Happy Halloween Weekend! I thought we could wrap up spooky season together by taking a quick peek into one of the ways Halloween in celebrated in Tokyo, Japan.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy any major international city is to experience Afternoon Tea. When we went to Tokyo at Halloween time, I knew I had to go back to The Lounge by Aman in Tokyo’s Otemachi neighborhood. We had been once before and were incredibly impressed with their offering. So, when I learned they had a special Halloween-themed tea, it was an easy choice to return.
The Vibe at The Lounge by Aman
I suppose you could refer to this tea as High Tea, simply because the venue lives up to the name. Afternoon Tea at The Lounge by Aman is served 33 floors above the Tokyo skyline, making for phenomenal views. The lounge is surrounded by 90-foot glass windows which fill the room with diffused daylight.
The interior feels luxuriously peaceful with subtle water features and rock garden elements. Crisp clean lines run the height of the space, adding to the Zen-inspired aesthetic.
A musician softly plays the traditional Japanese okoto, adding to the relaxing feel of the atmosphere. While the service lives up to the Aman name, delivering professional high-end service in an unhurried style.
Afternoon Tea Setting
Our table was simply set with blue, black, and silver tones, allowing our haunted forest style menu to stand out.
Surprising Starters
I love when a tea starts with unexpected goodies. The waitstaff opened a vintage suitcase to present us with sweet treats to start our tea service. These were additional gifts that were not listed on the menu.
A Hauntingly Fun Amuse
This amuse was the first listed item on the menu but totally took us by surprise with the presentation. Eerie vibes were perfectly blended with a bit of creative genius, utilizing blueberry soup to resemble a bloody cocktail.
Our Tea Stand was Served
Our black bamboo-inspired tea stand arrived to dazzle us with the Halloween themed treats.
The savory plate (bottom tier) included:
Kasumi Duck Confit, Purple Sweet Potato, Waffle
Seasonal Vegetable Quiche
Carrot Cake Sale, Carrot Salad, Orange
Bamboo Charcoal Tortilla, Smoked Salmon, Pink Pepper
Burdock Root Pao de Queijo, Truffle
Next, we enjoyed a pumpkin and plain scone before diving into the main event: the petit sweets, which included:
Pumpkin Pudding, Caramel Jelly, Marinated Orange
Cinnamon Financier, Purple Potato Cream
Mont Blanc Chestnut Pie
Fig and Chocolate Mousse, Cassis Compote
The top tier featured a plated dessert style sweet which really impressed me between its fun Dracula theme and its inclusion of a “bloody” raspberry sauce which encouraged playful interaction with the dessert:
Sicilian Pistachio Mousse, Milk Chocolate Cream, Pumpkin Cream Puff, Raspberry Sauce
This afternoon tea was everything I was hoping for from a luxurious hotel in Tokyo. It was the perfect way to kick off spooky season and wrap up our Japan trip. (We literally went straight from there to the airport!)
I hope you enjoyed discovering one of the ways Halloween in highlighted in Japan.
Reply to the email to let me know which of these items you’d most like to try! And don’t forget to share this post with all your foodie friends - your support means everything!
Until our next adventure,
Melly | A Baker Abroad