Minamoto Kitchoan - Honolulu

This is an upscale Japanese snack and dessert shop situated in the heart of Ala Moana Shopping Mall. The offerings may be seasonal, and they often look almost too beautiful to eat. There is a wide variety of treats available, including cakes, mochi, daifuku, baumkuchen, and castella cake, all presented exquisitely. The decor is elegant and sophisticated. This is a chain, as I have noticed their other locations across the US and in various countries.

This restaurant offers upscale seasonal snacks from Japan. If you've traveled to Japan and are craving the flavors or treats you remember, you can find them here. However, just like in Japan, these snacks are often considered treats or gifts meant to be shared with others as souvenirs.

The Children's Day display was wonderful. The staff were friendly and attentive. The treats from Japan were delicious and fresh.

Have you heard the popular Japanese saying Me de taberu Nihonjin (Japanese people eat with their eyes) ? The Japanese seem to place a lot of importance on the art of arranging food and its taste. This culinary artistry ethic appears to be on the same high level as French haute cuisine. On two recent occasions, we were tasked with getting deserts for my sister-in-law and my eldest sister 's BFF to celebrate Japanese Girl 's Day (Hinamatsuri). Minamoto Kitchoan came to mind as we usually pass by this Japanese confectionery while roaming around Ala Moana Center. We were drawn into the store because of its window displays, clean and organized vitrines with product representation, and collection of traditional Japanese dolls AKA ningyō. Upon entry to this store, the workers cheerfully greeted and acknowledged us. Right away, we knew both recipients would appreciate the presentation, natural fruit flavors that aren 't cloyingly sweet like European, American or southeast Asian desserts, and textures of these Japanese confections. We took several minutes browsing around the store while one of the demure employees politely offered her assistance. We selected two twelve-piece boxes of white peach mochi and two five-piece boxes of sakuragoromo (sweet bean paste, mochi, and edible cherry blossom leaf encased in a Japanese-style crêpe) as our gift choices. The sales representative went to her store room to give us the freshly delivered product and reminded us to refrigerate the products since we wouldn 't consume them immediately. Since we were gifting the mochi confections, we informed the sales representative that we 'd advise the storage recommendation to the recipients. At purchase, the cashier gift-wrapped each box and placed them into a crisp paper tote bag. Both women gleefully appreciated our gifts, and I hope to try Minamoto Kitchoan 's other seasonal or signature confections soon. We even registered for their rewards program since I know we 'll be returning.

This place is a bit on the pricy side. 15 dorayaki for $60 doesn't feel like a good price, but the individual cost of $4 does mean the math comes out right. Cost is comparable to Big Island Candies across the way.I was able to get a new year lucky box there, and it was very good. Each item was individually wrapped, and they seem to specialize in japanese jellos, which are fruit flavored and not as heavily sweet or calorie heavy as us brands. Flavor was very good and included fruit pieces. However outside of a sale, it does make the wallet feel like crying. But a very good option if in need for higher quality omiyage, especially if the person has a nut allergy so the usual macadamia goods don't work.