Koji Tamura, the mastermind behind Mr Cheesecake, has taken the dessert world by storm with his delectable creations. Growing up in Tokyo, Tamura has always had a passion for sweets, particularly cheesecakes. He fondly remembers the cheesecakes his mother used to make for him on his birthdays, especially the one topped with freshly made strawberry sauce.
After years of honing his skills in fine-dining restaurants in Japan and France, Tamura decided to branch out on his own and share his delicious creations with a wider audience. In March 2024, he opened a Mr Cheesecake pop-up store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, where he introduced a special milk tea cheesecake that has been garnering rave reviews.
Tamura’s classic cheesecake is flavoured with vanilla and tonka beans, giving it a unique and irresistible taste. During the pandemic, he generously shared the recipe for his cheesecake on the Mr Cheesecake website, allowing fans to recreate his masterpiece at home. The recipe quickly gained popularity as people shared their results online, leading to a surge in demand for his cheesecakes.
As the pandemic restrictions eased, Tamura began opening more physical pop-up stores, attracting even more fans eager to sample his creations. His latest innovation, the milk tea cheesecake, was inspired by the classic flavors of Hong Kong, particularly the combination of milk tea and pineapple bun. Tamura wanted to recreate this unique flavor profile in his cheesecakes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
To perfect the tea flavor in his milk tea cheesecake, Tamura experimented with different tea leaves, eventually settling on a blend of Sri Lankan Uva tea and aromatic Yunnan black tea. He wanted to capture the essence of Hong Kong in his dessert, and sourcing tea leaves from the region helped him achieve that goal.
Feedback from his customers led Tamura to adjust the sweetness level of his milk tea cheesecake to better suit the preferences of Hong Kong palates. He offers three serving recommendations for his cheesecakes – frozen, semi-thawed, and fully thawed – each providing a unique flavor and texture experience.
Despite the success and acclaim Mr Cheesecake has received, Tamura remains humble and focused on spreading joy through his creations. His motto, „Not the world’s best, but we make your days the best,“ reflects his dedication to providing delicious and memorable experiences for his customers.
As Tamura continues to expand his culinary repertoire, experimenting with both sweet and savory dishes, it’s clear that his passion for food and commitment to excellence will continue to delight dessert lovers around the world. With each bite of his decadent cheesecakes, customers are transported to a world of flavor and joy, making every day a little sweeter thanks to Mr Cheesecake.