Cake House MEL

Tucked away in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Imagawa, Suginami, Cake House MEL is a takeout cake shop worth tracking down for its specialty chiffon cakes. Set up right at the front door of a private home, visitors ring the doorbell and are warmly greeted by the owner.

The signature chiffon cake stands out for a moist crumb that feels gentle to the touch and a light, cloud-like texture that dissolves cleanly on the palate. Kept mildly sweet without unnecessary additives, each slice lets the natural flavour of its ingredients shine through.

The counter features an inviting array of flavours, from staple favourites such as vanilla bean and chocolate to matcha, azuki red bean, fragrant royal milk tea, and spiced chai. Limited-edition seasonal varieties also appear throughout the year, including autumn pumpkin and early-spring strawberry.

Guests are often welcomed at the counter with a cup of warm buckwheat tea and cake samples to try, making it easy to taste the differences and pick out favourites with confidence. Slices keep for 4 to 5 days refrigerated, and select flavours can be frozen for around 2 weeks, making them just as convenient for an everyday teatime snack as for a casual gift.

Whole chiffon cakes with impressive height can also be ordered in advance for celebrations. The shop operates primarily during the afternoon, and payment is strictly cash only, so having exact change or small bills on hand makes for a smooth visit.