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Even if you don't live in New York, it's hard to argue that the New York-style cheesecake is not the king of all cheesecakes. It's rich and dense, creamy yet tangy. There's an argument to be made that there's nothing better than a thick NY slice topped with strawberries or chocolate sauce. But a new restaurant is vying for the title of best in cream-cheese desserts, a Japanese chain called Uncle Tetsu's. And it has its sights set on the U.S.
Part of the Panda Express parent company, Uncle Tetsu's Cheesecake will be opening its first stateside location in Honolulu, HI on March 1—with a second slated for Arcadia, CA later this year, the Star-Advertiser reports. And its sweets are totally different from what you're used to. Made with Japanese butter and Australian cream cheese, the cakes are fluffier and less sweet than their American counterparts. The cheesecakes are baked daily in small batches until the tops are golden brown, then served warm—straight from the oven!—but not before getting stamped with the brand's trademark baker logo.
The company's website explains that its adorable anime-style mascot, Uncle Tetsu, is "is a 66-year-old great traveler searching for dream, romance, delicious food and traveling around the world!"
Each 7-inch cheesecake goes for about $10. But the bakery will also hawk other Asian-inspired baked goods like matcha (Japanese green tea) cheesecake, lemon tarts, and honey Madeleines. And this makes sense: Uncle Tetsu's has become so popular globally that it already has locations in Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Cambodia. And it will soon be expanding to more countries in the next few years. And that's more than the Cheesecake Factory can say.
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