Umezono

A natural place to start at Umezono is its signature mitarashi-dango: rice dumplings in an oblong shape rather than the usual round ones, served with a savoury-sweet glaze. Diners who have tried them in the shop have remarked on the fragrance of the grilled surface and the combination of warm, soft rice dumplings with the sauce. The serving of 5 skewers makes a satisfying sweet in its own right, or can be shared alongside other dishes.

For another flavour alongside the dango, consider the brown sugar warabi-mochi. One diner who tried both matcha and brown sugar versions said the gentle sweetness of the brown sugar was more to their taste. The menu also offers a set of mitarashi-dango with brown sugar warabi-mochi. For a little variety, there is a sweet-tasting assortment pairing mitarashi-dango with warabi-mochi and candied chestnuts. A set with a small matcha parfait brings together dango, matcha ice cream, matcha cake and warabi-mochi; the parfait can be changed to vanilla on request.

For a warm dessert, options include zenzai with grilled rice cake, mochi shiruko, and zenzai served with chestnuts and matcha sauce. These offer a different way to enjoy mochi and suit a leisurely sweet break. Drinks include hōjicha, sencha and matcha. Enjoy sweets and dango in the shop, or take the mitarashi-dango away. Umezono can work for a pause in Kawaramachi as well as for a snack to eat on the go.