This summer, we had the chance to visit Hakodate, and it turned out to be such a memorable trip for so many reasons. One of the best parts? Getting to enjoy Snaffles’ famous cheesecakes again after so many years.
Twelve years ago, I had my first taste of Japanese cheesecake from Snaffles and I instantly fell in love. There’s no other Japanese cheesecake quite like it—so soft, creamy, and absolutely delicious. We sampled a few other brands, but nothing quite measured up to these favourites.
If you’re not familiar with Snaffles, they’re known for their light and creamy Japanese-style cheesecakes. Unlike traditional cheesecakes, these are soft and almost souffle-like – they just melt in your mouth. I also like that they aren’t overly sweet or heavy. They have just the right amount of sweetness with a subtle cheese flavour that feels indulgent but not overwhelming. Most others we’ve tried don’t quite measure up because they either lacked that subtle cheese note or didn’t taste like cheese at all!
Snaffles has been winning hearts since it first opened its doors in Hakodate, Hokkaido, back in 1998. If you’ve ever tasted their cheesecakes, it’s easy to see why they’re so loved. They’ve perfected that Japanese-style cheesecake magic—soft, fluffy, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for more.
Their signature “Catch Cakes” are the highlight of their menu. These little cheesecakes have a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist. Fun fact: Japanese-style cheesecakes, like Snaffles’, were inspired by German käsekuchen in the 1960s. A Japanese chef created a lighter, less sweet version to match local tastes, and the rest is history!
Since it was my son’s birthday, we decided to make these cheesecakes part of a special family moment. We skipped the usual cake and instead stacked Snaffles cheesecakes into a little cake tower. It was fun, simple, and honestly one of the tastiest birthday “cakes” we’ve had.
Celebrating in Hakodate with Snaffles felt like the perfect way to enjoy both the city and its food. Have you ever tried Snaffles cheesecakes or visited Hakodate? Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
