Kitten&Donuts [Mimi's World Tour]

Bakery: Kitten&Donuts
Address: Shioyachō (Kawaramachidōri) 333, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto
Website: facebook
Style: Doughnuts
Price: $$ 

Amid my inexplicable quest to get in as many Japanese doughnut shops as possible, my first stop for "gourmet" doughnuts was this cute shop/cafe on one of Kyoto's main shopping streets and while their name may be a little nonsensical, they certainly know what they're doing with their counter of moist, fluffy doughnuts in a variety of rotating and seasonal flavours; the difference between these flavours is in the soft, thick glaze. All also happen to be prettily decorated: some are topped by little white chocolate balls, others with sprinkles, while others use different flavours and colours of icing. In the end, you get a lovely doughnut. ^^ The prices may be a little steep for a doughnut -- but it is standard for a gourmet shop.

What was particularly appreciated by me was the fact that they had so much variety and that variety included so many fruit-based flavours. I never like going and everything is just a chocolate off-shoot. It being strawberry season then, there were -- I believe -- three types with strawberry, including strawberry-raspberry, which looked very good. Suffice to say, it was a difficult decision.

In the end, I couldn't resist the matcha/green tea doughnut (300 yen). I realize it was maybe an uninspired choice, but the dark green glaze with matcha cake crumbs and white chocolate balls... how can you beat that? The dough was so soft, super fresh and slightly chewy: the perfect yeast doughnut consistency. And that glaze! Really, after all this touring, no one outside of Japan will ever come close to the level and quality of matcha baked goods I had here. The rich flavour of matcha was in every bite. This could almost be called a koicha (thick matcha) doughnut, it had so much concentrated green tea flavour. I might even want to say the white chocolate balls detracted slightly from that experience, but that's just nitpicking.

Adorable doughnut shop with delicious doughnuts. What a find!

Rating: ***1/2