POPOCATE

At POPOCATE, choosing a pudding starts with deciding on the texture. Classic is baked until firmly set, with a generous layer of bittersweet caramel sauce underneath. One customer who took it home described it as an old-fashioned pudding with restrained sweetness and a memorable caramel bitterness. It is a good choice if you enjoy the contrast between the pudding and its caramel more than sweetness alone.

Popo Kata is also firm, but its steamed texture is smooth; the caramel comes separately. Try the pudding on its own first, then add as much caramel as you like. For a softer mouthfeel, there is Popo Yawa, described on the menu as silky and softly sweet. Choosing a different jar for each style gives fans of both firm and smooth puddings something to enjoy.

Basque cheesecake is another option. The menu describes a fragrant, browned surface and a moist, rich centre, while one customer who took it home called it “rich but not cloying”. In one account of a visit, French toast and pudding were enjoyed together, with maple syrup on the toast and ice cream alongside. It is a tempting way to make a dessert of both warm and cool textures, rather than putting pudding centre stage on its own.

POPOCATE in Kitashinagawa offers pudding to take away. One customer also reported that gift boxes were available, making it a place to keep in mind when looking for something to bring as a present.