Kumori's Cookies Made with Meji Chocolate

2019 brought out the cookie monster in everyone. From palm-size to super fudgy, there are several kinds of cookies baked to meet every foodie's fancy. And just when I thought I couldn't love Kumori more, it joined the cookie craze and launched three cookies worth every penny (and calorie).

Hello, Kumori. 

Kumori has been known for its divine Hanjuku Cheese, premium pastries and delightful beverages. And it made the holiday season merrier when it released three great cookies topped with Meiji Chocolates!

New Favorite: Kumori's Premium Cheese Loaf

Kumori is my default store when it comes to Hanjuku Cheese, dinner rolls and krones. The brand definitely lives to its tagline "bite into clouds" with its soft and fluffy baked goods. And its Premium Cheese Loaf was just as heavenly. 

Hello, Kumori. 

I find fluffy bread irresistible and Kumori's Premium Cheese Loaf (PHP160) is a dream come true. Each bite was indeed soft and flavorful with its buttery taste and cheese bits. 

First Bite: Kumori's Earl Grey Hanjuku Cheese

I love it when Kumori launches new products or flavors to celebrate its new store openings. And last month, it launched Earl Grey Hanjuku Cheese in line with its Ayala Cloverleaf branch opening and its limited delivery service for the holiday season.

Hello, Kumori.

Thanks to the loving people behind Kumori, I was one of the first to try its newest Hanjuku flavor last month. I was very excited to it after hearing that it's based on one of my favorite drinks.

Love at First Bite: Kumori's Ube Hanjuku Cheese

I always look forward to a Kumori branch opening as it always mean that a new product will launched. I went crazy over the apple cheese tarts which was released during the opening of Kumori's Robinson's Manila. The lovely crunch of the apple bits, creamy cheese tart filling and cinnamon on top made this an addicting snack. And when Kumori launched its Ube Hanjuku Cheese in celebration of its SM Mall of Asia store, I promised myself that I will swing by and try it asap. But given that SM MOA is in a faraway land, it took me a long time before I managed to drop by.

Hello, Kumori!

Unfamiliar with SM Mall of Asia, I asked several guards its exact location. And I was pointed to different areas. One of the guards said that it's on the second floor while another said it's on the ground floor. One said to turn left while another told me to go straight. In short, I ended up circling the main mall for two hours. (And I ended up spending a few thousands at Forever 21.)

Love at First Bite: Kumori's Apple Cheese Tarts

Kumori and I didn’t have a smooth relationship. I still recall my first visit which was love at first bite. Those Hanjuku cheese cakes were delectable and definitely worth lining up for. My second visit was great too with the delectable (but messy) krones. But my third visit where I had the raved cheese tarts was not as great as my first and second Kumori visits. Its improved version and its scrumptious matcha variant won me over though and I was crazy about Kumori again. And just when I thought I’m already a fan of Kumori, something just made me even more head over heels in love with it.
 
Hello, Kumori.

I got a sweet message from Kumori asking if they could send me some of their newest (and limited edition) apple cheese tarts in celebration of the opening of its Robinsons Place Manila branch. Of course I said yes and I counted the days till I got my delectable package.

First Bite: Kumori Cheese Tarts

Kumori has been a favorite of the foodie community ever since it opened its first store in Manila. With its mouthwatering cheesecakes and other delectable baked goods, it’s not surprising that many went crazy and got hooked. I have to admit, I’m one of them. Though pricey for a small cheesecake, I’d find myself buying a few to satisfy my moist cheesecake cravings. And when a fellow foodie recommended Kumori’s cheese tarts, I just have to try it if it is at par with Hajuku Kobo. 

Hello again, Kumori!

After doing some errands, I went straight to the Kumori kiosk in Landmark’s food court and ordered three cheese tarts to go. For PHP60 per piece, I find it a bit steep for a small tart. But if it’s as good as they claim, then I’d definitely get my money’s worth. 

I decided to get three tarts that day and ate one as soon as I paid for it.

