Located in Tokyo’s trendy Hatagaya neighbourhood, Kasiki is an artisanal ice-cream parlour serving soft scoops with a twist. Aromatic, alluring and complex, the unique flavour combination – including kumquat and Earl Grey; chocolate chip and cardamom; rhubarb and Japanese pepper – sound more like the ingredients found on the label of a luxury perfume than a scoop of gelato. But it’s what the ice cream is served alongside that makes this a must-visit Tokyo establishment. With a weekly changing menu inspired by Japan’s seasonal fruits and herbs, Kasiki pairs its frozen treats with organic wines. Ask its staff to recommend something white, red or bubbly, and see how it lifts the subtle notes in their hand-churned scoops.
Located in Tokyo’s trendy Hatagaya neighbourhood, Kasiki serves soft scoops with natural wines
Wine and ice cream make for an odd couple, but that’s not the only unlikely pairing on offer at Kasiki. Enter, the “Ice Cream and Soup” menu. Hear us out: imagine an ice-cold scoop of caramel and rum placed in a hot pumpkin broth. It melts and morphs in texture and flavour, oozing into a warm, cosy stew of sweet toffee and savoury spices. Changing each month, previous bowls have paired minty sambuca with a tart kiwi syrup, and plum and basil with a fragrant tomato broth.
Wine and ice cream make for an odd couple, but that’s not the only unlikely pairing on offer at Kasiki. Enter, the “Ice Cream and Soup” menu. Hear us out: imagine an ice-cold scoop of caramel and rum placed in a hot pumpkin broth. It melts and morphs in texture and flavour, oozing into a warm, cosy stew of sweet toffee and savoury spices. Changing each month, previous bowls have paired minty sambuca with a tart kiwi syrup, and plum and basil with a fragrant tomato broth.
Pared-back, neutral interiors offer a serene escape from Tokyo's buzz
With soothing earth-toned interiors and curved, paint-washed walls, the ice-cream parlour is a serene escape from the hustle of central Tokyo. Tucked between record stores, cafés, wine bars and vintage stores, Kasiki is a stroll from a train that connects directly to Tokyo’s transport hub, Shinjuku, in less than ten minutes. On weekends, it attracts a decent queue, so get there early, or pop in until 9pm for a post-dinner scoop and sip.
With soothing earth-toned interiors and curved, paint-washed walls, the ice-cream parlour is a serene escape from the hustle of central Tokyo. Tucked between record stores, cafés, wine bars and vintage stores, Kasiki is a stroll from a train that connects directly to Tokyo’s transport hub, Shinjuku, in less than ten minutes. On weekends, it attracts a decent queue, so get there early, or pop in until 9pm for a post-dinner scoop and sip.
The Lowdown
1 Chome-13-2 Nishihara, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0066, Japan; instagram.com/kasiki