Pastry Special Awards 2023Establishment

Pâtisserie Asako Iwayanagi

Asako Iwayanagi

Tokyo, Japan

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Pastry Discovery Gem Award

Sweet gem or bakeries, afternoon teas, or dessert restaurants for connoisseurs’ worth going the extra mile for

In a country famed for its appetite for beautiful pastry, cakes, and chocolate, Pâtisserie Asako Iwayanagi stands out for its elaborate parfait desserts, tall glasses of layered cakes, mousses, sorbet, and fruit that change with the seasons and resemble miniature terrariums. Parfait Bijou Raisin is built around a grape sorbet and feta gelato, with pine and shiso, grape, matcha, and lemon jellies, pistachio granola, chestnut mascarpone mousse, and vincotto sauce; each comes with a map. Iwayanagi previously worked in textiles and her eye for color and texture runs through her work, while the spacious store is a brutalist backdrop of gray concrete. There are also breads, gelato, crepes, and afternoon tea to pair with Japanese, tea, coffee, and sake.