With businesses returning to offices at least part of the week, I took the opportunity to take away some desserts inspired by Japanese flavours from IIKO Mazesoba.
This is the Black Sesame Tiramisu ($15.00). It’s about 15 x 10 x 5 cm with layers of roasted black sesame mascarpone cream, espresso-soaked sponge fingers and black sesame crumble topping.
The grey-coloured marscapone flecked with black sesame gave the appearance of a bright flavour, but the mascarpone base overwhelmed. Rather the chief carrier of the black sesame flavour was the black sesame crumble topping, which was caramelised, nutty and crunchy — we couldn’t get enough of it. The sponge fingers provided a cake-like softness but we didn’t taste any espresso and would’ve preferred a richer flavour perhaps with a hint of booze.
This is the Houjicha Basque Cheesecake ($15.00). The first bite of the cake delivered a bold cream cheese flavour that almost overwhelmed all traces of the houjicha. Thankfully, subsequent bites saw the prominent flavour of the cream cheese receding into the background, allowing the houjicha to build in prominence, delivering a rich, roasted green tea with its signature hint of sweetness and minimal bitterness. It complemented the toasted crust of the cheesecake, although the sides of the cheesecake were a bit dry.
The desserts at IIKO Mazesoba successfully capture these quintessential Japanese flavours. We would be happy to return to try their main offering: mazesoba.
IIKO Mazesoba is located at Darling Square, 86 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000.