You might expect a yellow cake to be banana or lemon-flavored, but surprisingly it might not be. It’s not sweet at all, but a very subtle taste of honey is hidden in a fluffy yellow sponge cake. It is very simple to make with minimal ingredients which are flour, eggs, sugar, olive oil with a touch of soy sauce, and a sweetener such as honey or syrup. This cake, known as “Castella,” is a great snack to pair with afternoon tea, as it has the perfect amount of sweetness to compliment the bitterness of tea. This perfect combination of rich and light is what makes the castella so special and sets it apart from other famous sponge cakes.
I always thought Castella was a Japanese treat, but upon further research, I found out that this cake has Spanish origins. In the 16th century, Portuguese traders introduced sponge cake recipes to the country which have since further developed in Japan to suit the Japanese palette better. In fact “Castella” is said to come from the Portuguese term “Pão de Castela” which translates to “cake of Castile.” In Japan, the cake is often introduced as “Nagasaki’s Castella” and this is because the cake was first introduced in Nagasaki before spreading throughout the rest of the country.
Though the cakes found in Spain and other parts of Europe and the modified Japanese version remain similar (as they are made from the same ingredients and are still spongey), there are a few noticeable differences. The Japanese modified the cake to have a light, fluffy texture while the European version is denser with a stronger flour flavor.
This fluffy treat is also a perfect choice as a small offering during gatherings and celebrations. A nice box of bite-size castella cakes can be bought at food halls in department stores while whole slices or cakes can be bought in bakeries or confectionary shops.
Since it was first introduced in Nagasaki, this would be a great city to try the famous cake. One of the most well-known brands is Bunmeido and there is a highly rated Bunmeido main store (found at 1-1 Edomachi, Nagasaki, 850-0861, Japan Across the street from Ohanyo station) where you can pick up your new favorite store-bought treat.
Though the main store is in Nagasaki, the brand is so popular, there are branches in department stores spread throughout the country. Because this cake is so beloved by a majority of Japanese locals, it is not unusual to receive as a gift at festivals or large gatherings, for this reason, a handful of confectionery stores and department stores selling the sponge will also sell a variety of pre-packaged castella gift packages.
Bunmeido Castella: pre-packaged gift size – Photo Credit: Japanese Souvenir Guide
If Nagasaki is too far away for you, I’ll be suggesting more places from across Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka where you can pick up this delectable treat.
Tokyo
There are a few locations throughout Tokyo and Yokohama where you can find “Fukusaya,” another famous confectionery shop known for selling castellas. One branch of this incredible shop is “Fukusaya Meguro Shop, Tokyo Factory,” being only a five-minute walk from Saigōyama Park. (1 Chome-26-7 Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0042)
Nagasaki Castella – Photo Credit: fukusaya_castella1624
Another recommendation I can suggest in Tokyo is “485 Tokini Castella,” located within a 20-minute train ride from Tokyo Skytree, (2 Chome-2-14 Tokiwa, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0006, Japan). This is a nice cafe where you can choose from a selection of castella and other cakes while enjoying the ambiance of a warm and cozy cafe.
A variety of castella flavors to choose from – Photo Credit: 485_toniki
Kyoto
Moving on to Kyoto, my first recommendation would be “Castella do Paulo,” located across the street from Kitano Temmangu Ichi no Torii (First Torii gate) (Japan, 〒602-8386 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Imakojicho, 上がる馬喰町８９7蔵Ａ). This particular shop leans more towards the Portuguese roots of the cake, making this an excellent location to experience the original version of the castella before the onset of Japanese influence.
Classic Portuguese castella – Photo Credit: Catella do Paulo
“Fan Pai Pai,” located 20 minutes away by train from Nijō castle (565-3 Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan) is a dessert stand that can be found on the Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street. I especially like this location because there is a bakery where you are actually able to see the cakes being made.
Freshly baked castellas on display available for purchase – Photo Credit: Sakura Blue Online Store
Osaka
Throughout Osaka, there are a few “Ginso” pastry shops, located across from Amagasaki station (one of which is, 〒661-0976 Hyogo, Amagasaki, Shioe, 1-chome−3−1 あまがさき阪神1F). This is the perfect place to pick and try a few different Castella flavors, you could even bring some home as a gift for a gathering.
Pre-packaged Castella perfect for gifts – Photo Credit: Ginso
While you walk and explore the city, “Sanpoya,” located within a 10-minute walk from Shin’ike pond (1-76 Ichigayacho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-0873, Japan) would make a great stop to pick up a bundle of little castella treats to enjoy on the go. At this incredible shop, several bite-sized pieces of this sponge are put in a to-go bag for easy snacking as you walk.
A family-run stand selling several castella to enjoy with friends on the go – Photo Credit: Sanpoya website
Castella has a rich history as it’s not “just a Japanese cake”, but has roots going back all the way to Portugal. With this brief introduction of castella and a list of places to try in a few major cities across Japan, I strongly encourage you to try castella as it is truly a unique cake to Japan. Remember to also pick up a few gift packages to hand out to family and friends as I’m sure they’ll be deeply appreciated.
Feature photo: Bianca Bache
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