Japanese food brands launch seasonal desserts for late summer

Japanese food service providers and confectioneries are introducing new seasonal desserts to combat late summer heat.

Family restaurant chains are elevating their shaved ice offerings. Cocos is featuring a ‘Dubai Chocolate’ shaved ice made with high-transparency ice, pistachio syrup, and toppings including kadaiyif and nuts. Other notable seasonal items include Jonathan's strawberry milk shortcake ice, Gust's matcha kuromitsu shaved ice, and Denny's peach fruit parfait.

In the confectionery sector, Imuraya is renewing its long-selling ‘Taiyaki Ice’ series to mark its 40th anniversary, increasing the amount of red bean paste and chocolate coating. Additionally, the company is launching a seasonal ‘Yawamochi Ice Hojicha Warabi,’ a three-layer dessert featuring Uji hojicha ice cream, hojicha bean paste, and brown sugar warabi mochi.