Delicious dishes made from Japanese sakura flowers.

Currently, MOF Restaurant uses sakura blossoms imported directly from Kyoto, Japan, to prepare ice cream, cakes, and desserts in its Sakura Yokoso-themed menu, such as Sakura Mont Blanc cake, Sakura shaved ice cream, Sakura-flavored fresh chocolate, and Sakura-flavored Dorayaki cake.

Sakura blossoms, the national flower of Japan, embody the wonderful essence of spring. However, due to their short lifespan, the Japanese have devised a method of preserving and enjoying their fragrance for longer periods, allowing them to be used months after the cherry blossom season ends. Sakura blossoms and leaves are used to decorate dishes or ground into powder for culinary purposes, resulting in dishes that are both visually appealing and delicious.

The processing and preparation of sakura blossoms in dishes is also very elaborate. The sakura blossoms used must be "clean," meaning they haven't been sprayed with chemicals or growth stimulants. When about 70% of the blossoms have bloomed, they are carefully harvested, including the calyx and stem, to prevent the petals from falling off. Afterward, the blossoms are washed and salted according to a precise ratio. It takes more than a week and many elaborate marinating steps to produce a single sakura blossom. Sakura leaves are also marinated using a similar method after blanching them in boiling water.

Special combo deals available only from April 1st to May 14th at all 6 MOF Japanese Dessert Cafe branches:

• 1. 30 Le Loi St., Dist.1, HCMC Phone: (08)38277.898
• 2. B3-17A Vincom Shopping Mall, 70-72 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist.1, HCMC Phone:(08)3936.9779
• 3. Saigon Pearl, 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC Phone: (08)3514.9790
• 4. Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, Dist. 5, HCMC Phone: (08)22220460
• 5. Kumho Asian Plaza, Crn Nguyen Du & Le Van Huu Phone: (08)3521.8606
• 6. Crescent-Mall – 2F-101 Ton Dat Tien, Dist.7, HCMC Phone: (08)5413.7332

The Thanh