[Theater Dining Vol. 8] Hokkaido Soft Serve in Ikebukuro

In this corner, we introduce recommended restaurants around the theater! This time, it's in Ikebukuro... it's Hokkaido! I went to eat soft serve at the official Hokkaido antenna shop, Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza.

To tell you the truth, I had intended to write this draft about a different candidate. But on the day I went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, when I stepped outside my house, it was so clear that it was as if the sky was saying, "Well, the rainy season is finally over!" The early summer sun felt pleasant, and I thought, "...Isn't now the time to introduce soft serve for theater dining!? (Translation = Ah, I want to eat soft serve)" and hurriedly changed my plans. Sorry to the other candidate. I'll definitely write about you someday, so for now, let me keep you in my stock!

Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza Ikebukuro is located on the basement floor of the Ikebukuro Shopping Park (ISP) North Building. It might be easier to get around if you use the Ikefukuro owl statue as a landmark. It's on the east exit side, so it's close to the Sunshine Theatre, Theater Green, and Theater KASSAI. Of course, it is also accessible from theaters on the west exit side, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and Owlspot.

There was a bit of a line when I arrived at the store. It is the official Hokkaido antenna shop, so I think it's a famous spot. I couldn't decide what to eat, but I chose vanilla to introduce the standard first. Next time I stop by, I want to try melon or top the vanilla with haskap berry sauce! As I write this draft, I'm already looking forward to my next theater visit. You can choose between a cone or a cup, so I asked for a cone.

Now, for the first bite. My first impression is "Milk!!" It has a fresh milkiness, and you can really taste the milk. It feels like licking cold milk. It melts well, slides smoothly over the tongue, and a gentle sweetness spreads in the mouth afterward. It would fall into the category of less sweet soft serve. When eaten with the cone, it has a crunchy, crispy texture, like eating cold cereal. A refreshing morning scene came to mind. It's a luxurious time, somehow.

And it doesn't have that cloying thirst-inducing quality common in rich soft serve. It can be eaten as smoothly as a liquid, yet it is highly satisfying in flavor. I was thinking, "This is the kind of thing you eat all at once!" and before I knew it, I had finished it. If anything, I want to repeat the melon one right now. I'm also curious about the tomato juice.

I finished eating with great satisfaction, and as I walked toward the theater, I suddenly realized something. It might be because I was eating it so intently, but my body felt cool. After all, soft serve is best eaten during the hot season. I had never thought of cooling down my mind and body before a show with soft serve. But this might be really good. I think I'll make "pre-theater soft serve" my personal trend this summer. One more joy of going to the theater has been added.

Text: Takashi Sonoda (Theater writer, editor, Editor-in-Chief of "BITE")

Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza Ikebukuro Store
1-29-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Ikebukuro Shopping Park North Building B1F
TEL: 03-3982-0170