[Interview report] Make the firm and smooth groups happy! Love at first sight with the pudding of “in love with pudding”

Are you a solid pudding sect reminiscent of an old-fashioned pure coffee shop? Or is it a creamy, mellow, smooth pudding sect ?

Not to mention "Takenoko no Sato or Kinoko no Yama" and "Granulated or Koshian", but the "hardening or smoothness" of pudding is also a food theme that many people are particular about.

In the pudding market, which has been dominated by smooth-type cars for a long time, the firm-type cars have recently been reinstated. The people of the solidified pudding group are booming, but this time we will report on a take-out pudding specialty store full of spirit, "I want to satisfy both the solidified group and the smooth group! " In love with pudding . "

We also have an interview with the person in charge about the appeal of the product, so please have a look!

Appeared in Esola Ikebukuro! Introducing the store and product lineup of "In love with pudding"

Esola Ikebukuro B1F entrance. There is a store behind the escalator in the center.

Takeout pudding specialty store "In love with pudding" opened in April 2021. The store is located on the first basement floor of Esola Ikebukuro, a commercial facility directly connected to Ikebukuro Station, just outside the west ticket gate of the South Passage on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, or about a minute's walk to the right after exiting the south ticket gate of the JR Line.

The front of the store. The font of "In love with pudding" is cute!

Fresh puddings made in the workshop at the back of the counter are lined up.

The small shop has a nostalgic atmosphere as a whole. Even now, one month after the opening, it is still popular enough to form a line of dozens of people depending on the time of day, and customers were constantly visiting the counter during the interview.

The upper row is the "Retro Pudding" series, and the lower row is the "Smooth Pudding" series.

"In love with pudding" is a lineup of products based on the concept of "delicious pudding in love".

As I mentioned at the beginning, the major feature of the product lineup of "In love with pudding" is the development of pudding that is pleasing to the smooth group while using the solid pudding that is offered at a retro pure coffee shop as a signboard product. Being focused.

The names are also easy to understand in the "Retro Pudding" series and the "Smooth Pudding" series.

"Retro pudding" series (each with chasing caramel)

The "Retro Pudding" series is sold in different volumes, from the left of the photo

120g normal size (350 yen including tax)
240g large size (500 yen including tax)
600g oversized size (1,000 yen including tax)

Available in 3 sizes. The "extra-large", which is five times the normal size, has a slightly challenging silhouette, but it is a product full of dreams that children will be very pleased with.

5 types of "Smooth Pudding" series (provided image)

There are 5 types of "Smooth Pudding" series, from the left

"Smooth pudding" (with caramel)
"Chocolate pudding"
"Melon soda pudding"
"Strawberry pudding"
"Coffee pudding" (with fresh cream)
(All 120g / 500 yen including tax)

is. All the puddings are so cute that you won't be able to give them as gifts to anyone!

The reserved product "Pudding Cake" (with caramel and whipped cream / 2,200 yen including tax) and the luxurious "Decoration Pudding Cake" (3,000 yen including tax) with seasonal fruits on it are also available. Both are based on "retro pudding".

As mentioned above, 10 kinds of puddings were sold regularly.

Dig deeper into the charm of "in love with pudding" pudding! Interview with the person in charge

We asked Mr. Imai, who is in charge of sales at D & N Confectionery Co., Ltd., the operating company of "In love with pudding," about the appeal of the product.

――Why did you have two types of lineup, the "Retro Pudding" series and the "Smooth Pudding" series?

Mr. Imai : Many people who like pudding are often divided into solid and smooth groups.

The main part of our shop is that solid retro pudding that is offered at coffee shops, but we also want smooth people to taste delicious pudding made from carefully selected ingredients, and there are also those with a thick texture. Incorporated into the lineup.

It has been very well received by customers as it increases the enjoyment of choosing.

――So, are both series made of the same material?

Mr. Imai : Yes. Basically, the materials are the same, and the hardness differs depending on the ratio of the materials.
Branded eggs from Tochigi with strong sweetness, rich "Jersey milk" from Biei, Hokkaido, and fresh cream from Hokkaido with rich flavor and lightness. We use only the ingredients that are thoroughly focused on deliciousness.

――Please tell us the charm of each of "retro pudding" and "smooth pudding".

Mr. Imai : The firm "retro pudding" has the richness and scent of rich eggs and milk that makes you addicted once you eat it. The pudding has a lovely fluffy appearance and is fun to take home.

"Smooth pudding" that uses plenty of egg yolk and fresh cream is attractive as if you are eating cream. In order to enjoy the fun of choosing pudding, we have prepared flavors based on the concept of colorful colors and coffee shop menus.

Among the flavors, "Melon Soda Pudding" is proud to have a particularly high degree of perfection. Two layers of melon jelly and pudding with melon juice. Cherry is added to the topping to make it gorgeous, and it seems that it is popular on SNS etc. because of its fun appearance.

――Please tell me if there is a way to eat that Mr. Imai recommends.

Mr. Imai : My favorite way to eat is to combine "Retro Pudding Dai" with whipped cream that can be purchased additionally.

