Kikumaru 甘味茶房菊丸: Hidden Wagashi House Off Busy Asakusa

Kikumaru is another Wagashi house that is located in Asakusa but off the crowded touristy zone. Hence, it is not surprising to learn that there is no mention of this place on any guide book or tour blog.  Like 森の園 Morinoen, it also serves matcha and houjicha parfait. But i decided to kill two birds with one stone by having the Special parfait (¥1100). 

There is not much difference compared to other parfaits: bran corn flakes, azuki beans, whipped cream, jelly. But there is a whopping amount of ice cream here: matcha ice cream, Houjicha ice cream and vanilla soft serve. Luckily, the ice cream was not too sugary and their signature anko paste is also worthy of the name. In fact, Kikumaru takes pride in its ingredients as 60% of the soft serve is made with full fat milk and no artificial coloring or sweeteners. A special breed of beans from Furano, Hokkaido, called 赤豌豆Akaendo is also used here. 

Instead of the quirky "Versailles Anmitsu" (Anmitsu with a rose shape apricot), I opted for the Uji Kintoki Kakigori (900 yen), adding one scoop of kurogoma ice cream. Doesn't this Kakigori look like a ship? 

What is good about this place is the flexibility to change or add on any ice cream flavour of your choice. There were even sake and salt vanilla flavour! A good mid-point rest stop if you are going to explore Asakusa and Kappabashi (Kitchen Street) area. It is also a place that I recommend if you like to avoid the mad crowds at Kagetsudo 花月堂。

P.S. Savoury Menu of Anago Chirashi, Curry bentos, etc. is also available 

甘味茶房菊丸 Kikumaru 

Tokyo Taito-ku Nishi Asakusa 2-4-1 

Fukushima Building 1F 

Daily 11.30am-7pm (L.O. 6.30pm)

Nearest Station : Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa 浅草 or Tawaramachi 田原町

http://kanmidokoro-kikumaru.com/

Other nearby eats in Asakusa: Funawa,  Kagetsudo , Yoshikami , Tempura Sansada, Umezono