At RAD BROS CAFE, located about a 6-minute walk from Koenji Station on the Chuo Line, I enjoyed a Mont Blanc Basque cheesecake generously topped with chestnut paste.
About RAD BROS CAFE
RAD BROS CAFE opened in 2021 in Koenji-kita, Suginami Ward. The café is not particularly large, with five tables (there is also terrace seating, which looks especially pleasant during the cooler seasons). The interior has the minimalist, industrial feel often associated with white-themed cafés, while the wooden tables add a touch of warmth, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Basque cheesecake is one of the café’s signature desserts. The classic menu features the plain version, while seasonal flavors are also released from time to time. There is also a menu item called “Freshly Squeezed Fermented Mont Blanc Basque Cheesecake,” which is a Basque cheesecake topped generously with chestnut paste. That was the one I decided to order this time.
Ordering the “Freshly Squeezed Fermented Mont Blanc Basque Cheesecake”
The “Freshly Squeezed Fermented Mont Blanc Basque Cheesecake” appears to be a regular menu item.
They let you watch as the chestnut paste is added to the cheesecake. The staff even kindly asked, “Would you like me to record a video for you?”
At ¥1,600, you might find it “a little expensive” for a café dessert. However, in addition to the unique experience of having the chestnut paste freshly squeezed in front of you, you can enjoy an almost extravagant amount of chestnut paste. It offers an appeal and experience that you simply cannot get from a takeout dessert.
Hidden beneath the chestnut paste are a square-cut piece of Basque cheesecake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
And wow, the chestnut paste is incredibly thick!
My Thoughts After Tasting It
As soon as you put it in your mouth, the chestnut paste has a soft, pleasantly crumbly texture, and its rich sweetness gently spreads throughout your mouth. The vanilla ice cream inside is refreshingly cold, allowing you to enjoy the contrast in temperature between it, the chilled paste, and the Basque cheesecake.
The Basque cheesecake hidden inside becomes somewhat less prominent alongside the chestnut and vanilla ice cream flavors, but it has a carefully crafted taste with a subtle sweetness and satisfying depth. It supports the flavors of the vanilla ice cream and chestnut, creating a delicious combination that you will find surprisingly addictive.
There is no sourness or bitterness, so the overall impression is rather mellow and subdued. To be honest, there were moments when I wished for some kind of accent. But this is not that kind of dessert—it is all about enjoying the flavors of chestnut and Basque cheesecake. And for that purpose, it succeeds 200 percent.
If you love both Basque cheesecake and Mont Blanc desserts, I think you will undoubtedly enjoy this one. It is a bit of a walk from Koenji Station, and there aren’t many seats, but if you can time your visit well, I definitely recommend giving it a try.
Additional Information
- Café: RAD BROS CAFE
- Access: About a 6-minute walk from Koenji Station
- Approximate prices: Freshly Squeezed Fermented Mont Blanc Basque Cheesecake ¥1,600; Café Latte ¥600; Basque Cheesecake ¥650
- Note: For the latest opening days and hours, it is recommended to check the café’s Instagram
- Useful links: Instagram｜Google Maps｜
