Twice is nice for Kulu Kulu Cake

Nadine Kam photos
Kulu Kulu's chocolate cake was among the confections sampled at the grand opening of the patisserie's Eaton Square, Waikiki, location.

After a successful first year at Shirokiya at Ala Moana Center, Kulu Kulu Honolulu has opened its second patisserie at Eaton Square in Waikiki, on Oct. 15, with a blessing and cake for breakfast, sending guests back to work with a smile.

There's no way a person could not smile when facing a refrigerator case full of eye-catching treats in candy colors, and there was also no way any of us could walk out without trying more than one of the confections.

The boutique will continue to specialize in its Japanese-style pastries, including its popular light-as-air strawberry roll cake, made daily with airy pound cake, light cream and fresh strawberries.

Standouts include the Diamond Head Puff, a cream puff ode to Hawaii; the strawberry chiffon cake; and light, creamy soft soufflé cheesecake. If you're the sort who feels remorse when eating dessert, this non-dense cheesecake may ease your guilt.

Other popular confections include cakes made of mango, Okinawan sweet potato and Hawaii's seasonal fruits and flavors.
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The newest Kulu Kulu Cake is at Eaton Square Shopping Center, 438 Hobron Lane #102. Call 808.753.0843. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Visit www.kulukulucakes.com

 The soft soufflé cheesecake and strawberry chiffon cake were two opening day favorites.

Kulu Kulu Honolulu vice president and marketing manager Shigeki Higashi, right, and manager/chief patissier Ayaka Ota.

Now open: Kulu Kulu Cake a taste of Japan

Nadine Kam photos
Treats from Kulu Kulu Cake include green tea tiramisu. custard brulee-filled "Diamond Head," cream roll cake and a chocolate brownie. The Diamond Head is also available with rum caramel filling.

Kulu Kulu Cake opens today, Oct. 25 at Shirokiya, with light Japanese pastries that are "not too sweet" and dainty, as described by baker Eiji Kondo in his remarks to media previewing the confection selection a day ahead.

The lightness of a green tea tiramisu ($4.65) might be compared to a Panya dessert.

Kondo appeared teary as he recalled how he used to be a programmer who loved to bake, and eventually quit his office job to follow his passion. It's now been 17 years since he made that decision and he's never regretted it, enjoying his role of making people happy.

As he described the concept behind the bakeshop, he said that in Japan, each town has its own beloved bake shop, and Kulu Kulu aims to reproduce the confections that Japanese living in Hawaii miss from home. It's the same as if we moved away and suddenly found a bakery in L.A. or Seattle, or Paris reproducing Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs or Leonard's malassadas!

It was noted that "kulu kulu" in Hawaiian translates as "to multiply," so their goal is to multiply the number of people happy with their cakes.

Kahu Keale blesses the staff and guests of Kulu Kulu Cake.

Baker Eiji Kondo and company president Yoji Ikeda.

Operations manager Shige Higashi welcomes guests.

Custard brulee is $3.15. A green tea version is $3.25.

More delights.

Multiple flavors of Aloha Busse, spongecake sandwiching creamy centers. I liked the blueberry cheesecake.