Kyoto 京都: Waguri Senmon Saori 精致上等栗子甜点

Waguri Senmon Saori is a Japanese chestnut specialty store, opened its door in 2019 along the Kamo River in Kiyamachi-dori, Kyoto. It is famous for Montblanc topped with a finely spun one millimeter Kinshi brocade topping. Every Kinshi brocade Montblanc is freshly made to order.

We read reviews saying that it might have a long queue to get a seat. However, we just went in directly without any queue and surprisingly managed to get counter seats too. So lucky of us. We arrived early like around 1145am, just before the lunch hours kicked in. There were more customers coming in right after we seated.

Our counter seat's view!

In Japan's restaurant, most of the time sharing plate is not allowed. Therefore, we had to order one plate per person. Look at that portion! Definitely no joke.

The woven texture of the chestnut was too delicate to be expressed by hand, therefore, it was created by squeezing the chestnuts to a thickness of 1mm squeezer.

The Japanese chestnuts that Saori is using for their desserts are from a specifically high-end variety of chestnut, named "Tamba".

This was the most popular item in the menu, Chestnut Montblanc. It can be enjoyed using either the highest quality Tamba chestnut, named the Saori "Sha" (2,860 yen included tax) or the Japanese chestnut produced in Ebino, Miyazaki prefecture, named the Saori "Ro" (1,980 yen included tax).

And of course, we chose the super silky high-end rare Tamba chestnut for our chestnut Montblanc. They only take 100 orders per day. The sweetness of the sugar is fully minimized to enhance the delicate and mellow flavour of the chestnuts so that their true flavour can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Tamba Kuri is a Japanese chestnut that grows in the Tamba region, from Kyoto prefecture to Hyogo prefecture. Among them, Tamba Kuri which are produced in Kyoto are considered the finest quality Japanese chestnut. These fine chestnuts are characterized by their size and elegant, sweet fragrance.

Tamba Kuri chestnut produces in small quantities which made up of 1% domestically grown chestnuts and therefore, it is very hard to obtain. Saori's Tamba Kuri chestnuts are obtained directly from the contract farmers and each of the raw chestnuts are peeled by hand. Normally, the chestnuts that have been damaged or eaten by insects tend to be used as paste but Saori only use carefully selected Tamba Kuri chestnuts for their products.

We also ordered the Japanese chestnut and Seasonal fruit parfait (2,750 yen included tax). Saori only picked the seasonal fruits at the peak of deliciousness to serve with the Japanese chestnuts. The seasonal fruits are carefully selected based on their acidity, sweetness and aroma that can enhance the flavour of the chestnuts so that their customers able to enjoy the most luxurious combination of it.

We were here during the winter season and therefore, the seasonal fruit picked by Saori was the strawberries. The acidity, sweetness and aroma of the strawberries goes really well with the Japanese chestnut. Loveeee it. The taste was well-balanced with all 4 senses. Yumm..

How and where should I start first?

Another best thing was all the dessert sets were served along with a cup of tea or coffee or apple juice except matcha green tea and alcoholic beverages that needs an additional charge.