DESSERT WATCH

The recently released McDonald's McFlurry Nama Caramel delivers on its promise of caramel flavor and sweetness, but not much else.

Tucked away in the Harajuku back streets, Gomaya Kuki offers ice cream and other unique desserts packed with a sesame-flavored punch.

The latest sweet sweeping across teenage enclaves of Tokyo social media is Korean dessert cafe Snowy Village's new Choco Churros. But don't let appearances fool you: Give this uninspiring, blandly sugary trend a miss.

Fujiya's Instagram-friendly Yume-iro ("dream-colored") Rainbow Cake is made up of five fruit- (and one ramune lemon soda) flavored layers each separated by a line of cream.

Roll Ice Cream Factory has become the go-to Harajuku spot to indulge in the popular rolled ice cream dessert trend with its new trio of sakura flavored sweets.

Cafe de Paris has been a hit back in Seoul, particularly thanks to its Bon Bon series of sweets, which loads up on fresh fruit, layers of whipped cream and powdered sugar.

This Valentine's Day offering from ramen chain Kourakuen features a soy sauce-based ramen with a hefty dose of chocolate.

In its new range, Mister Donut collaborates with pastry chef Toshihiko Yoroizuka to develop fancy takes on the chain's ring doughnuts, and a pair of decadent cake-like creations.

Starbucks Japan's "Japan Wonder Project" offers a nice snapshot of the nation's soft-power campaigns in general. This campaign, which has been going on for over a year now, celebrates Japanese flavors. The range is mostly consumed, though, by Japanese people, already familiar with the ...