Pastel’s pudding creator made history in Japan with his “nameraka” (velvety) smooth pudding back in 1990’s, when Japanese puddings were normally hard.
The Smooth Pudding
I thought Purin (aka. custard pudding) from conbinis, like Family Mart and Lawson or Seven Eleven in Japan tasted great… until one day my cousin bought us a box of Nameraka Purin from Pastel (パステルのなめらかプリン, 420yen) in Ikebukuro.
And, omg, were they amazing!
Just like their name, it was so smooth and velvety, it just melted in your mouth.
After finishing one, it wasn’t quite enough. 😂
Then, things just got better with their updated pudding.
The Updated Smooth Pudding ‘1984’
“Smooth Pudding 1984” (なめらかプリン1984) is the updated version of their Nameraka ‘smooth’ Purin. (‘1984’ comes from the year they invented the original velvety pudding.)
Apparently they pay attention to the weather everyday to adjust the mixture, duration and temperature they cook them at, to the degree and to the second.
Smooth Pudding 1984 (for 540yen) is sold in their “NEW” Pastel branded shops (with a navy text logo, not sky blue) like their flagship store in Omotesando, Tokyo which opened in April 2023.
The special 1984 variety is only sold in select locations, but their regular Smooth Pudding (which is still great) is available in their chain stores spotted around, including Kamata (Granduo), Ikebukuro, and Yokohama. Both varieties are a 🥉(=worth stopping by) on #myrevisitlist.
Japan Pudding Awards
The chef that created Pastel’s smooth pudding and made the velvety smooth pudding popular back in the 90’s kicked off the Japan Pudding Awards in 2022.
The winners of the 2023 Japan Pudding Awards were:
First place
岐阜「粋料亭 助六」料亭和ぷりん
Sukeroku’s Ryotei Wa Purin, Gifu prefecture
Second place
鳥取「Totto PURIN」砂プリン,
Totto PURIN’s Suna Purin, Tottori prefecture
Third place
岐阜「白川郷ぷりんの家」水ぷりん,
Shirakawago Purinya’s Mizu Purin, Gifu prefecture
Honorable mention
大阪 「古墳くんのプリン」利休ほうじ茶プリン
Kofun-kun Purin’s RIkyu Hojicha Purin, Osaka Prefecture
The Pastel chef also shares his recipe for a smooth purin.
Check out more sweets in Japan
🥈 Freshly made Japanese sweets at Tsuruya Yoshinobu, Tokyo
At Tsuruya Yoshinobu’s Tokyo Mise shop, a Japanese sweets artisan makes traditional sweets right in front of you to have with Matcha tea.
🥇 Best Manju worth traveling for in Shizuoka, Japan
In 2010, a memorable trip to Izu for hot springs included discovering Genraku’s black sesame manju in Shuzenji. The delicious treat left a lasting impression, prompting a return visit five years later primarily for the manju. Shuzenji, known for its hot springs and temples, became a priority stop thanks to the iconic black manju.
🥈Amazing Anko & Mochi at Akasaka Aono, Tokyo Japan
The Mame-Daifuku and Akasaka Mochi were delightful, with even Steve Jobs being a fan. Akasaka Aono, a 125-year-old confectionery store in Tokyo, is definitely worth a visit.
Leave a Reply