It just keeps getting better.
LeTAO Cheesecake
LeTAO Cheesecake is a famous bakery that first opened its doors in June 1998 in the city of Hokkaido. It now has over 15 stores spread across the northern city most famous for its deluxe cheeses, harsh winters and onsens (hot springs). LeTAO also has a few international locations including Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, Thailand, and is set to open their first branch in Manila very soon!
Its flagship store is based inside a beautiful building that stands tall over the nostalgic antique town of Otaru. According to LeTAO’s website, LeTAO’s founder Kawagoe “strongly felt the desire to build an unconventional culture of Western confectionary in a city where just a stroll down the street fascinates.”
Fun fact: The store name "LeTAO" is based on the first letters of the French word "La Tour Amitie Otaru" meaning "The Amiable Tower of Otaru."
Today, locals and tourists flock the iconic building daily to get their fix of Hokkaido’s popular cheesecake so it’s safe to say that LeTAO should be on everyone’s travel bucket list in Japan.
LeTAO’s most popular product is their Double Fromage Cheesecake. The upper layer is topped with a smooth no-bake cheesecake while the lower layer is rich, tasty baked cheesecake.
The cheesecake’s texture is often compared to the snow melting in your mouth with just the right amount of sweetness. LeTAO uses only the finest mascarpone cheese that gives it that creamy factor.
Fun fact: LeTao developed a specific freezing method that no allows them to deliver fresh cheesecakes all over Japan.
Another bestseller is their Royal Montagne–a delicate mix of cacao and the essence of Darjeeling tea.
Here are a few snaps of some of their products. Take note that availability varies per store/region.
Chocolat Double
The combination of the two classic cakes for every sweet tooth, cheese and chocolate, is the two-layered Chocolat Double.
Soft serve
Bin de Fromage
Made from the same cheeses of the Double Fromage, only in liquid form.
Premier Maalu
This is made with crushed thin crepe called feuillantine.
Niagara Chocolat Blanc Frais
Handmade white chocolate ganache blended with sweet-flavored Niagara wine.
Ironai
Langue de chat cheese cookies made from the same cheese of the double fromage. The name is inspired from the Rue Ironai, the old center of the Otaru economy.
Parfait D’or Fromage
Mature camembert cheese from Hokkaido, fresh sour cream cheese from Hokkaido, and the soft, sweet flavor of Italian mascarpone. Niagara grape juice from Yoichi is included to add flavor.
Venezia Rendezvous
Mascarpone from the Lombardy region of northern Italy is added to LeTao’s original fresh cream made in Hokkaido, flavored with natural vanilla beans from Madagascar.
Biscuit au Fromage
Crisp cheese biscuits made from carefully selected ingredients to create cookies with a very rich cheese taste and aroma.
Crème Renversée
Custard pudding made from milk and eggs.
Hokkaido Bread
Yeast bread made with LeTAO’s fresh cream.
Aside from the products posted on their website, we also spotted a few unique menu items like hte Melon Double Cheesecake, Fresh Pancakes with Fruits and Ice Cream, and a few flavored lattes.
Just look at their selection of pastries!
UPDATE:
LeTAO has officially opened TWO pop up stores in Greenbelt 5 and Uptown Mall BGC! Limited stocks only so hurry and get a taste of Hokkaido right here in Manila! For reservations contact Joanne at +63 916 568 3362.
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Photos from LeTAO’s website.