Aigre Douce

The Japanese are crazy about baking. However, when Westerners visit here they can often find the Japanese versions of their favorite classics to be somewhat lacking in flavor. Not so at Aigre Douce, a patisserie in the northern part of Shinjuku-ku. The owner, Norihiko Terai trained in France, and adheres to the recipes he learned in those days without modifying them for Japanese taste buds. Each one of his cakes would be right at home at an old neighborhood bakery in Paris, which is just what his shop looks like. The petit gateaux are the stars of the show, such as the chantilly fraise: a layered cake of sponge, cream, and strawberries. The piped dollops of cream on top are picture perfect. A large supporting cast of tarts, macarons, sables, and madeleines will also likely be making their way into your takeaway box at the end of your visit here.