Cathy C.
Yelp
Yelp Review 2024 #78:
I've been a fan of Suzuya since day 1 when their first location was still at Durango and Warm Springs then moved to Buffalo and Warm Springs. Then, they opened this tiny cafe in Chinatown that used to be a chicken restaurant. We came a few times during soft opening.
I made the mistake of reading some of their Yelp reviews stating their moignets were burnt, their mochi pull is unsatisfactory compared to influencers. So, I leaned towards not getting them.
There has always been lots of people when we come here. This cafe and their Buffalo location have lots of things that are different:
Chinatown cafe is smaller and cramped (they also have outside seating with fans but it's still too hot in 100+ degree weather), they only have mini cakes, the strawberry on their ichigo daifuku is on top instead of inside the mochi, they don't do pre-orders (which I think is a better system. The Buffalo location sometimes take pre-orders for certain items, sometimes they don't and it's frustrating), and this location has moignets which you can't get at the Buffalo location.
So, what's up with these controversial moignets?
Moignets:
"The first & original by Suzuya. Perfect blend of house-made mochi & beignet dough, fresh mochi filling and dusted with matcha powdered sugar." Mochi + beignet = Moignet (mon-yay). I'm sorry to those that had burnt ones. Ours were perfect. If you want a nice mochi pull, you have to do your pull while they're still hot (duh?!) but do brown non-influencer people really care about that? I don't, I just want something that tastes good. Comparing these to Cafe du Monde beignets? Come on! I've been to CdM several times - that's not a real flex and an unfair basis for comparison (LOL). Snaps to Suzuya for being innovative. The moignets we got were hot, nice, fluffy, soft, with soft mochi inside, topped with lots of powdered sugar with matcha. I was wearing black - I don't recommend it as I had to dust myself off. Not too sweet and a nice twist to a very basic beignet 4.5/5
White Mushroom Crepe:
One of the many things Suzuya does well (actually, they do everything well) is their crepe. There's magic in their batter. Scrambled Egg Whites with Gruyere, Mozzarella and Romano Cheese, Shimeji Mushroom, Roasted Pepper, Lettuce and House-made Mayo, add ham because why not? Textures and flavors on point. 5/5
Morning Sando:
Scrambled eggs with Gruyère/Mozzarella Cheese, Salt, Pepper with Ketchup and House-made Mayo, add ham. Their shokupan is just perfect. Buttery, light, soft, fluffy that when they toast it adds more depth to a product that's already fantastic. I cannot eat a ham and egg sandwich anywhere else! 5/5
Iced Matcha:
I can always trust a Japanese establishment to make matcha drinks properly (duh?!). Starbucks' matcha is garbage but when you're desperate it'll do. The deep bright green hue and the taste of Suzuya's matcha is consistent. You can get it sweet or not sweet but even their sweet version isn't sweet which I like so you can really savor the flavor of matcha 5/5
Passion Fruit Iced Green Tea:
Green tea with passionfruit without being tart. It has a nice sweetness to it. It's a refreshing drink. 5/5
Chocolate Cake:
This is a staple for me. Every trip to Suzuya would not be complete without this cake. I hate chocolate cake because it's always too sweet but not this. This is the only chocolate cake I can eat because you taste chocolate and not just sugar. The sponge cake is fluffy and isn't dry. The frosting is soooo good. The crunchy chocolate toppings are great. 5/5
Ichigo Daifuku:
Strawberry mochi with red bean filling. I mean mentioned previously that the Chinatown location has their strawberry (tanghulu) on top instead of stuffed inside the mochi which is actually better aesthetically but it makes it look smaller - you're getting the same amount of filling and mochi. The strawberry on top is smaller than the Buffalo location's version. This is a seasonal item 4.5/5
Mango Mochi:
Half a slice of mango wrapped in mochi. Simple but delicious. Just fruit and mochi, no fluff. Also a seasonal item 5/5
But what Suzuya does that's consistent are: the excellent service and the delicious drinks, cakes, cream puffs, mochi, sandos, and crepes...and having us leave $100+ poorer every trip.
Everyone at this location was nice, friendly and attentive. They checked on us from time to time and made sure we got everything we needed in less than 5 minutes! Our food came out quick. They held our desserts in boxes for us until we were ready to leave.
I will forever be a fan of Suzuya. They've been around for over 10 years and hopefully another 10+ more.