Located about a five-minute walk from Machida Station along the bustling shopping street, Cafe Nakanoya is a highly renowned cafe, often featured in various media outlets as a "parfait lover's paradise." Reviews and TV programs have highlighted parfaits like fruit bouquets and edible flowers, raising expectations for their exceptional quality. The cafe also offers around eight different parfaits and creative udon noodles, creating a unique combination that's sure to impress. The interior of the relaxed cafe is simply lined with a menu sign listing the parfaits in length, with no photos to be found. While I was wondering which parfait I should choose to get the one I'd seen in the image, owner Ikuma Mori explained, "I don't post photos because I want customers to imagine what kind of parfait it is based on the menu. I only serve dishes that I'm confident will exceed that expectation." I was struck by Mori's words, which show that rather than just taking a photo of a parfait and posting it on social media, he focuses on creating a parfait as a dining experience.
The "Tamba Black Bean Mont Blanc," also known as the "Sunset" parfait, appeared on a cherry blossom pedestal. A mound of Tanba black bean paste is piled high to resemble Mount Fuji, with yuzu ice cream, kinako ice cream, shiratama (rice flour dumplings), and crispy crepes at the base. A crimson sunset is made of raspberry macarons, and the sea of trees at the foot of Mount Fuji is recreated with matcha chocolate cake.
"Tanba Black Bean Mont Blanc" (Sunset)
Next, a "certain scene" is recreated on a flat rectangular plate. The "Karesansui" parfait (1,728 yen including tax), reminiscent of the rock garden of Ryoanji Temple, is made up of kinako ice cream, white chocolate ganache infused with the scent of Kyoto bancha tea, crispy meringue, streusel (cinnamon cookies), and tiramisu. The texture and flavor of both parfaits change depending on where you eat them, so you'll discover something new and exciting with each bite, and you'll never get bored of them.
Beautiful "Karesansui" (Dry Landscape)
"I was thinking about how to express a "Japanese" aesthetic without using red bean paste or matcha, and that's what I came up with: a parfait with warabimochi and shiratama rice flour dumplings I made 10 years ago. Since then, as I've pursued the unique character of my shop, the amount, presentation, and fruit cutting have evolved, and I've come to express memorable moments and fleeting scenes I've experienced in my parfaits," says Mori. Even with popular menu items from the past, he rarely serves the same parfait twice, making changes whenever new ideas come to mind. "If we want customers to come all the way to Machida to try a parfait, it needs to be creative and impactful. I'm always thinking about how I can offer it in new forms, trying out combinations that have proven delicious in the past," he says in a calm yet confident tone. Nakanoya's appeal isn't just in its parfaits; its original udon noodles are also exquisite. During lunchtime, there's a great deal where you get a 200 yen discount when you order a parfait with your udon, so be sure to give it a try. The words "Putting our heart and soul into every parfait" posted on the wall of the shop convey Mori-san's overflowing passion for his parfaits. Come and try this "scenic parfait" that will evoke memories with a fresh mind.
【Store Information】
Cafe Nakanoya
Address: Nakanoya Shinkan 1F, 4-11-6 Haramachida, Machida, Tokyo
Telephone: Not listed
Hours: 11:00 - until sold out
Closed: Wednesdays
>> View the special feature [Famous Parfait Shops]
The "Tamba Black Bean Mont Blanc," also known as the "Sunset" parfait, appeared on a cherry blossom pedestal. A mound of Tanba black bean paste is piled high to resemble Mount Fuji, with yuzu ice cream, kinako ice cream, shiratama (rice flour dumplings), and crispy crepes at the base. A crimson sunset is made of raspberry macarons, and the sea of trees at the foot of Mount Fuji is recreated with matcha chocolate cake.
"Tanba Black Bean Mont Blanc" (Sunset)
Next, a "certain scene" is recreated on a flat rectangular plate. The "Karesansui" parfait (1,728 yen including tax), reminiscent of the rock garden of Ryoanji Temple, is made up of kinako ice cream, white chocolate ganache infused with the scent of Kyoto bancha tea, crispy meringue, streusel (cinnamon cookies), and tiramisu. The texture and flavor of both parfaits change depending on where you eat them, so you'll discover something new and exciting with each bite, and you'll never get bored of them.
Beautiful "Karesansui" (Dry Landscape)
"I was thinking about how to express a "Japanese" aesthetic without using red bean paste or matcha, and that's what I came up with: a parfait with warabimochi and shiratama rice flour dumplings I made 10 years ago. Since then, as I've pursued the unique character of my shop, the amount, presentation, and fruit cutting have evolved, and I've come to express memorable moments and fleeting scenes I've experienced in my parfaits," says Mori. Even with popular menu items from the past, he rarely serves the same parfait twice, making changes whenever new ideas come to mind. "If we want customers to come all the way to Machida to try a parfait, it needs to be creative and impactful. I'm always thinking about how I can offer it in new forms, trying out combinations that have proven delicious in the past," he says in a calm yet confident tone. Nakanoya's appeal isn't just in its parfaits; its original udon noodles are also exquisite. During lunchtime, there's a great deal where you get a 200 yen discount when you order a parfait with your udon, so be sure to give it a try. The words "Putting our heart and soul into every parfait" posted on the wall of the shop convey Mori-san's overflowing passion for his parfaits. Come and try this "scenic parfait" that will evoke memories with a fresh mind.
【Store Information】
Cafe Nakanoya
Address: Nakanoya Shinkan 1F, 4-11-6 Haramachida, Machida, Tokyo
Telephone: Not listed
Hours: 11:00 - until sold out
Closed: Wednesdays
>> View the special feature [Famous Parfait Shops]
