September 5th, 2012 
If you’re in Japantown and craving something sweet, your options are almost endless: equipped with creperies, bakeries, frozen yogurt, sweet shops, and various stores specialized in selling Japanese sweets, Japantown is the ideal retreat for dessert. This wide breadth of dessert establishments are perfect acquaintance to the restaurant mall, so it’s no question that if you’re planning a trip to Japantown, you better arrive hungry!
The famous Geisha Float! (Photo Credit: Naomi Yuen)
But if you want a dessert experience you can’t get anywhere else, head on to Murata’s Café Hana. It’s one of the first establishments you’ll see upon entering the shopping center (Kintetsu Mall) from the Peace Plaza side, nestled by the fountain and seating area. The venue, while small, is quite pleasing to the eye – sleek, modern, clean, and sporting menus with bright writing that tie nicely together with the Christmas-like, light-adorned tree outside. This inviting café is great spot for people watching and a quick snack after browsing the mall. There’s also free wi-fi!
Café Hana offers a wide variety of baked goods and sweets, such as pastries, mochi, ice cream, Japanese baked buns, and individual servings of cakes that are almost too cute to eat – I highly recommend the tiramisu square and chocolate mousse tart. There’s a wide selection of hot and cold drinks as well to pair with your order.
(Photo Credit: Naomi Yuen)
But the real reason I come to Café Hana is for their well-known Geisha Float. A customer favourite, this heavenly dessert consists of green tea ice cream, green tea slush, red bean paste, mochi bites, whipped cream and a cherry. I like to bring along a friend to share this unique treat with or introduce to, though one taste is usually all it takes for them to consider ordering their own – needless to say, we’ve all become all the more reluctant to share each time.
WHERE:
Murata’s Cafe Hana
1737 Post St Ste 368
(between Webster St & Buchanan St)
San Francisco, CA 94115
Ph. 415-567-9133
