It was way back in 1976 when Marion Crepes opened a crepe shop in Harajuku.
The location is known for the original Japanese-style crepe and the most famous with over 80 locations throughout Japan.
Marion Crepes is known for their secret original dough (uses 10 secret ingredients), artistic style and wide selection of fillings. And a few years ago, the first Marion Crepes opened in the U.S. in California at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, California and two in Honolulu, Hawaii at Ala Moana Center (Shirokiya Japan Village Walk) and Waikiki (Waikiki Yokocho).
And while I have been to the Marion Crepes in Harajuku several times. While I was walking back to the station in Nikko in Tochigi Ward, I decided to give it a try.
Similar to Marion Crepes, it’s a stand where you order and next to it are benches where you can sit down and eat.
The location is more of a downtown area, not in a shopping complex or anywhere that is too crowded. It’s a stand near restaurants and a convenient store. But there is one thing that is different with this Marion Crepes especially that it’s based in Nikko and that it serves something that is more dear to Nikko residents.
And that is Nikko’s famous “Yuba”.
I wrote about this in my review of a restaurant in Nikko, as residents of Nikko insisted I try Yuba (food made with dried soy milk skin).
And they offered Yuba Cheese, Yuba Mayonnaise and Yuba Sugar crepes.
So, that was pretty cool to see and made me wonder if Marion Crepes all throughout Japan have their staple of crepes of a certain ingredient that is popular in that region.
But if there is one thing cool about this shop, it gives people a chance to view the making of a crepe. Problem in Harajuku, it’s busy and crowded and they have many employees that you can’t really get a clear shot of things being made.
But here in Nikko, I was able to see the making of a crepe at Marion Crepes.
For those wonder what I got, it’s the the Banana Chocolate Special which is a basic crepe with vanilla ice creme, banana, cream and chocolate. Also, because I didn’t take my long list of vitamins with me to Japan, I ate bananas every other day (as they are a bit pricey in Japan compared to the U.S.) for potassium.
But as Marion Crepes really pushed for their yuba and part of me was tempted, I had to get back to the train.
But next time I’m in Nikko, I’ll definitely give the Yuba crepes a try!
