Visit Osaka: Naruto Taiyaki Hompo

Naruto Taiyaki Hompo is a chain that can be found throughout Japan, specializing in Taiyaki.  

Red Bean

The menu is very small - just 3 varieties of Taiyaki, along with some Monaka. 

Green Tea Ice Cream Monaka

Japanese Ice Cream Monaka

It was a nice, sweet treat!

Cash only. 

Naruto Taiyaki Hompo

1 Chome-4-10 Sennichimae

Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074, Japan

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New Honolulu Dessert Shop: Malu Honolulu

As soon as I saw pictures of this super cute kimbap and dessert shop located inside the Sam Sung Plaza, I knew I had to make it a part of my weekend plans!  Of course I wanted to try their taiyaki soft serve, but their cute little crepe cakes had faces and were also calling my name.  Unfortunately we came from lunch and no one wanted to share the cute crepe cakes with me.  

With the taiyaki soft serve, you have your choice of one topping and one sauce. It was really good, but I think the soft serve would be better if it was creamier.  My daughter opted for a green tea jelly drink and it was very good. I could really taste the matcha which I didn't expect.  

The staff was super nice and sent over some strawberry dorayaki for us to sample! 

It was very yummy! Malu Honolulu has a ton of other desserts that I can't wait to try like their shave ice with strawberry foam. I saw it on their IG and it looks dreamy! 

They are open daily at 11am except for Thursdays.

Green Tea Jelly Drink

Samples of the Strawberry Dorayaki

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Taiyaki Soft Serve Round-up

Somisomi Ah-boong $5.95

This year probably sets the record for number of ice cream shops that opened in Hawaii.  Thank goodness a few of those were taikyaki ice cream shops!  I've tried all three and my favorite is Somisomi, located in Ala Moana Shopping Center.  I just love their light and crispy cone!  The ice cream is also super creamy.      

Gimme Chills Taiyaki Ice Cream $5.95

The taiyaki ice cream at Gimme Chills is also yummy, but the cone was more crunch like than chewy.  Located in the Samsung Plaza, they are open daily from 10:30am -10pm and until 11pm on the weekend.  Gimme Chills also serves up Bingsu, rice cake sticks, honey toast, and frozen smores!   

Kokoro Café Shaka Boom $6.50

While technically not a taiyaki cone, the shaka-boom is like a fun cousin.  Located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's food court, Kokoro Café fills their shaka shaped waffle cone with tropical flavors like dole whip, coconut, and acai berry.  While I enjoyed the shaka boom, I liked their Over the Rainbow mochi-pop so much more.   

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