Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Tenmonkan Mujaki 天文館むじゃき

Visited 24.03.2014

Top left: Tenmokan, busiest district in Kagoshima city; Right: An adorable white bear welcoming you to Mujaki.

After dinner, we made our way this dessert shop which is easily recognized by a huge white bear figurine placed in front of the shop, located along Tenmokan dori. Mujaki originated from Kagoshima an has been a household name for more than half a century. It started off selling a kind of shaved ice dessert. This popular local dessert is named "white bear ice" or Shirokuma (白熊) because the ball shaped shaved ice which is topped with raisins and cherry, looks like an expression of bear when viewed from the top.

The original white bear ice - Shirokuma. 

Japan version of ice kachang? Shop was quite empty on the day of visit; was expecting to see a reasonable crowd during meal time as this shop was quite heavily publicised in travelogues. The variety of shaved ice available here made us spoilt for choice. Ordered two different bowls of shaved ice to share - the top two best selling cold dessert in the shop: the original "white bear ice" and strawberry flavoured "white bear ice". Do note that the shaved ice comes in two sizes: the regular and the "baby (ベビー)" size. Had two regular sizes to share among four persons. Contrary to our ice kachang which has atap seeds, you will find agar, banana, orange and beans at the bottom of the bowl. After filling the bowl with fine, shaved ice, condensed milk and honey are drizzled over it, with final touches of fruit toppings such as orange, peach, banana, strawberry, etc to complete this dessert. The combination makes this a welcoming dessert to cool one down during the hot summer period here in Kyushu.

Strawberry Shirokuma

Looks better than it tastes. Could not resist the hearty bowl of snow like ice with colourful fruits when it was served. However, I didn't find this cold dessert exceptionally good taste wise. I prefer my shaved ice to be finer and melt at the moment I put into my mouth. Milk was fragrant and sweet but diluted by the melting ice overtime. If asked to choose between shaved ice and parfait for dessert, I will choose the latter as I feel that fruits go better with ice cream than shaved ice. If you are unable to make your way to the flagship store at Tenmokan, Mujaki has another branch located at AMU Plaza (Kagoshima Chuo JR Station).

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Tenmonkan Mujaki 天文館むじゃき
〒892-0843  鹿児島市千日町５－８ 天文館むじゃきビル
Opening hrs: 1100 - 2200 hrs
http://mujyaki.co.jp/

How to get there?
From Kagoshima Chuo Ekimae (鹿児島中央駅), take Kagoshima City Tram Route 2 heading for Kagoshima Ekimae (鹿児島駅) and alight at Tenmokan dori (天文館通). Approx 2 - 3 minutes walk away.

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Video: Scroll to 8:55 for 遇约九州's feature on Mujaki.