Starting from street vending to establishing a store, the cafe "Niwa to Bungaku" offers lunch and sweets. They are improving and updating their popular pudding. We spoke with the manager, Nakahara Yosuke.
I want you to enjoy cute pudding at home
Why did you update the two types of pudding?
Nakahara
When it comes to pudding, we often describe the texture as "hard" or "smooth," but nowadays, visuals are very important, especially on social media. However, the retro pudding that you flip over can only be obtained by going to the store, and you have to eat it there. Alternatively, there are some that are sold in a flipped state at the store.
Not long ago, when I sold pudding online, a customer posted on Instagram saying they tried to remove the pudding beautifully but "failed," showing a messy state. I thought this was a big problem.
I had been thinking for a while about how to make it like Pudding Pudding. Pudding Pudding can be flipped over due to the shape of the container. Since we don't have a container, we can't do that, but did you know that pudding with gelatin can be removed by shaking it? When you spin it, it pops out beautifully.
However, this can only be done with pudding that contains gelatin; if it is made with baked eggs, the surface gets cooked and sticks to the container, so it cannot be removed cleanly. It's not that pudding without gelatin cannot be removed at all; sometimes, it can be done. I thought that something might be able to be removed under certain circumstances.
As a result of changing the temperature and recipe, there might be one in ten thousand that doesn't come out, but we have reached a state where it almost comes out 100%. Even the staff were able to do it all, so we were able to sell a product that anyone can easily enjoy retro pudding.
Did you manage to create pudding that comes out even without gelatin?
Nakahara
Yes. It is completely additive-free, and we do not use any coagulants, stabilizers, plant-based oils, flavorings, or colorings. We started selling it in May 2024.
How should I put it, this is a social issue. The social issue of not having cute pudding at hand. I created a pudding that is too cute (firm pudding) to solve this social issue. You don't take pictures of it in the container, do you? It has to be in an inverted shape.
"Maze Koze Confectionery" where you can shop slowly
There is a car in front of the store, but are you selling sweets?
Nakahara
We started "Maze Koze Confectionery" in April 2024. Since our store requires customers to take off their shoes, I thought it was a high hurdle for those coming to take things home. When I wanted to solve that, I thought it would be nice to have a store for takeout in the garage, and that's how it was born. Until now, some customers have been ordering from the entrance, and it seems that many people don't want to take off their shoes.
How would you like people to use the Maze Koze Confectionery?
Nakahara
I hope people will stop by casually.
Basically, it is unmanned, and there is just a button. When you press the button, a staff member will come out, so you can shop without worrying about being seen. Please take your time to choose, and when you decide, press the button. If you feel that there is nothing you want, you can just leave. There is no strange pressure from staff, and you can look at the products slowly.
The car was purchased for the Maze Koze Confectionery and was DIY modified. Since it has a refrigerated showcase, pudding can also be purchased here.
Since it is movable, I would be happy if event organizers would call me if there are any events.
I want to continue exploring pudding
You continue to take on various challenges, but do you have any future goals?
Nakahara
I want to develop a container that can be flipped over like Pudding Pudding. The biggest problem is money, and I think it will be in the millions of yen. It’s not just about developing it; we also need the sales power to consume the product. It’s not enough to just have money; we need to secure sales channels properly before we can take on the challenge.
I am also considering a canned version of the container. Making cans requires certain equipment, so it will likely cost money as well. But if we can realize it, we can export it. I want Japanese pudding to go overseas. The catchphrase is "With pudding, the world is cute."
If we have canned pudding, we can have pudding ready in any situation. There is no cuteness in the mountains or cityscapes. However, if you take a picture with pudding, the scenery instantly becomes cute. With pudding, the world is cute.
There are risks in development, but where does your motivation and passion come from?
Nakahara
I can't explain why I love it, but there is one story that resonates with me. When I was in my twenties, I asked an artist, "Why do you draw so much?" They replied, in a crude way, "It's like going to the bathroom." It's just expelling what is inside.
I feel the same way; it’s not about having energy or not, it’s just that I’m walking in the direction I’m meant to go. It’s a natural act, and I don’t feel that it’s amazing at all. However, I do understand that it is very difficult until you reach that point.
Conclusion
Starting from selling with a tricycle, establishing a store, and continuously updating their popular pudding, cafe "Niwa to Bungaku" is impressive. I feel a sense of respect for Nakahara, who can take on new challenges while I struggle to get started. I was also surprised that he does not consciously think about new attempts but sees them as completely normal.
Nakahara continues to move forward without being satisfied with the current situation. I am sure that his dream of developing a new container will also come true. I am looking forward to the day when the pudding from cafe "Niwa to Bungaku" takes flight overseas and makes the world cute.
Data on cafe "Niwa to Bungaku"
| Name | cafe "Niwa to Bungaku" |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-14-45 Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-7459-0572 |
| Parking | Available 7 spaces at Namba Parking with yellow poles |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last order at 4:00 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Sunday Maze Koze Confectionery is open Thursday to Saturday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Available Reservations required for use after 5:00 PM |
| Seating | 22 seats: 16 table seats, 4 counter seats, 2 sofa seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | cafe "Niwa to Bungaku" Instagram |
