Delicate and Inexpensive Japanese Cakes at Koka, Dongdaqiao

Who would say no to a creamy dessert in a smoggy (read: depressing) late winter? The warm glow from Koka in the basement of Shangdu Soho is like a beacon, tempting you with their Japanese sweets and pastries.

Koka stocks 10 different delicate Japanese-style cakes (priced between RMB 28-58), including double cheesecake, sora (chocolate), mori (raspberry), as well as various tofu varieties (RMB 25) and Swiss rolls (RMB 25-28). The shop's bestselling sora chocolate mousse does not disappoint, its shiny outer layer accented and glittering with tiny pieces of gold foil. The cake boasts a deep, sweet flavor thanks to 70 percent imported French chocolate, sweetened chocolate sauce covering, and raspberry filling.

Meanwhile, the slices of double cheesecake (RMB 28) are a little smaller, and come covered with white chocolate flakes. The cake's pronounced cheese flavor is balanced by a healthy mix of whipped cream and sponge. The matcha rolls (RMB 28) offer a not-so-sweet choice and a similar combination of matcha, sponge, and cream.

To wash down the sweets, you's be advised to order a tea, of which Koka has Earl Grey, red (RMB 18-25 per person), or hot Japanese rice tea (RMB 20).

The shop is large, bright, and suitably relaxing. During our visit on a workday afternoon, there were two tables enjoying desserts and tea. Everything here can be taken away, and one of the shop's neat tricks is that the cakes are stuck down in the box so that no matter how quickly you're running to find a secluded place to gorge, they won't get crushed. That's exactly what we're likely to be doing from now on, transporting them back to our office around the corner.

Koka Patisserie
Daily 10am-9.30pm. B1-22 West Tower, Shangdu Soho, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5869 1776)
幸菓：朝阳区东大桥路8号尚都SOHO西塔地下一层B1-22

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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Tracy Wang