If you put plenty of whipped cream on the "retro pudding" and sprinkle the attached chasing caramel, the rich taste of the egg and the firm milky taste of the cream will be enhanced by the bittersweetness of the caramel. It will be.

-Can you buy whipped cream? I did not notice.

Looking at the price list, there was a small topping column at the bottom right (click to enlarge)

Imai : That's right. Although I don't advertise much, in addition to "whipped cream" (60g / 120 yen including tax), we also sell "caramel" (40g / 60 yen including tax) for those who are not satisfied with the included caramel alone. Please use it.

Also, there is information that you should know about "Retro Pudding", which is that the taste is different between the top and bottom of the pudding. The difference is created because the milk component is biased toward the top (* it is turned upside down at the time of sale, so it is at the bottom) in the process of baking pudding, and the difference is most obvious when eating the tall "Retro Pudding Large". Kato.

It's a personal impression, but it's almost as if you're eating two types of pudding, so please compare them if you like!

"In love with pudding" Eat the top 3 most popular puddings!

Then, I will report on the actual meals of "retro pudding," "smooth pudding," and "melon soda pudding," which were told to be the top three most popular.

"Retro pudding" is a large size choice. Although it is hardened, it is in a die-cut state, so it may be better to be a little careful when carrying it.

I bought additional whipped cream according to Mr. Imai's recommendation. The chasing caramel in the lower right is the one that came with it for free.

The caramel dripping is irresistible … Caramel has a strong bitterness, so it is ◎ if you apply it while checking the taste little by little. If you tend to sprinkle all the included seasonings for the time being, be careful!

I moved the "retro pudding" to a plate, but I had the impression that it wouldn't collapse unexpectedly if I was careful about how strong it was, so if you want to serve it in a fashionable way, such as by making a tea ceremony, please refer to it.

When I tried it, I was impressed by the firmness when I scooped it with a spoon and the exquisite hardness that made me want to laugh when I put it on my tongue. It makes me feel nostalgia with all my strength.

There is no miscellaneous taste, and the egg flavor and rich milky taste that you can feel through your nose are simple and highly complete, and you are very satisfied. Of course, if you add caramel, it will be bitter, but the fact that the pudding itself is not too sweet is likely to be supported by a wide range of customers.

As Mr. Imai said, it is a nice entertainment element that the creaminess is different between the upper part and the lower part. What was even more surprising was the potential of whipped cream. If you combine it with pudding, the feeling of happiness will be doubled, but the taste is heavy, and the taste is so good that even a single product is crisp. I highly recommend purchasing whipped cream.

"Retro pudding" on the left and "Smooth pudding" on the right

Continue to eat "smooth pudding". It would be nice if you could convey it in the photo, but the color and the appearance of the fabric were clearly different from the "retro pudding", and this was a softness that seemed to barely keep the individual. This feeling of tortoise is healed …

Compared to "Retro Pudding", the taste has a strong presence of fresh cream, and the sweetness is directly transmitted.

"Melon soda pudding" has a refreshing light green color.

"Melon soda pudding" uses melon juice for the jelly part, and in a sense, it has a more authentic (?) Taste than real melon soda. The author enjoyed it, but I also felt the melon-like flavor peculiar to melon, so it may be worrisome for some people.

It's nice that the bubbles are produced like carbonic acid! The smooth pudding and the slightly hardened jelly mix well while retaining their respective strengths, and have transformed into a new sensation sweet, so I personally recommend eating the pudding and jelly together.

Check the sales situation you care about!

――It is said that there will be a line depending on the time zone, but is there a time zone where you can purchase without waiting? Also, please let me know if you have any sold-out information.

Mr. Imai : It varies from day to day, but I get the impression that the number of customers will be relatively small after 15:00 on weekdays. At present, most of the "Retro Pudding" series are sold out from 13:00 to 16:00 in order from the largest one, so please be careful.

――Finally, please give a few words to the readers.

Mr. Imai : I feel that pudding is not something you buy on a special day, but a sweet that is loved on a daily basis, and that it continues to be loved by men and women of all ages.

The recent pudding boom is amazing. Looking at SNS, I realize that the number of people who enjoy pudding at cafes and coffee shops is increasing, but now the world is confused about going out. By all means, I would be happy if you could enjoy eating delicious pudding "in love with pudding" at home time and feel a little sick.

"In love with pudding," which is said to have been developed by pudding lovers while striking their commitment. Mr. Imai is also one of those who loves pudding, and I was able to feel the passion for pudding from the end of the story.

It's definitely delicious that you will fall in love at first sight (a bite?) The moment you eat it. Please try the pudding for pudding lovers by pudding lovers who can enjoy both the firm and smooth lovers ♪

A full-scale display was displayed next to the store, so please check the size.

※please note※
"In love with pudding" is open for the time being, from the perspective of preventing the spread of the new coronavirus infection, based on the state of emergency issued by the government and the request from the governor of Tokyo. And that. Please check the official brand website https://i-love-pudding.com for the latest information.

Overview of take-out pudding specialty store "In love with pudding"

address	1-12-1, Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Esola Ikebukuro B 1st floor
business hours	11: 00-20: 00 * Business hours are being shortened
telephone number	03-3590-6051
Official site	https://i-love-pudding.com/