I know that the popular Japanese-originated St. Marc Café is a freshly minted icon in Manila.  But that did not dampen my yearning to try it in the country where it all started.  I and my family had it at a branch within the Namba area in Osaka.

the now iconic choco cro by st marc cafe

People go to St. Marc Café because of their signature and sought after Choco Cro (short for chocolate-filled croissant).  But for me, I would return to St Marc (pronounced as San Maruku) because of their Little Fuji.

Little Fuji which I guess the name was derived from Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji is composed of warm buttery flaky Danish pastry with soft vanilla ice cream drizzled with addictively light caramel sauce.

little fuji (a delicious piece of heaven)

one happy customer…

As expected Japanese vanilla ice cream is so heavenly.  But what is so amazing about this dessert was the savory taste of the Danish pastry.  Japanese pastry chefs of St Marc Café would indeed give the Danish people a run for their money.  We were so impressed we bought the wicked Danish roll for takeout.

Little Fuji, though uncomplicated in its components, is foolishly delicious.  It is so good my soul was screaming “Oishii!”

Kaloka sa sarap!