Simple, elegant, modern, and stylish–from the minimalist shop design, to the packaging and pastries, Makoon Yokohama is an embodiment of all of those qualities. This small, hole-in-the-wall bakeshop is beloved by locals, and even during our short visit, customers popped in to greet friendly manager and pâtissier, Ryuji Honda, and get their dessert fix for the day.
All the packaged pastries that line the counter are handmade by Honda. We tried his pound cake which came in two flavors, chocolate (¥250) and caramel (¥230). Both had chunks of chestnuts in them, making for the perfect seasonal treats. The sable cookies were our favorite–light, soft, and buttery, but also crispy around the sugar-coated edges. You can buy a pack of four (butter and cocoa flavors) for ¥200, or a larger container for ¥650. The Almond Financier (¥210) was moist and subtly sweet, and the strong, nutty flavors blended well with the rich taste of butter. Last but not least, the Florentine (¥240), a mix of hazelnut, almonds, and macadamia nuts caramelized with honey on top of a tart base, and garnished with pieces of pistachio, is a rare, delicious pastry that you’ll definitely want to try.
Honda created all of Makoon’s recipes, and successfully brings a modern twist to classic flavors. He developed his knowledge and skills through 12 years of work experience, which has clearly paid off. He moved to Yokohama upon Makoon’s opening in December of 2015, and has since grown into a respected pâtissier, supported by his faithful customers. Makoon Yokohama aims to become an iconic brand that represents the city–a place where tourists and locals alike will want to stop by whenever they make a trip to Minatomirai. Wrapped gift boxes start from ¥1500 and are the perfect gift for friends and family.
