Tokyo: Seasonal Delights at Irie (いり江) in Monzen-Nakacho – Strawberry Anmitsu & Kakigori

Irie (いり江), a long-established kanmidokoro (Japanese confectionery café), was founded in 1970 in Monzen-Nakacho. Known for their delicious anmitsu, I visit often. However, I had never heard of their strawberry anmitsu until recently—perhaps because I rarely visit during winter.

Irie is conveniently located on the street connecting Monzen-Nakacho Station to Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

When you step inside, you’ll find a refrigerator with TO GO items on the left. If you’d like to dine in, simply say “For here,” and the staff will guide you to the café seating area.

During winter, Irie offers a seasonal menu featuring warm sesame kishimen and strawberry anmitsu. You can choose between black or white syrup for your anmitsu—this applies to the strawberry version as well.

The winter-exclusive Strawberry anmitsu is a feast for the eyes and the palate. It’s generously topped with strawberries, covering half the surface, along with a cherry, smooth red bean paste (koshi-an), and gyuhi (a type of soft mochi). Its vibrant appearance alone made me happy.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist digging in. First, I tried it without syrup—the combination of sweet red bean paste and the strawberries’ subtle tartness was perfect. I realized I’d forgotten to add shiratama (glutinous rice balls), which I usually order. If you visit, I highly recommend adding shiratama to your anmitsu.

After enjoying it plain, I added the black syrup. The syrup was rich and flavorful yet pleasantly light, making it tempting to drink directly! The agar-agar jelly, made from seaweed sourced from Kozushima and Oshima islands, had a springy texture that paired beautifully with the syrup.

Irie’s syrup is so delightful that I ended up using all of it—every last drop was a treat.

In summer, Irie serves kakigori (shaved ice), marked by a kakigori flag outside the shop. On hot days, the café can feel warm inside due to the popularity of their kakigori. Once, I visited for anmitsu on a cooler summer day, but the shop was so warm that I ended up ordering kakigori instead!

Theirkakigori with apricot and ice cream is a refreshing standard summer offering. The shaved ice is topped with apricot syrup, syrupped apricots, and a scoop of ice cream—a perfect way to cool down on a hot day.