Henri V.
Yelp
K.Minamoto is a small shop that offers japanese sweets. Located on the second level doors away from Macy's and across from Eataly.
"MINAMOTO" as Origin of "WAGASHI". "KITCHO" meaning Signs of pleasure. "AN " meaning Places people gather...kitchoan means places of gather, very much like your home kitchen, a place you gather.
It is said that in the past,
the term"WAGASHI" (Japanese-style Confectionery)
originated from the term "KASHI",
which means fruits and nuts. Later on, in the Yayoi Era, Japanese-style confectionery transformed from a part of regular meal into luxurious food that was called "WAGASHI".
K Minamoto has several international locations.
While this shop has been here a couple years, I recently reacquainted myself with these addictive sweet treats and it's become my latest obsession among others...
Over two years ago, I resided at the Ritz Carlton in DTLA and close to DTLA's japanese village, where one of the oldest japanese sweet treat shop, Fugetso-Do is. I love all the variety of mochi, jelly and other japanese treats and miss going there, but going to very urban DTLA during these troubled times was a deterrent. During my times in DTLA, I was often locked in due to street closures from marches, protests of crowds of people, who sometimes had a permit to protest and often times, no permit and just an excuse to cause chaos by congregating in the freeways blocking drivers and making traffic horrific.
Those crowds would affect areas of City Hall and the Japanese village was close by and subject to road closures. While I miss my visits at all my past frequent spots I like, I don't miss the chaos and upheaval from the angry crowd. I'd make a greater difference and rather vote. Peace to their cause though.
Currently, residing in a safer, heavily patrolled with public and private security in Beverly Hills and I am so delighted this shop, K.Minamoto in the Westfield shopping center located in Century City is less than 5 minutes away and I can satisfy my sweet tooth. Have frequently visited the last week and the lovely staff Mizuko was always friendly and helpful. She always wore a face covering and gloves and the shop is very clean and organized. She explained details of each confection with patience to very curious me, because I want to know the contents of what I'm eating.
There are varieties of sweets, cakes, crackers offered boxed or some individually wrapped.
I particularly like the mochi and jelly. Each tastes delicate, subtle flavors and not too sweet...which makes me crave more. Every time I come in to 'just look' I end up buying a boxful. My gym Equinox is steps away, and so don't want to spend more time working off these sweet calories, I limit myself to one treat as it's so addicting. Just when I think I have a fav flav, it changes to another flav. My furbabe Fendi absolutely loves all the mochi and jelly, but is only allowed 1 treat, which she practically inhales each piece, so cut a mochi into a few pieces for her to enjoy.
These sweet treats are wonderful but $$$$ spendy and make a nice gift even if it's for yourself, because you are worth it! Recommend