The cute desserts from Japan arrive for a short pop–up

Since Koko Zen opened in Florentin in Tel Aviv, offering a winning combination of Japanese sweets with a beautiful envelope of a Zen garden, a regular line lines the sidewalk near the entrance.

The fluffy pancakes that both photograph beautifully and provide long minutes of happiness, have done their part, and together with an intriguing menu dedicated to sweets and savories, a cute Zen garden was established that people come for from all over the country, wait in line and feel for a moment furthest from here.

Now, after 5 months of stabilization, Mihoko San, the Japanese chef of the place, is embarking on an exciting collaboration with the pastry chef Ai. Ai immigrated to Israel from northern Japan 18 years ago, and today she is the owner of Mushroom Cafe, a cafe that operates in her living room and is dedicated to Japanese cuisine in playful versions.

The joint menu of the two will be served until the end of May, and the list of dishes looks tempting and promising: To the pancakes menu will join 2 new flavors: Mochi pancake with matcha whipped cream, homemade mochi envelope – daifuku, matcha sauce and fruit (NIS 59), and a white chocolate pancake sundae with sweet red bean paste, whipped cream and toasted black sesame (NIS 59).

Also participating in the party are cute Taiyaki fish, made of soft pancake dough and crispy at the edges, and come in 2 fillings: Traditional bean paste – just like in Japan or a rich chocolate filling (NIS 20).

The special menu will join the regular menu, which includes a selection of sweet or savory Japanese pancakes, Sando sandwiches – traditional Japanese sandwich in savory and dessert versions, and also Japanese drinks based on tea, sesame, coffee and playful toppings of jelly cubes and various touches. Come with a tripod at the ready. It's going to be colorful and exciting.