CONNECTIONS THROUGH CAKE: INTERVIEW WITH OMUSUBI CAKE

Today, we will be getting to know OMUSUBI Cake, a company from Osaka that makes onigiri…or that’s what it looks like, but it’s actually cake! The pastries come in a triangular shape just like the rice balls sold in stores, and there is a great variety of flavors, including matcha, milk tea, and a seasonal special sakura, just to name a few. Let’s learn a little more about OMUSUBI Cake with Shirazu Masayoshi san from the sales department!

Could you please introduce yourself and your role and the company to us? What inspired OMUSUBI Cake to be founded?

My name is Shirazu and I am in charge of the sales department at THREAD WING, Inc. This product was born in the summer of 2018 as the brainchild of our company’s representative, Saito. It all started when a fellow pastry chef talked about rice paper and we had a conversation about how it is hard to tear and easy to eat in one hand. When he visited Tokyo, he was impressed by the idea of a brand that sold tea in wine bottles. At that time, when he went to a convenience store to buy lunch, he picked up an “onigiri” (rice ball). Looking at it, he said “It would be interesting if this long-selling product could be made into a sweet.” This was the beginning of the idea.

The shape of your cakes looks like an onigiri, and even the way you open them is similar! That is amazing. Why did you choose an onigiri shape?

Omusubi is a traditional food that has been eaten in Japan for centuries. That is why it is familiar to all people and easy to remember. And, the “one-hand cake” is also a traditional Japanese dish that can be eaten without a fork and a plate. The “one-hand cake” is a revolutionary appearance that eliminates the need for a fork and a plate. By wrapping the triangular cake in a black cocoa crepe, the cake can be eaten without soiling the hands, and it can also play the role of the appearance of nori (seaweed).

Which flavor of OMUSUBI Cake is your favorite and what is the best selling?

Personally, I like Chestnut. The best-sellers are still the standard Strawberry and Shokora.

Where do you get inspiration for new flavors? We noticed that you are doing a Sakura version for Cherry Blossom season for example! 

We utilize seasonal and local products and food customs to prototype new products.  

Is there a product that you think is a particularly good “starting point” for new customers who want to try OMUSUBI Cake?

I think strawberry is the best. Strawberry shortcake is the standard cake in Japan, and you cannot miss it. First of all, I would like you to find your favorite flavor based on “Strawberry.”

Which drink would you recommend to pair with an OMUSUBI Cake? 

Since it is only a cake, I think coffee would be a good choice for a beverage.

Where can people try your cakes in Japan? 

In Tokyo, we sell our products at T’s GALLERY in GINZA SIX. Other than that, we basically focus on e-commerce and limited-time event openings. Recently, we have also been handling our products in frozen vending machines and unattended sweet stores. Since we are an Osaka-based company, we also have a sales office in Kyobashi, Osaka.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

The one-hand cake, which can be easily enjoyed, is considered as a communication sweet that connects people with each other thanks to its interesting appearance. We also chose the alphabetical product name “OMUSUBI Cake” to express our desire to introduce the product not only to Japan, but also to the rest of the world. We hope if you see the product, you will give it a try. We hope you enjoyed learning about OMUSUBI Cake! If you’re visiting Japan, make sure to check them out! Instagrammable, delicious and very unique this is something to try!

Follow them on:
Website: https://omusubicake.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/omusubicake
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omusubi_cake/ 

 

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