New in 2022 in Kawagoe: Kawagoe Baum Lab by Fueki Shoyu
I’ve been sharing – or rather trying to share – some of the dozens of new eateries that opened in Kawagoe during the pandemic. There’s just not enough hours in the day! Kawagoe Baum Lab actually opened in the summer, in July. I was in Ireland at the time so I didn’t get to visit it straightaway, which was probably just as well as it was very crowded at first. However, the initial crowd craze has died down and its a great time to check out one of Kawagoe’s new and trendy eateries.
Kawagoe Baum Lab
The Kawagoe Baum Lab is a take away only store offering, as you might have already guessed, baum kuchen! But its not wrapped baum kuchen, its an original dessert with ice-cream and toppings. Food ideal for tabe-aruki, walking while eating, that Kawagoe is famous for. But there are benches outside where you can sit and eat if you prefer. Baum Lab is an initiative by Fueki Soy Sauce, who have a long established branch of their store and a popular udon restaurant, in front of the new take-out cafe.
The introduction of something other than burgers, bread or snow cones in Kawagoe is a welcome change. Of all the new restaurants and cafes that opened in Kawagoe in the last two years, I think 90% of them offer one of those three things. Kawagoe Baum Lab is one of a few that offer something different. Its the only thing on the menu though, so if you aren’t into baum, this is not the place for you!
You can see the baum turning on the spit in the shop. There are 10 different flavors you can choose. They cut pieces off the large baum for each dessert and add the chosen flavors. You can opt for extra toppings at an additional cost. The baum comes in mini tubs that each have a different facial expression (of the logo character) on them. By the by, the bunting you can see in some of the photos in this post, was up because the last time I visited was just before the Kawagoe festival!
Information
Shop: Kawagoe Baum Lab. 川越バウムLab
Address: 〒350-0063 Saitama, Kawagoe, Saiwaicho, 10−5
Hours: 11.30 am to 3 pm seven days a week (There maybe exceptions, please check the official website for any closure announcements).
Cost: from 380 yen (as of October 2022).
Access
The shop is located behind Fueki Shoyu’s main premises on Ichibangai. If you are visiting it from the main strip of Edo period warehouses, you walk down a quaint alley to get to the shop. However, you can also access it from the North and East. There is a coin parking lot conveniently located opposite the shop. There are also the coolest bike lockers opposite the shop too!
Japan is just MAD for ice cream!
They really are. I indulged in one today, I honestly rarely do because if I were to eat one every time I saw one I’d be as big as a house!!