Log & Log

Stroll down a narrow residential lane in Yanaka and you will come upon Log & Log, a petite confectionery shop lined with puddings and varied takes on baumkuchen. The signature spit cake comes in a broad spectrum of flavors beyond the classic plain, including matcha, black tea, cocoa, banana, cheese, and coarse crystal sugar (zarame). The zarame variation is especially pleasant when served chilled, where the crunch of sugar crystals provides an appealing contrast against the tender, pillowy batter. In addition to whole rings, the shop often stocks individually packaged slices as well as end-piece assortments, making it easy to sample multiple varieties in small portions.

Equally well regarded alongside the baked goods are the jarred puddings, such as the Torotoro Pudding and Soka Premium Pudding. Each delivers a lush, meltingly smooth texture, accented nicely when paired with the separately packaged bitter caramel syrup that reins in the sweetness.

The shop operates primarily for takeaway, making it a convenient stop during a neighborhood walk to pick up a mid-afternoon snack or edible gifts. For payment, credit cards are accepted alongside cashless methods such as PayPay, Rakuten Pay, and transit IC cards.