From coffee-flavored ice cream to drinkable tiramisus, these are my top five favorite coffee treats in Japan!
Coffee Coolish
Kicking off the list with an absolute classic – Coffee Coolish. This drinkable ice cream is a much-loved favorite in Japan and is sold for less than 200 yen at convenience stores and supermarkets. In particular, this flavor offers a rich and indulgent coffee taste that is strong, smooth, and creamy!
Nomu Tiramisu
Nomu Tiramisu literally translates to “drinkable tiramisu” and that’s just about all you need to know! In fact, I dedicated an entire article to this delicious phenomenon because of how unique and delicious it was. The toppings of this drink are the selling point in my opinion, featuring crunchy bits of chocolate cookie drizzled in coffee syrup and sprinkled coffee powder atop.
Coffee Jelly
A Japanese classic that you often find in cafes, restaurant dessert menus, and convenience stores is the phenomenon known as coffee jelly! The texture is like any other flavor of jelly, but the color is a dark brown, almost black and the taste is a bitter coffee taste. These delicacies are served with a shot of cream which adds a harmonious balance of sweet and bitter.
Black Thunder Tiramisu
Another one to add to the tiramisu list, this delicacy is brought to you by Black Thunder, one of the most popular brands of confectionery in Japan. Specializing in dark chocolate cookies, their items deliver a richer chocolate taste that, in my opinion, trumps the world-renowned Oreo itself! Black Thunder tiramisu is a seasonal item sold at FamilyMart that combines the delicious crunch of dark cookie pieces with the hit of coffee-flavored pudding.
Cafe Frappé
FamilyMart frappés are one of the beloved items of Japan’s convenience stores. Flavors are typically on rotation, but the “Cafe Frappé” which is essentially a coffee-flavored frappé is always available all year round. For about 300 yen, you can grab a cup from the fridge and make it yourself at the coffee machines provided.
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!