On this trip to Kyoto, I made a point of buying this extremely popular local souvenir, Okoicha Langue de Chat “CHA no KA,” at the airport. Honestly, at first I was a little worried that the white chocolate filling might be too sweet, since some sweets can easily become overly rich and sugary if the flavors aren’t balanced well.
But after actually trying it, all those concerns disappeared. The outer matcha cookies have a wonderfully rich and appealing bitterness that perfectly complements the sweet filling, creating layers of flavor while remaining smooth and easy to eat. In addition to tasting good, the packaging is truly beautiful and elegant, with a distinctly Kyoto feel, making it a very presentable and generous gift. If I have the chance to visit Kyoto again, this is an elegant souvenir I’d want to buy again.


