First Bite: Lava Cheese Tarts

The cheese tart craze has finally hit Manila with a bunch of bakeshops and new brands offering these delightful treats to the local market. Though most of the prominent players are international brands, we have a handful of home bakers who offer such at a more pocket friendly price. But for foodies who are impatient and want their goodies ASAP, pre-ordering and waiting for days before those cheese tarts arrive are just too much. For months, most of us were stuck with these international brands until a local player decided to join the craze.

Hello, Lava Cheese Tarts. 

I was so excited to try Lava’s version of cheese tarts especially after finding out that they use local cheeses for its tarts. I even went to Fork Spoon Manila’s Eatscape to Aura event after finding out that they were part of the food crawl. (And it happens to be on the day of my flight to the land of kimchi and free facial masks!) Unfortunately, they experienced some delays and had to move their opening date the week after but invited those who participated during the food crawl to attend its media launch on the 3rd of November at 1 p.m.. And I was still not around that time. *cries* But with yearning tummy comes intense desire and dedication. 

Kumori Favorite: Krone

I fell in love with Kumori’s soft buns ever since I got a bite of it. It was the best part of the milk shake I ordered as it somehow offset the sweetness of the hazelnut chocolate. Though I had the whole thing for myself, I felt that it was not enough. I wanted to buy a pack of three (PHP25) then but R stopped me as we have a lot of food to finish or else it’ll spoil. Hence, I stopped myself from buying and heard my heart break a bit. But it wasn’t that long till I get to buy some of that lovely soft buns. 

Hello, Kumori in Makati!

After enjoying my banhmi from Bon Banhmi, I roamed around for some dessert and figured that I’ll try Kumori’s Krone (PHP49 per roll) and buy a pack of soft buns for breakfast. 

Wait. What?

A krone is a hallow, flaky, Danish pastry tube that is freshly piped with a creamy egg custard filling and sprinkled with a snow sugar powder (confectionary sugar).

My krone was given to me as soon as I paid and I just could not resist licking the custard filling overflow. I quickly took a few shots and tasted the filling. 

It had a nice light and smooth taste. It was sweet but not overly sweet. Its smooth texture was well complemented by the crispiness and flakiness of the Danish pastry. Just think of it as crispy cream puff. Actually, that’s exactly what it was… a crispy cream puff.

It was good and one order was enough to satisfy my craving for dessert. 

See you again, Kumori!

Kumori is located at Basement, Landmark Food Court, Makati Avenue, Makati City. 

Love at First Bite: Kumori

I have been hearing about this Japanese cheesecake place for several months now. Aside from the delicately prepared cheesecakes, its milkshake also share the spotlight with its abundant photos on Instagram. It really made me curious but I do not want to brave the traffic even if Makati is quite near my place. But when R and I did our errands near SM North, I managed to convince the mall hater to drop by The Block and visit the cheesecake's branch there. It has been a long while since my last mall visit and honestly, I got dizzy. There were just too many people. And I can’t help wonder what these people do for a living for them to have time to shop around on a work day. After getting lost and making a few wrong turns, we finally reached Kumori.

Hello, Kumori!

The place was packed when we arrived. I didn’t really think of what to pick anymore. I just chose the one near the counter as it seemed to take the cashier a long time to finish one transaction. I got a Custard Butter Bun (PHP45), Hanjuku Cheese Original (PHP48), Hanjuku Cheese Chocolate (PHP48) and Cottage Cheese (PHP58). I also got Choco Hazelnut Milkshake (PHP175). 

When I placed my order for milkshake, the server/cashier told me that they ran out of mason jars and asked if it’s okay that they serve it on a take out cup. I insisted that I want it on a mason jar for blog purposes and she found a way to serve mine on a mason jar. I’m sure the person before me was pissed when she heard that as she also ordered milkshake and hesitated to say yes to the take out cup.

While waiting for our milkshake, we took a bite off some of our purchases. 

The Custard Butter Bun was delightfully chewy like mochi buns. I also love the faint taste of custard which made me appreciate the bun even more. 

As for the cheesecakes, I have to agree with the reviews on Hanjuku Cheese Original and Chocolate. These are amazing! It was soft, milky and undeniably packed. It is what I call quality pastries. I do not mind splurging on these small cheesecakes if quality is like this. I am in love. It was definitely love at first bite.