The super-popular Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding is known as a gift from Nara Prefecture that is always appreciated. Many people have become hooked on the delicious Nara pudding and its silky, smooth texture.
The place to go to enjoy the total experience of the Nara pudding is Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding Honten Purin no Mori Café - a bit of a mouthful, but we’re sure you’ll be captivated by its flavors and charm. The exterior and interior of the facility were designed with the image of pudding in mind—it’s a very unique and charming store.
Tasty Nara Pudding Everywhere!
Riding the bus for about 8-minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station a cute sweets looking building comes into view.
Purin no Mori café was created due to the president’s dream of, well, making pudding in a pudding. This is the main shop for Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding, which is now a Nara Prefecture standard.
The Nara pudding was originally a dessert that a couple served at their pasta restaurant and became commercialized. In 2007 it received the Nara Prefecture Tourism Gift Award and after receiving so much praise they converted the shop into a pudding specialty shop.
Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding was made by the couple filled with love, they made it so it has a “kind motherly flavor” so even otherwise picky eaters would enjoy it. Pudding come cute jars which can be used for other stuff later. There are big and small sizes and the flavor and texture changes slightly.
The large size puddings are made with simple ingredients: milk, fresh cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla beans. They have a nostalgic taste—something like what a mother would make for her child; they have a slightly thick texture. The large size comes in 2 flavors: standard custard and Nara Prefecture’s tea, Yamato Cha.
Compared to the large size puddings, the small size has a silkier and smoother texture. If you have to compare them, the large size reminds us of a moms country cooking and the small one has more of a fancy city style.
There are 6 flavors: custard, Yamato Cha, rare cheesecake, chocolate, cappuccino, and local sake from Yamato. Each has different qualities; for instance, the Yamato Tea uses red bean paste instead of caramel at the bottom to give a more Japanese sweetness. The cappuccino flavor has a freshly ground espresso aroma which gives the pudding great taste.
Another popular product is the Shiroi Shika no Purin (White Deer Pudding) with a cute picture of a deer. It is a white pudding made with the image of a white deer, which is considered to be god’s messenger.
They have 3 different flavors of Mont Blanc chestnut, yogurt, and white coffee. The gap between the white color and coffee flavor is somewhat shocking to the senses, also the recipe is a secret. It is very unique and we recommend it.
They also have cherry blossom flavored Sakura Pudding and rice pudding made from 4 colored ancient rice, Shishinju Kodaimai Pudding
Also, you can forget about the soft ice cream that is limited to the main store. Depending on the day 70% of the customers will order it.
There are other stores that sell Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding, however, the soft cream can only be enjoyed here.
They have three flavors of ice cream: pudding, custard, and caramel. The pudding flavor is a mix of caramel and custard, by eating both flavors at once it creates a pudding flavor.
You can get the pudding and soft serve to go, however we recommend eating at the store. The wellhole style store has counter seats, table seats, and booth seats on the first and second floor.
Each seat is made from different kinds of wood, such as walnut, cherry, Japanese zelkova and monkeypod. It’s like a maze and almost like entering a Nara pudding forest.
On a nice day, you can also eat on the lawn outside. It is equipped with swings and hammocks, a perfect place for adults and children to have fun.
Mr. Takagishi said, “pudding doesn’t last long, so we have other Nara gifts that will last longer.” They sell coffee, sundries with the Mahoroba Pudding Daibutsu picture, jam that looks like pudding and pudding flavored tea—so make sure to check it out!
Fun, delicious and cute! Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding Honten Purin no Mori Café. Come visit for a sweet relaxing time.
-
Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding Honten Purin no Mori Caféまほろば大仏プリン本舗 本店 プリンの森・カフェ
- Address 1073 Narazakocho, Nara, Nara Prefecture
- Phone Number 0742-23-7515
Hours: 11:30AM – 5:30PM (last order 5:30PM)
Closed: No scheduled holidays
- Area
- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Recommended places for you
-
GiontamejiroGion
Other Cafes and Sweets
Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple
-
Menu
ISHIDAYA Hanare
Yakiniku
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
Kamesushi Sohonten
Sushi
Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi
-
Yoru Parfait specialty restaurant Parfaiteria PaL Shinsaibashi
Other Cafes and Sweets
Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi
-
Uji-en KissakoShinsaibashi Main store
Other Cafes and Sweets
Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi
-
Tenku cafe
Other Cafes and Sweets
Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi
-
Must-Try Kyoto Restaurants for Fall Foliage and Food Near Nijo Castle: 11 Top Barbecue and Okonomiyaki places, and the Hottest New Cafés
-
Enjoy a Deeper Connection to Japan With Fascinating Cultural Experiences in Kyoto and Osaka
by: James Davies
-
What to Do in Osaka & Kyoto in November: Top Events, Festivals, Fall Foliage & Illuminations
by: Kaori Kimura
-
Nara’s Heritage: Enjoy a Special Journey into Japan’s Traditional Soul
-
Fade into Kyoto: Momotaro Jeans Heads to New Denim Destination
by: Chehui Peh
-
Don’t Miss the Autumn Fireworks Festivals! Enjoy Fun Displays & Competitions Across Japan
by: Kaori Kimura
Inspiration for Accommodations
-
Charming Hotels to Enjoy the Spectacular Views of Arashiyama's Autumn Leaves from Your Room
-
Spacious Family Hotel in Namba: 20 Comfortable Stays for Family Fun
-
Experience Stunning Views of Osaka Castle from Private Spaces: Top Hotels Near Osaka Castle
-
Recommended by Visitors! Arashiyama's Best-Rated Hotels
-
Family-Friendly Universal Studios Japan Hotel with Excellent Access
-
Enjoy Night Views from Your Room! Recommended Hotels in Namba Area
-
Enjoy a Comfortable Stay in Osaka! 10 Hotels with Convenient Airport Shuttle Services
-
Top 10 Recommended Hotels Near Namba Station with Great Access
-
5 Popular Things to do in Umeda - Osaka's Central Area!
by: WESTPLAN
-
First Starbucks with Tatami?! We Take You Inside Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya
-
3 Must-Try Nara Cafes Serving Unforgettable Matcha Green Tea Sweets
by: WESTPLAN
-
3 Select Warabi Mochi Shops in Kyoto: Trying Out Japan's Kooky Dessert
-
Universal Studios Japan: Guide to Osaka's Giant Theme Park Attractions!
-
Visiting Osaka's Iconic Tsutenkaku Tower: Fun Activities & Area Guide
- #best gourmet Osaka
- #things to do Osaka
- #what to do in kyoto
- #what to bring to japan
- #best gourmet Kyoto
- #new years in Osaka
- #what to buy in nanba
- #Visiting Osaka
- #onsen tattoo friendly arima
- #daiso
- #Visiting Kyoto
- #best japanese soft drinks
- #japanese fashion culture
- #japanese convenience store snacks
- #japanese nail trends