Popular Japanese Castella Cake Brand Quolofune Now Available In Takashimaya

Quolofune castella cake in Takashimaya Food Hall

It’s been a long, long time since most of us have had the opportunity to travel to Japan, returning home with luggages full of goodies. In that time, we’ve had Tokyo Banana, Fukusaya Castella, and such popular snack souvenirs come to us instead. The latest of these is yet another brand famous for their castella cakes: Quolofune, now available at a pop-up store in Takashimaya.

Head to Basement Two of the mall, and into the Food Hall to find Quolofune’s temporary location. They’re situated outside Cold Storage, opposite the row where Bee Cheng Hiang and Bengawan Solo are.

Quolofune, founded in 1919, is most known for their castella cakes, of which there are three that you can get at this pop-up. Each rectangular cake, which comes pre-sliced into eight, is priced at $28. Right now, Quolofune is running a buy two, get one free promotion storewide! If you buy three castella cakes, that works out to just $18.67 a cake.

Image credit: @quolofune_official

For the uninitiated, castella cakes, also known as Kasutera (カステラ) in Japanese, was introduced to the country in the 16th century by the Portugese, who in turn got it from the Spanish Pão de Castela—bread of Castile.

Image credit: @quolofune_official

It’s typically made with just four ingredients: egg, sugar, bread flour, and syrup, although some versions are brushed with honey to finish. Look at the bottom of your castella cake, and you should also see sugar crystals, sprinkled, pre-baking, into each pan before the batter is poured in.

The Castella Matcha is, like all the other products on sale, made in Japan. Flavoured with earthy matcha, this version would have a touch of bitterness from the tea.

If you prefer deeper, more caramelised flavours, go for the Castella Kokuto, where muscovado sugar intensifies the sweetness of the cake.

Priced at $3.80 a piece are Quolofune’s dorayaki, which similarly come in Original, Matcha, and Muscovado Sugar variants.

Image credit: @quolofune_official

These come filled with a Hokkaido Tokachi azuki bean paste.

Otherwise, go for Viaada Classic ($3.20), a crisp waffle sandwich featuring a cream centre.

Image credit: @quolofune_official

It also comes in a Matcha ($3.20) alternative, made with premium matcha from Kyoto.

The last in the range of products available in Singapore is Novo Tile ($24): squares of baked chocolate rusk, mixed in with pieces of castella rusk.

Image credit: @quolofune_official

Each box comes with both dark and white versions. While you’re here, you could also pop over to Kele’s kiosk for more desserts. For more Japanese sweets, here are 12 Don Don Donki desserts you can try!

Address: 391 Orchard Road, B2, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore 238872
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Website
Quolofune is not a halal-certifed eatery

Photos taken by Michelle P & Melvin Mak.
This was an independent article by Eatbook.sg

Feature image adapted from @quolofune_official