Plums are a popular and integral ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and this ume shop in Shimokitazawa specialises in all sorts of plummy goodness. Usually fermented in sugar, honey or salt, preserved Japanese ume are characterised by their tangy, sweet and salty flavours. For those who find the salty ones a little too pungent, the sweet variety makes for a perfect alternative.
At Ume Labo, you can shop for all sorts of Japanese ume products ranging from preserved whole plums to umeshu and syrups for drinks and dried varieties for snacking. What’s even better is their takeaway menu, which consists of ume juice and shaved ice topped with sugary plum – both perfect for that midday shopping break.