Sembikiya Nihonbashi (Main Store) — Restaurant in Tokyo

Sembikiya is kind of a special place. When I walked in, I got hit with this aura of prestige as I saw these perfectly manicured fruits, in delicate packaging, priced expensively for gift-giving purposes. It's one of these uniquely Japanese experiences that is impossible to replicate anywhere else. Because I live in the US, I obviously can't gift fresh fruits because the USDA discourages it, but they also have some amazing preserved fruits, as well, and I eventually decided on sliced and jellied white peaches as my gift choice.

I went upstairs to the fruit parlor to actually taste some of these seasonal beauty queen fruits. For maximum seasonality, I decided to order the limited-edition pear and orange parfait, consisting of Le Lectier Pears from Niigata Prefecture and Oranges from the Amakusa Islands off of Kyushu. It's sort of difficult to put into words, but despite the high price tag, I did not think in any way that the price was any sort of rip-off. I've never had fruits that were so perfectly ripe from edge-to-edge, with no evidence whatsoever of bruises or hardness/bitterness to be found. The pears were especially impressive, because they had this custardy mouthfeel that is sought after in great pears but so rare to actually find, especially when raw.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience. As a once in a while sort of affair, it's worth the price of admission to try out these fruits. I might dock a point on the atmosphere aspect because the decor is a tad on the cold/old-fashioned side of things, but that's...

Finally had a full meal here instead of just desserts. This is my best place for fruit parfait in Tokyo, definitely a league above Takano. This location in particular is the best decorated one with the most meticulous (and English speaking) staff. Food wise, the mango curry was very decent but not something I'd crave to comeback for. The Yoshoku platter came with multiple meats and fried tempura, and baked cheese seafood rice. Portions were not too great but I believe it is planned this way so we can save room for the main course which was the dessert parfait. Musk Melon is a must try, and the sembikiya signature parfait is a very wonderful melody of the juiciest fruits you'd ever taste. Overall, this place is amazing. Price wise, while not super expensive, it is definitely very expensive for parfaits and slightly upscale meals. For the money and calories, this is the perfect...

Marvelous place! One of my must visit place when I am in Tokyo. And I am in Tokyo at least twice a year.

This year 4 times in Tokyo so 4 times visiting this place.

It’s a little pricey but if you can afford it, please do visit the place. Don’t go to a place and complain that it is expensive and discourage the shop. I do not mean this shop in particular. It meant you cannot afford it.. and everybody knows that the last 10% of the quality comes with maybe unreasonable cost. But we, or gluttony like us, want those places to be exists.

Today we are going for the third time of the year. Next month, I am coming to Japan again.. it will...