The pop-up counter of Ranka Shoubuan A9 Pavilion will be open temporarily until the end of August; the official store is planned to open in September.

▲ Golden Legend in matcha flavor.

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

Ranka Shoubuan, a well-known tearoom in Kyoto, has opened a pop-up counter on the first floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A9 Pavilion, offering items such as Golden Legend (original and matcha flavors), Illusory Moon (original and matcha flavors), sponge cake crisps, and Dié Dié (matcha flavor), without any beverages. The pop-up will be open only until August 31, functioning as a prelude to the official store. Negotiations are underway with Shin Kong Mitsukoshi regarding the site of the future permanent store, which will have a larger floor area. Additionally, a popular product, dorayaki, is currently en route by sea and is expected to be available around mid-June.


▲ Illusory Moon comes in both original and matcha flavors, priced at NT$70 each.

Ranka Shoubuan’s limited-time opening promotion includes one slice of Golden Legend (original), one slice of Golden Legend (matcha), two pieces of Illusory Moon, and two pieces of matcha-flavored Illusory Moon, packaged with a brand-branded cloth bag. The promotional price is NT$550 (original price NT$635), limited to 600 sets while supplies last. Other product prices are as follows: a full Golden Legend original flavor bar for NT$550, matcha flavor for NT$650; individual Golden Legend original flavor slices at NT$150 each, matcha at NT$160 each; six sponge cake crisps for NT$320; both original and matcha-flavored Illusory Moon at NT$70 each; and three Dié Dié for NT$100.

The uniquely shaped Illusory Moon features wavy senbei-style crackers filled with vanilla or matcha-flavored cream, blending Japanese and Western pancake styles; sponge cake crisps are lightly baked to achieve a crispy texture; and Dié Dié consists of sponge cake crisp layers mixed with chocolate to create a distinctive chocolate biscuit.


▲ Dié Dié.


▲ Sponge cake crisps.

Ranka Shoubuan has two stores in Japan: its main store in Kyoto’s Muromachi district and a branch in Tokyo’s Shibuya. It was founded by the fourth-generation owner of Nagasaki-ya, a century-old shop in Osaka’s Shinsaibashi district known for its castella cakes. The Muromachi main store was renovated from an old kimono fabric shop.

Address: 1F, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A9 Pavilion (1F, No. 19, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City)