Born in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, “Henri Charpentier” is widely celebrated as one of Japan’s most iconic French-style confectionery brands. I purchased their signature “W Cheesecake” (Double Cheesecake), a long-standing staple the patisserie has offered for years.
About Henri Charpentier
“Henri Charpentier” was founded in April 1969 in Ashiya, Hyogo, originally opening as a salon de thé where guests could enjoy fine plated desserts. The inspiration for launching the shop came from the “Crêpe Suzette,” a dish that deeply moved founder Naokuni Arita during his training days in Western kitchens. The boutique takes its name from the legendary 19th-century French chef who is credited with inventing the Crêpe Suzette.
Today, the brand is operated by Suzette Co., Ltd., and has grown into a major confectionery enterprise boasting more than 90 boutiques across Japan and 10 locations overseas.
Its product lineup encompasses strawberry shortcakes, cream puffs, cheesecakes, Mont Blancs, financiers, and madeleines. While carrying the prestigious name of a historic French chef, the brand focuses on delivering both authentic French pastries and Western sweets that resonate warmly with Japanese palates.
Their shops are primarily concentrated in prime commercial centers and department store food halls (depachika), establishing Henri Charpentier as one of the definitive pillars of department store patisseries.
A Two-Layer Composition of Rare and Baked: “W Cheesecake”
The “W Cheesecake” featured today has been a beloved signature offering at Henri Charpentier for several years.
Measuring 12 cm in diameter, this whole cake retails for 1,782 yen (tax included) at physical storefronts. On their official online store, it is offered as a “W Cheesecake 12cm Birthday Set” complete with celebratory decorations for 2,592 yen. If you don’t require the party decorations and simply want to enjoy the cake itself, buying it in person at a boutique is the more economical choice.
While fresh refrigerated department store cakes often carry a same-day expiration, this cake keeps for about two days in the refrigerator. This gives you the flexibility to buy it in the evening and enjoy it the following day.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the cake. It comes packaged with a separate packet of “Honey Maple” syrup.
The surface is enrobed in a delicate coating of finely crushed sablé cookie crumbs.
A subtle dusting of edible gold leaf glimmers across the top. Combined with the golden-hued sablé crumbs, it boasts an exceptionally luxurious visual presentation.
Slicing into the cake reveals its distinct two-layer interior. The upper tier is a rare (unbaked) cheesecake blending mascarpone and heavy cream, while the lower tier is a baked cheesecake crafted with rich cream cheese.
At the very bottom, a crisp sablé crust serves as the foundation.
Differences from LeTAO’s Double Fromage
In terms of category, this is a two-layered hybrid cheesecake combining unbaked rare cheese and baked cheesecake—a style often referred to as “Double Fromage,” famously headlined by Hokkaido-based LeTAO’s flagship cake of the same name.
LeTAO’s Double Fromage also layers a mascarpone-based unbaked cheesecake over a baked cheese base. However, the surface finishes differ significantly: Henri Charpentier uses crushed sablé pastry, whereas LeTAO utilizes delicate sponge cake crumbs. Furthermore, Henri Charpentier anchors the cake with a sablé base at the bottom, while LeTAO features no bottom crust at all.
Tasting Impressions
Now, let’s explore how Henri Charpentier’s W Cheesecake actually tastes. For this tasting, I drizzled a generous helping of the accompanying “Honey Maple” syrup over the slice.
Taking a bite, the outer sablé coating doesn’t feel crisp; rather, it has absorbed moisture to become soft and velvety, virtually assimilating into the cheese filling beneath. Both the rare and baked cheese layers contain fine aerated bubbles. While the overall mouthfeel is luscious and moist, gently pressing a bite between the tongue and the palate reveals a light, delicate melt as the air bubbles release.
In LeTAO’s Double Fromage, the textural distinction between the two cheese layers is stark and pronounced; here, however, the contrast between the rare and baked layers feels much more seamless and integrated.
Flavor-wise, beyond the gentle milky sweetness delivered by the mascarpone and fresh cream, you can clearly perceive a deep, savory richness underpinned by the mild saltiness of the cream cheese. At first glance, you might wonder if the robust sweetness of the Honey Maple syrup would overpower the cake; surprisingly, its rich honey and maple notes elevate the cheese flavors rather than masking them. It is clearly a customized topping meticulously engineered specifically to enhance this cake.
Product Details
- Shop: Henri Charpentier
- Product Name: W Cheesecake (Includes Honey Maple Syrup)
- Storage: Refrigerated (when purchased in-store)
- Price: 1,782 yen (tax included, in-store price)
- Size: 12 cm diameter whole cake (Serves 4–6)
- Where to Buy: Physical boutiques (Birthday set also available on official online store)
- Official Website
