Okay, I lie through my teeth when I said we’d be leaving Takeo (武雄) immediately for Daitō (大塔) (more on that later). The truth is, we had a rather important mission to complete on this quiet Christmas morning.
Our so-called mission? A stop at Monange Sweets Takeo (モンナンジュスイーツ武雄店), just a quick 10-minute drive from OND Hotel.
Even though I had the shop pinned on Google Maps, I didn’t realize it was located right off the highway.
But once we arrived, we were greeted by a beautifully decorated pâtisserie specializing in one thing and one thing only — Basque cheesecakes in a variety of innovative flavors.
Time to make our pick.
Some of the cheesecakes were infused with tea. There was one featuring matcha and chestnut chunks nestled in the center that looked rather appealing. But I thought you can’t go wrong with the bestseller, right?
Basque cheesecake original (620 yen) — The shop’s signature and best-selling item. Light, airy, and not overly cheesy just the way many prefer it. Personally, I still like the one from The Café at One Fukuoka Hotel more for its glorious runny centre, but this was still a decent choice.
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Black sesame Basque cheesecake (580 yen) — The menu promised a “rich black sesame flavor” and they certainly delivered. Deep, nutty, and aromatic, this was a bold twist. Still, when it comes to Basque cheesecakes, I’m a bit of a purist at heart.
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With our sweet tooth satisfied, it was finally time to make our way toward Daitō, a small town just 10–15 minutes from Huis Ten Bosch (豪斯登堡). Since dining options near the famed Dutch-themed park are limited unless you’re actually inside, I decided to explore Daitō’s offerings before checking into our hotel.
Our lunch spot? MK Restaurant Sasebo (佐世堡大塔店), a name that might ring a bell for travelers familiar with Thailand. MK is a well-known family restaurant chain I’ve encountered many times during my travel to Bangkok, though I never eaten there myself.
Well, two decades later, I finally crossed it off the list — right here in Japan. Funny how things come full circle sometimes.
Food Rating: 5.5/10
Price: ￥￥￥
Address: 9793 Higashikawanoboricho Oaza Hakamano, Takeo, Saga, 843-0234, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)954-27-7600
Opening Hours: 11:00am - 6:00pm (Wed - Mon)
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