ARTICLES
Sapporo's Last Parfait Tour (1) "Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato" A thorough introduction to the menu and interior of the super popular shop with long lines
- "Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato" continues to lead the parfait culture
- Highly recommended for first timers! The "Enjoy Course" includes alcohol, parfait, and coffee
- Parfait Sato's signature flavor! The most popular is "Salted Caramel and Pistachio"
- The interior of the store is stylish. There is also a projection mapping production.
- You can also pick up souvenirs on your way home! "Satodo Shop" on the first floor
"Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato" continues to lead the parfait culture
Parfait Sato, which could be said to be the pioneer of Sapporo's Shime Parfait culture, is an extremely popular shop that always has a long line. It opened in 2016 and will reopen in April 2024 after moving to the center of Odori, Sapporo. Conveniently located near Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, and Odori Subway Station, the entire building from the first to third floors is dedicated to Parfait Sato.
Since the relocation and reopening, the number of seats has increased, and even if there is a line, it seems to move faster than before. Since you can move around by elevator, it is now easy to use even if you have a stroller or large luggage. It is also very popular with inbound tourists, and you can often see Korean couples pulling suitcases.
Parfait Sato is popular no matter when you go, but when I asked the staff member Takemura about the quieter times, he told me that weekday lunchtimes are often vacant. Since there are fewer customers than in the evenings or on weekends, you're more likely to be able to get a seat without having to wait.
Highly recommended for first timers! The "Enjoy Course" includes alcohol, parfait, and coffee
This time, I sat at the counter seat on the second floor. The only way to enjoy the atmosphere is to watch the parfait being made right before your eyes while enjoying your drink.
When we visited in December, the restaurant was closed for the winter, but in the warmer months they set up an open-air terrace seating area, which is also apparently popular.
The "Enjoyment Course" (3,400 yen including tax) that I ordered was a set of five appetizers, alcohol, a parfait, and coffee, and was a course that allowed me to quite literally enjoy Parfait Sato.
The snacks change slightly depending on the season. On this day, we had pickles, pate, canapes, carrot rapées, and other items, all paired with sparkling wine. They were colorful and a feast for the eyes and the tongue. They also seemed to go well with wine and whiskey. They also had a wide selection of single malts, including Yoichi and Macallan, so I wanted to try a few.
Parfait Sato's signature flavor! The most popular is "Salted Caramel and Pistachio"
I chose the most popular parfait, "Salted Caramel and Pistachio." Although the seasonal parfaits and sundaes are also delicious, many people may say that this is the one that comes to mind when they think of Sato. This parfait is very cute, with two types of mounds of ice cream lined up next to a fragrant almond tuile as an accent.
The glass also contains blackcurrant mousse and apple compote, giving it a refreshing yet deep flavor. The balance between richness and freshness is exquisite, allowing you to enjoy the drink until the very end without getting bored of the taste and texture.
Coffee is the perfect match for a parfait after enjoying snacks and sparkling wine. You can choose from three types: mild roast, Italian roast, and cold coffee. The mild roast I had this time was fragrant and went well with the sweets, with a crisp flavor. For those who like dark roast coffee, the Italian roast is also recommended. The cute coffee cups and saucers, available in a variety of colors and patterns, are also worth checking out.
In addition to the courses and parfaits introduced here, there are also a variety of other menu items such as pistachio confectionery platters and cake sets. You can use it as a cafe or bar to suit your tastes.
The interior of the store is stylish, with projection mapping effects.
This time, I enjoyed parfaits and drinks at the counter seats on the second floor, but the third floor has a completely different atmosphere. You can enjoy projection mapping on a large table.
The parfait is cute and beautiful on its own, but the projection mapping adds to the atmosphere and is extremely popular. It's a space that can be enjoyed with all five senses. If you have a seating preference, please tell the staff when you enter the store.
Speaking of staff, one of my personal favorite points at Parfait Sato is their hospitable service. The staff are always very busy, but their casual consideration and smiling service is impressive.
You can also pick up souvenirs on your way home! "Satodo Shop" on the first floor
On the first floor, where the cash register is located, there is a shop called "Sato-do", a pistachio confectionery specialty store run by Parfait Sato. They sell the iconic "Kuma Monaka", as well as pistachio confectionery, chocolates, and assorted gift sets.
The cakes in the display case can be ordered for eating in or taken out. In addition to sweets, badges and masking tape are also sold, all of which are very cute. They are also recommended as souvenirs from Hokkaido.
Payment is done at a self-checkout system, where you scan the QR code printed on the receipt into the machine to make the payment. Individual payments are also available, so even if you come with a group of people, you can easily pay for just your own portion.
In the sweets world, where trends come and go in short cycles, the Shime Parfait has become a part of Sapporo's food culture, having established itself as more than just a passing fad. Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato is a representative Shime Parfait shop. It is delicious and fun, with a sense of security and newness. It will continue to entertain many people as a leader in Sapporo's parfait scene.
Parfait, coffee, sake, Sato (main store)
■Location: Ki NINARU Building, 2-1-2 Minami 1 Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo ■Closed days: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 13:00 to 24:00 (last orders 23:30) Friday and Saturday: 13:00-25:00 (last orders 24:30) ■Closed: New Year's holidays and other irregular holidays (announced on official Instagram) For details and maps of "Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato (Main Store)" please click here.
Writer Profile
Writer living in Sapporo Even Haneda
Originally from Gifu Prefecture, she moved from Kumamoto to Sapporo in 2021 and was astonished by the size and deliciousness of Hokkaido. She is a freelance writer specializing in gourmet food, travel, agriculture, and real estate.