Crepe expectations – Amai Kawaii delivers Japanese desserts to FudoDori
If you’ve made the pilgrimage to Tokyo’s cutting-edge cultural hub of Harajuku, you already know that the area is the birthplace of many fashion-forward and food-based crazes. One in particular has endured for decades – the Japanese crepe. The dessert has since spread across far and wide with creperies popping up all over the country and abroad, yet Harajuku remains the epicentre of Japan’s crepe obsession. Elizabeth Street’s pan-Asian food hub FudoDori quietly welcomed a Harajuku-inspired crepe dispensary of its own last week, with Amai Kawaii satiating sweet and savoury cravings from the heart of this blossoming mini-precinct.
First came Kyoto-inspired cafe concept Koto Sanpo, then sizzling barbecue joint Yakiniku Hachi followed suit. Now, FudoDori’s selection of Japanese-inspired eateries has been bolstered by the arrival of dessert depot Amai Kawaii. The pastel-pink creperie softly opened in the heart of FudoDori’s alleyway of eats last week, occupying a space in the central courtyard that is bracketed on either side by a forthcoming Thai eatery and hot-pot joint (stay tuned for more on those). Amai Kawaii’s offering is inspired by Tokyo’s crepe craze, with a range of delectable options boasting the same coveted ingredient combinations found at most of Japan’s popular outlets. A colourful plastic sample display showcases the options available – two tiers encompassing savoury and sweet choices – while a glass barrier gives customers a view of the cooktop, where skilled hands shape the batter into a fluffy pancake before loading it with fillings, folding it and sending it your way.
While crepes are often considered a sweet item best reserved for a post-meal treat, Amai Kawaii’s menu boasts options suitable for breakfast and lunch. Those seeking a nifty morning option that can be wielded on the go with one hand can swing through and nab a simple Nutella and banana crepe or one filled with chicken and cream cheese. Savoury lunch options include chicken teriyaki with mayo, tuna with chilli pepper and tuna with wasabi mayo. The selection of sweet crepes is where Amai Kawaii starts to truly shine – ingredient combos include peaches and cream, strawberry and azuki (also known as red mung bean), chocolate and almond, and chocolate and banana. Add-ons such as vanilla ice-cream, condensed milk, sliced almonds and a variety of sauces give customers some scope for customisation, while a rotating deluxe crepe option (this month a torched creme-brulee crepe with chocolate chips) offers an elevated option for gourmands. In the coming weeks Amai Kawaii will debut its range of towering parfaits and a selection of colourful kakigōri (Japanese shaved-ice desserts). The jaw-dropping parfaits come with the likes of caramel pearls, chocolate almonds, mango and more, while the kakigōri will boast curiously named options like the Pine Delmonte Deluxe, Coffee Jelly Tiramisu, Tokyo Anmitsu and Strawberry Daifuku Royale.
Amai Kawaii is now open. Head to the Stumble Guide for more details.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
