Shooken Main Store — Local services in Nagasaki

Stepping into Shooken is like stepping through a portal to 17th-century Japan, where the air is thick with the scent of history and the sweet promise of Castella, a dessert that has been perfected over 344 years. Established in 1681 in Nagasaki, this legendary confectionery is not just a restaurant but a living testament to culinary artistry, and my visit here was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance enveloped us in a serene embrace. The traditional Japanese architecture, with its elegant simplicity, whispered tales of the Edo era, while the warm, welcoming staff made us feel like honored guests in a bygone time. Nestled near the historic Megane-bashi bridge, Shooken’s location is as much a part of its charm as its storied past, offering a perfect respite after a day of exploring Nagasaki’s rich cultural tapestry. But the true star of the show was, of course, the Castella—the famous sponge cake that has made Shooken a household name among dessert aficionados. We opted for a tasting of their signature varieties: the classic, the matcha, and the chocolate, each a masterpiece in its own right. The classic Castella was a revelation—fluffy yet dense, with a golden crust that gave way to a moist, airy interior. The subtle sweetness, punctuated by the delightful crunch of zarame sugar crystals at the base, was a symphony of textures and flavors that danced on the palate. It was clear why this recipe, honed since the days of Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, is considered one of Nagasaki’s “Big...

＊Gosanyaki Castella 五三焼カステラ🌟 Gosanyaki castella was the real standout. “Gosanyaki” means they use more egg yolk and sugar than traditional castella for a richer color and sweeter taste. The sponges were indeed much finer and moister. Honey yellow in the center, sandwiched between the golden brown surface and the bottom sprinkled with sugar crystals. The velvety and moist sponge cake was gently sweet from the malty syrup.

＊Matcha Chestnut Castella 渋皮栗寄せ抹茶カステラ They use Hoshino Yame Matcha (星野奥八女), a ceremonial grade matcha from Fukuoka, to craft this seasonal special flavor. The premium matcha gave the castella a deep umami taste, while the smashed chestnut subtly layered up the textures.

＊Shooken Castella 松翁軒カステラ A duo set of two classic castella flavors, original and chocolate. The castella was apparently less delicate than the gosanyaki one, which somehow remind me of a finer version of butter pound cake.

＊Lemon Cake レモンケーキ The lemon shape was so cute. It was actually similar to madelaine topped with a lemon-y glaze. What really surprised us was that there were lemon peels studded...

This is the tip of the Nagasaki castellaberg (sponge cake to the rest of us). The cake is sublime, especially the lemon variety, with lemon zest giving it a flowery aroma. And the coffee is their own blend, sublimely rich with overtones of chocolate. But the prize is the store interior, made up like an old-style European coffee shop, and superb service that will even laugh at your lame jokes, that is how...