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Koenji Cafe [pams]: Rich and Moist Basque Cheesecake—Simple Yet Thoughtfully Crafted

Koenji is home to a rich variety of unique cafes, ranging from underground, bohemian spots and nostalgic vintage kissatens to modern cafes with trendy minimalist interiors. Today, I’m introducing the cheesecake I enjoyed at “pams,” a cafe with a warm, natural, and soothing atmosphere located along the shopping street near the North Exit.

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About pams

pams is located along a shopping street about a 5-minute walk from Koenji Station’s North Exit. Opened in April 2024, the cafe’s charming interior features a natural aesthetic filled with the warmth of wood. In particular, the large glass window at the entrance lets in gentle natural light, creating a comfortable, relaxing space where you can take your time and unwind.

The interior is compact, with around five tables. The drink menu includes espresso-based beverages, teas, caffeine-free selections, and even alcoholic drinks. For sweets, they offer items like pudding, carrot cake, and Basque cheesecake. Additionally, lunch options like curry are available, making it a great destination for anything from a satisfying midday meal to a relaxing afternoon coffee break.

Basque Cheesecake (600 yen)

For this visit, I ordered their classic Basque cheesecake alongside a hot cafe latte.

They also seem to offer seasonal flavor variations from time to time, with pumpkin and peach appearing in the past.

The Basque cheesecake I tried today is a quintessential, classic cafe-style creation, featuring a beautifully caramelized, scorched surface and a lush, melt-in-your-mouth center visible from the cross-section.

Taking a bite, the interior is wonderfully creamy, dissolving effortlessly across the tongue. True to its appearance, the texture is absolute perfection. Flavor-wise, it is built on a rich cream cheese foundation, complemented by the dairy richness of other ingredients and a caramel-like roasted aroma. It balances deep richness with a soothing, gentle quality. A simple yet thoughtfully crafted treat that clearly reflects the baker’s care.

Shop Information

You can find more cheesecake spots around Koenji featured on the following page:

あわせて読みたい
The Complete Guide to Cheesecake in Koenji, Tokyo Here is a summary of shops offering cheesecake around Koenji Station. We have compiled various types of establishments, including sit-down cafes and takeout-...

■ This article is a translation of a post originally written in Japanese (Original Article).

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