Pudding Lab Ginza: A Twist On A Favorite Japanese Sweet Treat

Ginza is Tokyo’s premier district for luxury, where high-end fashion, fine dining, and sleek architecture come together in a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity.

Tucked away in these elegant streets, Pudding Lab is a hidden gem serving up some of Tokyo’s most velvety, handcrafted puddings.

The Allure of Pudding: A Short History in Japan

“Purin” (プリン) is the Japanese take on custard pudding or flan. It’s a Western‐style dessert (洋菓子・yōgashi) that has been fully integrated into Japanese food culture, with nostalgia especially for those who grew up in the Showa period (1926-1989).

The roots of yōgashi go back to the Meiji Restoration, when Western influences started mixing with Japan's established food culture. New cooking techniques, ingredients like sugar and dairy, and dessert ideas were adapted into yōgashi, or western style desserts. This included Western-style pudding which was tweaked to appeal to the Japanese taste palette.

Over time, purin became a kind of comfort food: simple, sweet, silky‐smooth, sometimes firm, sometimes more melt‐in‐your‐mouth. It’s found everywhere from cafés and convenience stores to specialty pudding shops.

Retro-style Japanese Purin.

Lately, Japan has seen a charming “retro” revival, with people seeking out treats that capture the warmth of Shōwa-era cafés - most notably retro-style purin. Think purin served in old-fashioned glass cups, topped with caramel sauce, slices of fruit, and a dollop of whipped cream for a classic purin à la mode.

This trend reflects not only nostalgia for a bygone era but also a renewed appreciation for the craftsmanship and simple elegance of traditional Japanese sweets. Pudding is more than a dessert in Japan - it’s cultural, sentimental, and a craft where shops go deep into quality ingredients and presentation.

Pudding Lab Ginza: What Makes It Special

Pudding Lab (プリン研究所 / Pudding Kenkyujo) opened its Ginza store in October 2023 as the first physical store for the brand. Pudding Lab Ginza makes order made puddings with careful craftsmanship using premium ingredients.

Their ingredients are truly elevated. For example, their matcha pudding is made using super premium tea leaves reportedly costing ~¥360,000/kg. They also use high grade vanilla, quality black tea, and specialty coffee.

Besides having excellent ingredients, the way to eat the pudding is unique. Each pudding comes with at least one sauce that you add as a topping to the dessert. After picking your favorite flavor combinations, you can add the amount you would like to your taste!

The “100% Purin Soft” Experience

One of their signature offerings is called “100％プリンソフト” (100% pudding soft). It’s not exactly a soft serve ice cream, but more like pudding turned into a soft serve style by liquefying the pudding, then running it through a soft‐serve freezer machine so it comes out creamy, soft, and swirled.

It’s technically “frozen pudding” under Japanese food laws because true soft serve has a strict legal definition in Japan. Pudding Lab also will add one to five whole small puddings one top. If you are a fan of Japanese purin, the 100% Purin Soft is for you!

Making the 100% Purin Soft.

You can also choose two sauces (out of 12) to go with your pudding soft. I recommend first trying it plain then adding sauces slowly to change the flavor. Each soft-serve pudding comes with an art palette where you can add your topping sauces. As you add your toppings, you can get artistic with taste, texture, and presentation.

Below are the twelve sauces available in the store:

• ノーマルカラメルソース (Normal Caramel)

• スイートカラメルソース (Sweet Caramel)

• ビターカラメルソース (Bitter Caramel)

• バニラカラメル (Vanilla Caramel)

• ラムカラメル（アルコール入り） (Rum Caramel – contains alcohol)

• ブランデーカラメル（アルコール入り） (Brandy Caramel – contains alcohol)

• アニスカラメル (Anise Caramel)

• シナモンカラメル (Cinnamon Caramel)

• オレンジカラメル（アルコール入り） (Orange Caramel – contains alcohol)

• チョコレートソース (Chocolate Sauce)

• ラズベリーソース (Raspberry Sauce)

• マンゴーパッションソース (Mango Passion Fruit Sauce)

My Favorite Flavor Combination

While only two flavors are included per order, there is no limit on purchasing extra tubes. If you are someone who likes to sample lots of flavors, feel free to ask the staff for more at an extra cost.

Armed with twelve flavors myself, I personally recommend combining bitter and sweet, rum and vanilla, or brandy and mango! As you add your flavor sauces, enjoy creating an artistic and personal dessert that looks amazing in pictures.

Final Thoughts

Pudding Laboratory Ginza takes a nostalgic favorite and elevates it with premium ingredients, playful sauce pairings, and serious attention to detail. Whether you’re a retro purin fan or trying Japanese purin for the first time, Pudding Lab Ginza is worth the stop for a simple, rich, and surprisingly refined dessert. It's a sweet reminder that even humble desserts can be made into special experiences!

Looking to explore more Japanese foods like purin? Book our Tokyo Street Food Tour, where you can try a variety of authentic, delicious Japanese food on Tokyo's longest shopping street.