Chocolate and caramel bliss at Nissho Kaikan in Kabuto-cho, a town steeped in history. teal’s luxurious baked sweets

Do you sometimes want to find a souvenir for yourself or for your loved ones on a day when you are a little tired from work?

On such occasions, my first stop is teal, a chocolate and ice cream specialty store located in the iconic Nisshokan building in Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho.

Nisshokan, where teal is located, is a historical building built in 1928 on the site of the former residence of Shibusawa Eiichi. The massive stone exterior makes one’s spine stand tall, but once inside, a warm space filled with sweet and savory aroma prevails.

The interior of the store is a classic modern space that blends the old and the new, with a refined interior design while taking advantage of the classical architectural beauty of the Art Deco style geometric design. The high ceilings create a sense of openness, and the showcases display beautiful jewel-like items that are inspiring just to look at them.

Two of Japan’s leading patissiers show off their skills here.

Shohei Masago: Chef Masago studied at the prestigious “Pascal Le Gac” in France and is one of the top class chocolatiers in Japan.

Chef Keisuke Oyama: After training at the legendary “Idemisugino” in Kyobashi, he worked as chef-patissier at the two-star “Ristorante ASO” and one-star “Restaurant Cynthia”. He developed the very popular restaurant “EASE” in Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho, which was introduced previously.

A place where you can enjoy the finest chocolates presented by top patissiers, the sweets created by these two geniuses are full of surprises that will make you forget your everyday life with just one bite.

I purchased four items as souvenirs this time.

1. rum-scented “brownie” for adults

The mellow aroma of rum that spreads the moment you open the bag is perfect for an “adult’s rest”. The dough made with French chocolate is surprisingly moist and rich. The texture of the pecan nuts scattered luxuriously enhances the depth of the bitter chocolate.

The savory taste of the nuts enhances the richness and makes you feel luxurious. This is a dish to be savored slowly with coffee!

2. “Pecan nut and soybean flour cookies” that melt in your mouth and are a gentle blend of Japanese and Western flavors

The moment you put it in your mouth, the savory flavor of soybeans spreads, followed by a gentle, refreshing sweetness like that of wasanbon. The delicate texture of the pecan nut accentuates the delicate taste and makes it an elegant accompaniment to Japanese tea.

A harmony of kinako (soybean flour) and pecan nuts in a blend of Japanese and Western flavors. Since it is not too sweet, it is an ideal gift for those who do not like sweets.

3. a refreshing surprise! Madeleines with burnt lemon.

It has a hefty weight in your hand and is as satisfying as a pound cake. The dough is baked with butter and honey lemon browned together and coated with bitter chocolate. The refreshing aftertaste of lemon that comes after the rich chocolate is a taste of precise calculation.

4. “Chocolate bar (salted caramel)” filled with pleasant surprises

Here is teal’s signature. The chocolate bar. There are three types in the store: the classic “Chocolate,” the rich “Caramel,” and the “Salted Caramel,” which is caramel topped with salt, which I chose this time.

A luxurious piece of buttery sable dough layered with dried berries, ganache, and caramel. The buttery cookie and rich caramel blend perfectly with the bitter chocolate. And the playfulness of the berries and nuts hidden on only one side! The excitement doesn’t stop until the last bite.

Stylishly boxed, it makes a perfect gift.

When I taste teal’s baked goods, I feel my heart relax and unwind like that. The cutting-edge flavors born from a rich history have given a special touch of color to my busy days. Next time, I want to enjoy their seasonal ice cream! and I am already looking forward to my next visit.

When you visit Kabuto-cho, why not pick up this blissful blend of history and innovation?