Writer and OC Blog contributor Mia Kim's latest adventure takes her to Kyoto, where she indulged in Japanese treats.
Soirée is one part fairy tale, one part an episode of Twin Peaks, and 100% very Japanese. Basically my dream come true. Tucked away on a narrow cherry blossom-lined street in downtown Kyoto, the kissaten (tearoom) has been serving the curious and loyal since 1948. Soirée's distinct brand of charm begins with its impeccably curated display window: a porcelain Lladro figure stands among some of the finest bone China and plastic food that Japan has to offer. Dark wood carvings of grapes and framed Seiji Togo girls decorate the walls. A seat by the window means a view of pink petals floating in the Takase River.
The menu cover reads aptly, Soyez la bienvenue (You are welcome). Everything is written in Japanese but there are some amazing photos that help, plus the waitstaff can roughly translate their delectable options into English. Soft drinks, called fizz, come in flavors like melon, strawberry, and violet. There's banana juice, ice cream, and even whiskey coffee, but the obvious choice is the famous jelly punch. What they call "punch" is actually soda topped with fruity, gem-like jelly cubes, kiwi, lemon, and a bright pink cherry. Before I knew it, I had found my favorite new Kyoto destination. Even as I browsed a stationery store later in the afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about Soirée. Despite having only one day left in Kyoto and an overly ambitious itinerary filled with bookstores and temples, I demanded that my friends and I go for seconds! Our waitress, donning braids and blunt bangs, was amused when we told her this was round number two.
Ar her suggestion, we ordered the café au lait jelly, which is filled with milk, coffee, and coffee-flavored jelly and proved satisfying even for a non-coffee drinker like me. The trifecta of coffee, chocolate marble, and cherry blossom ice cream that we also tried (another of our waitress' picks) was dressed with wavy whipped cream dollops, mandarin orange wedges, and of course a cherry on top. We finished all three scoops before they even have a chance to melt. I took a million more photos and purchase some souvenir tumblers before saying goodbye.
Should you ever plan a trip to Kyoto, make sure to include Soirée on the to-do list and set aside enough time for at least two visits. You are welcome.
SOIRÉE
95 5 Shin-cho, Nishi-kiyamachi
Dori,
Shijo-agaru,
Shimogyo-ku,
Kyoto![]()
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Jelly punch
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Trifects: coffee, chocolate marble, and cherry blossom ice cream
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The café au lait jelly
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Soirée is one part fairy tale, one part an episode of Twin Peaks, and 100% very Japanese. Basically my dream come true. Tucked away on a narrow cherry blossom-lined street in downtown Kyoto, the kissaten (tearoom) has been serving the curious and loyal since 1948. Soirée's distinct brand of charm begins with its impeccably curated display window: a porcelain Lladro figure stands among some of the finest bone China and plastic food that Japan has to offer. Dark wood carvings of grapes and framed Seiji Togo girls decorate the walls. A seat by the window means a view of pink petals floating in the Takase River.
The menu cover reads aptly, Soyez la bienvenue (You are welcome). Everything is written in Japanese but there are some amazing photos that help, plus the waitstaff can roughly translate their delectable options into English. Soft drinks, called fizz, come in flavors like melon, strawberry, and violet. There's banana juice, ice cream, and even whiskey coffee, but the obvious choice is the famous jelly punch. What they call "punch" is actually soda topped with fruity, gem-like jelly cubes, kiwi, lemon, and a bright pink cherry. Before I knew it, I had found my favorite new Kyoto destination. Even as I browsed a stationery store later in the afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about Soirée. Despite having only one day left in Kyoto and an overly ambitious itinerary filled with bookstores and temples, I demanded that my friends and I go for seconds! Our waitress, donning braids and blunt bangs, was amused when we told her this was round number two.
Ar her suggestion, we ordered the café au lait jelly, which is filled with milk, coffee, and coffee-flavored jelly and proved satisfying even for a non-coffee drinker like me. The trifecta of coffee, chocolate marble, and cherry blossom ice cream that we also tried (another of our waitress' picks) was dressed with wavy whipped cream dollops, mandarin orange wedges, and of course a cherry on top. We finished all three scoops before they even have a chance to melt. I took a million more photos and purchase some souvenir tumblers before saying goodbye.
Should you ever plan a trip to Kyoto, make sure to include Soirée on the to-do list and set aside enough time for at least two visits. You are welcome.
SOIRÉE
95 5 Shin-cho, Nishi-kiyamachi
Dori,
Shijo-agaru,
Shimogyo-ku,
Kyoto
Jelly punch
Trifects: coffee, chocolate marble, and cherry blossom ice cream
The café au lait jelly
