Japanese Cheesecake

[ricebowl]

Has anyone tried the Japanese cheesecake sold at Costco? Is it any good?

[ChowFun_derek]

Tried the S.F. Costco, today May 6, but they had already sold out.

[choctastic]

99 Ranch's cheesecake is also of the light and airy style, though not exactly like the Japanese version, is pretty close.

[caryjones]

Got one the other day. I bought it because it is similar to one I make that also has a texture lighter than the usual cheesecake. The Japanese cheesecake label said the ingredients were cream cheese, heavy cream, egg whites & yolks, sugar, etc. It has an apricot glaze on top that is very mild..almost undetectable, and the sides are sprinkled with almond flakes. I like a light cheesecake so I would buy it again. I think it was about $10.

[kc72]

Thanks for the review, will get one the next time I'm there (if they still carry it)

[The Librarian]

Just curious: this cheesecake sounds similar in lightness to the incredible Zanze's. For those of you who have tried both, is it similar? I've been wanting to try to make a Zanze's style cheesecake, but haven't found a recipe. Thanks!

[anyhow]

Nijiya Markets carry cheesecakes made in their Torrance, California bakery.

Cannot compare to Costco cheesecake, but highly recommend Nijiya choice.

Please report on comparison. Thanks.

See http://nijiya.com/storeInformation.asp for nearest location.

[Agent 510]

Don't different Costcos tend to carry different specialty items? I'd be surprised if an item like that can be found at every Costco...

[kc72]

Saw it at the Richmond warehouse.

[ricebowl]

That is true. Not all Costcos carry the same specialty items. Costco in Vallejo carries this item and the cheesecake sells for about $11-12. It is very light in weight compared to traditional cheesecakes and has the same ingredient content. I am guessing the secret to the light-airiness of the Japanese version is in the treatment of egg whites, beating it to a meringue consistency and then adding it to the batter.

[ChowFun_derek]

I like them as well...I always thought they were steamed then baked to get the light fluffy texture.....
I haven't seen them at the S.F. Costco..has anyone else found them there? Where are they located? Thanks...

[ricebowl]

I don't think it is steamed first then baked as this is not typically a technique used in making baked desserts (as far as I know). But beating egg whites to a stiffness then folding it gently into the batter to bake is a cooking technique to create lightness & airiness as in souffles. I am also guessing that the Japanese version uses less cream cheese.

[ChowFun_derek]

The reason I thought was that there was an upscale Japanese dessert/ sandwich place..across the street from the Movie theater in Palo Alto on University...it has since closed..it was the first place I tasted Japanese cheesecake and I really liked it..and the owner said that is how they made it ...maybe he equated 'steaming' with a 'bain marie'???

[ricebowl]

That is possible too. I'm sure somebody out there knows the answer and has a recipe. LOL. In the mean time, good luck in locating a Costco store in SF that sells it.

[Wheetie]

I saw it today at S. San Fran Costco. I think it was around $10

[yummyrice]

There's Japanese cheesecake? I never knew that Japanese cuisine had cheesecakes. I wonder what it tastes like.

[boris_qd]

It tastes like a mild regular cheese cake but tends to be fluffy. Sort of like a cross between cheesecake and angel food cake - but more tender then angel food.

Frequently sold in cellophane or other plastic packaging in refrigerated sections of "asian" stores (I usually find it in Korean places since there aren't any Japanese specific stores in my area).

Very tasty, highly recommended.

[psb]

Oh, I would be interested in analyzing this ... I really like cheesecake and vatrouchka.
Do you know if say KOREANA PLAZA [Oakland] or SUPER KUKJE market [Daly City] or MOM [SF] keep this?

Also, any hints on what brands/product names to look for? [i.e. Do the boxes actually say "Japanese Cheesecake" or something else]. Some times the signage on asian products are a bit difficult to figure out.

ok tnx.

[oaktowngirl]

The Costco product says "Japanese Cheesecake". It is in the cooler with the cheese, hummus and Indian sauces.

[boris_qd]

At the places I go it does not say "Japanese Cheesecake" in english - just in japanese (although maybe the food label says something).

I'm actually on the east coast but started reading the Bay Area chowhound board in preparation for my impending move to said area later this summer. I'm unable to give specific store advice at this time.

Good luck finding some! I frequently see it in small packages the size of a hostess cupcake (individual sized) package. I've never seen it at Costco - but i rarely shop there.

[psb]

>At the places I go it does not say "Japanese Cheesecake" in english
>just in japanese ...
>
oh, i thought that might be the case ... since if i'd ever seen a sign in
english that said "japanese cheesecake" i probably would have bought it.
i cant read japanese and that is outside my limited j-vocab.

>impending move to said area later this summer
>
welcome to the Best Coast ... better get your bagel, ny pizza, philly
cheese streak, clam chowder and lobster roll fix this summer :-)

[yummyrice]

I see...so it's a modern Japanese creation right?...but based on the western cheescake.

Or has Japanese cuisine always had cheescakes?

[boris_qd]

I'm pretty sure it's a modern creation. In fact - the japanese do western pastries really well - sometimes better then the cultures they steal them from. Try Beard Papas green tea cream puffs for example - and that's at a chain!

I'm always on the lookout for Japanese takes on french pastries. Almost always fabulous.

[yummyrice]

Really? hmmm I'm definitely going to have to try some Japanese cheesecake then.

[LauraB706]

Ok, hope this doesn't turn into a recipe swapping post. But the following recipe has twice as many egg whites than ricebowl's recipe below.

Check out the following picture ~more like an angel food cake, than a traditional American cheesecake.
http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.c...