uguisu Tei - japanese traditional sweets shop 6 - ueno park
After a couple cups of tea, I was hoping the rain would stop. The smell of fresh grass filled the air, but the rain kept coming down.

ueno park rainy day
To avoid the rain and evening rush hour, I decided it was time to head back.

It was a lovely random find that turned my rainy day into a sweet delight.

I couldn’t find an address or a website, but just look for it around the Ueno Zoo.

P.S. Chubby’s Rating:chubby rating 4

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