dintora

The first taste is sweet, but as you work your way through the soft-serve, the heat of shichimi pepper gradually follows. That unexpected mix of sweet and spicy is one reason to stop at dintora, a spice shop in Nishiki Market. People who have tried its shichimi soft-serve describe the vanilla sweetness arriving first, followed by a peppery kick. Some say the shichimi flavour comes through clearly, while others find the heat mild and easy to enjoy. It offers a different kind of sweet treat, whether or not you usually seek out spicy food.

Alongside shichimi, the shop offers seasonings such as sansho and yuzu kosho, which bring fragrance and heat to the table. Some visitors say they compared the levels of spice and the tingling sensation of sansho before choosing what to buy. Shichimi togarashi has reportedly been available to sample, so if you are unsure, you can ask for advice based on your preferred level of heat or the dishes you have in mind. One customer says they use yuzu kosho not only with hot pot but also with grilled meat. Thinking about how you might use the seasonings can help narrow the choice, whether you are after sansho's aroma and tingle or yuzu's citrusy flavour and heat. Shichimi-flavoured rice crackers have also been reported for sale, making dintora a stop for both pantry seasonings and a snack while exploring Nishiki Market.