Mausi
Satisfy that sweet-tooth of
yours in a refined and sophisticated way
On the east side of Daitoku-ji and as you walk
from Kitayama-dori to Kidadaijori and down the hill to Omiyadori,
in Kyoto, you will find a quaint little arcade called Shin Omiya
Shoutengai. This little band of shops have been around for about
60 years and has all the traditional stores that there should be
in a little Japanese arcade.
In the fall of 2003, a little pastry shop called
Konditorei Mausi opened on the northern side of this little arcade.
The owner chef Yumiko Miyoshi studied in Vienna’s Heiner and
Oberlaa and decided to come to Kyoto after ten years of operating
a successful Vienna pastry school in Kobe, Takarazuka and Ashiya.
Founded in 1840, Heiner's confectionary store is long established.
Miyoshi studied both the old and new style of
Vienna confectionery which makes her shop unique and her pastries
even more yummy. Various tastes, form, and process are seen by the
influence of the large territory over which the Hapsburg house which
reigned over Vienna confectionery for hundreds of years.
Viennese pastries are not as glamorous and gorgeous
as French pastries but the way they combine delicate taste with
beautiful designs they put Vienniese confectionaries a class on
their own. Characterized by their lightness and simplicity, Viennese
pastries are known to be among the best in the world. From the famous
Tortes and Kuchen to the more unfamiliar Scnitten and Germspeisen,
this class of pastry is defined by the great breadth of delicate
and delicious doughs and batters.
In the show window of Mausi, you can see Sachertorte,
Kardinal-schnitten, the famous chocolate and griott cherry Schwalzbalder
Kirschtorte, the yummy Wiener Madltorte made out of white chocolate
and vanilla cream (and it actually means Vienna’s young lady).
Since the cream uses only 35% milk fat, it is neither too sweet
or too heavy.
There is also the Malakofftorte, which are layers
of cream and biscuits that do not use butter and also the Soufflee
Roulade, which is a delicious peach rolled cake. And don’t
forget the Topfenoberfs Torte which is a cream cheesecake with pears.
Something you don’t get to see in Japan too very often is the
baked confectionery. Brosel (clam sponge cake) which is covered
and baked with Rehruckent, the Linzer Torte made of sweet strawberries
and walnuts are something of a rarity here in the Kansai area. Everyday,
she will prepare over ten different kinds of pastries to satisfy
every-one’s sweet-tooth.
The interior of the store is of course done in
Hapsburg yellow and it features an open kitchen where the customers
can actually get the first whiff of the cakes and tortes coming
out of the oven.
"Mausi" means sweetheart in German and
the hope of this little shop is for it to be everyone’s sweetheart.
Although there is no cafe in the store, it is still possible to
satisfy your tastebuds right there. Just tell staff that you want
to eat it in-store. They will be more than happy to oblige. The
store is planning to offer some baking classes so check up with
them for details.
There are lots of cute and interesting stores
lined up near Mausi and it's a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Try Daitokuji-onsen (075-491-6770, open 2pm-1am, closed Fridays)
to have a quick soak.
Konditorei Mausi
Nishi Takanawa-cho 82-1, Shichiku,
Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi
Access: Subway Kitaoji stn. 10min. walk to the west / City bus "Higashi
takanawa
-cho" 5min. walk to the west
Open: 10:00-19:30, Monday closed
Tel/fax: 075-495-7470
Text : Maki Nibayashi • Photos: Mausi
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