Aux Merveilleux de Fred

A facade of dark wood and large glass windows separates this storefront from the surrounding concrete of Yaraicho. Inside, a crystal chandelier hangs above the counter, casting light on rows of meringue pastries coated in whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Frédéric Vaucamps opened this shop to bring the traditional merveilleux pastry from his native northern France to Tokyo. He spent years perfecting the recipe for the airy, melt-in-the-mouth texture that defines these desserts, balancing the meringue with generous amounts of flavored cream.