Have you ever seen the steamy glass case next to the register at a Japanese convenience store? That’s the special spot for “Chuka Man” (Chinese-style steamed buns). When the cold season arrives, warm snacks like meat buns (nikuman) and sweet red bean paste buns (anman) fill the stomachs and hearts of people in Japan. However, in the autumn of 2025, a completely new item that overturns this convention will be released from FamilyMart. Its name is the “Apple Fromage with a Hint of Tea.” This is a genuine hot sweet in the shape of a steamed bun.
A New-Concept Hot Sweet Supervised by a World No. 1 Pastry Chef
The creator of this special sweet is none other than Chef Yuji Ajiki, who holds the distinction of being the first Japanese person to win the “Grand Prix International Mandarin Napoleon Concours,” a world pastry competition held in 1996. His own shop in Kanagawa Prefecture, “SWEETS garden YUJI AJIKI,” is so popular that it attracts sweets fans from all over Japan. Now, the chance to easily experience the taste of this top pastry chef has arrived at FamilyMart stores nationwide.
This “Apple Fromage with a Hint of Tea” is the third product supervised by Chef Ajiki for FamilyMart, and his first-ever hot sweet. His previous breads and desserts were also highly acclaimed, but this time, it’s a heartwarming treat perfect for the cold season.
What’s Inside? The Golden Combo of Apple and Cheese!
Break open the fluffy bun, and you’ll find a sweet stewed apple compote and creamy cheese. The chef’s special touch is deliberately leaving a crisp texture in the apples. A smooth cream cheese from Hokkaido gently envelops the juicy apples, adding richness and a refreshing acidity to the sweetness. Chef Ajiki himself is so confident in the creation that he comments, “The compatibility of apple compote and cream cheese is undeniable!”
The Secret to the Dough is the Aroma of “Tea”
Another star of this sweet is the lightly colored dough. Based on Chef Ajiki’s idea that “tea is a must with sweets,” the dough is infused with Assam tea extract powder. With just one bite, the rich aroma of tea wafts through, making you feel as if you’re enjoying an elegant tea time. Furthermore, a subtle saltiness has been added to the dough, calculated to further enhance the sweetness of the apples inside. This is no longer in the realm of a “steamed bun”; it can be called a legitimate warm dessert.
Product Details and Release Information
This noteworthy new product will go on sale from Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at approximately 16,400 FamilyMart stores nationwide. The price is an astonishing 200 yen (tax included) for one. It’s amazing that you can enjoy an authentic sweet, meticulously crafted by a world-champion pastry chef, at this price.
Furthermore, members of the FamilyMart app “FamiPay” will receive a special 20-yen-off coupon, available for a limited time from the release date until Monday, November 3, 2025. Why not take this opportunity to be one of the first to try it at a discount?
A New Delight Born from Japan’s Convenience Store Culture
Japanese convenience stores never cease to entertain visitors with new products appearing each season. Warm items, in particular, are a hallmark of autumn and winter. Until now, steamed buns have mainly featured meat or red bean paste fillings, but a gourmet-style “hot sweet” like this one shows the new possibilities of Japan’s convenience store culture. As a reward after work or a companion for your weekend coffee time, this “Apple Fromage with a Hint of Tea” is sure to bring a small luxury and warmth to your daily life.
If you have the chance to visit Japan this autumn, be sure to stop by your nearest FamilyMart. A world-class delicacy is waiting for you in the warm case next to the register. Experience the evolution and depth of Japanese convenience stores for yourself with this new-concept hot sweet that overturns the conventional image of a steamed bun.
中華まんの域を超えた!？秋の味覚を味わうあったかスイーツ世界No.1（※）パティシエ 安食雄二シェフ 監修第3弾！「紅茶香るアップルフロマージュ」を10月21日（火）から発売
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