Waguri Senmon Saori 和栗専門 紗織 京都河原町 (Kyoto, JAPAN) ★★★★★

We had such a wonderful time at Waguri Senmon Saori (和栗専門 紗織), a specialty sweets shop in Kyoto devoted entirely to the art of Japanese chestnut desserts ("waguri") that we found ourselves returning for a second trip in less than ten months. And it turned out to be just as magical the second time around.

The dessert shop is best known for its signature "Kinshi Mont Blanc", a dessert made with premium Tanba chestnuts (丹波栗) which are squeezed out into ultra-fine 1mm strands right in front of diners. The popular dessert has made the place buzzing with tourists and locals alike, all eager for a taste of this uniquely Japanese take on Mont Blanc.

The experience is further elevated further by the gorgeous view of picturesque Kamo River (鴨川), a slice of serenity that perfectly complements the delicate sweets. 

On our first visit, we were seated upstairs at a regular table, but this time, I made sure we snagged front-row seats at the bar counter, the best spot to watch the chefs work their quiet magic.

The menu here is focused and uncompromising. The main decision is whether to go for the Tanba chestnuts from Kyoto or Japanese chestnuts from Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture. Naturally, we went with the Tanba variety, known for its rich aroma and naturally sweet flavor.

First up, we were offered a small savory drink, likely a dashi-based palate cleanser, made with what I thought was bonito or kombu.

Sitting in front of the special "squeezer" gave us the front-row seats we lauded for this occasion.

Of course, we couldn’t resist pulling out our smartphones to record the mesmerizing “noodle-making” moment — a ritual that’s now part of the Saori (紗織) experience.

Right in front of us, the chef gently pressed the chestnut paste through the fine mesh of the squeezer, forming incredibly fine threads, cascading like silk over the base of crisp meringue and fluffy fresh cream made from Hokkaido cream. A perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

Despite this being our second visit in a row, our parents (especially mom) were loving it just as much as the first time — if not more. It's a rare thing to find a dessert so refined, so seasonal, and yet so comforting.

Food Rating: 7.3/10

Price: ￥￥￥￥

Address: 2-170-1 Izumiyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8014, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Gion-Shijo / Kyoto-Kawaramachi

Tel: +81 (0)75 365-5559

Website: https://wagurisenmon-saori.com/

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 5:30pm daily