Berkeley's 'UJI Time' To Bring Instagram-Friendly Desserts To Japantown

Berkeley's 'UJI Time' To Bring Instagram-Friendly Desserts To JapantownMatcha soft-serve on taiyaki. | Photo: Gavin M./Yelp
Fiona Lee
Published on March 17, 2017

Berkeley's popular dessert joint UJI Time will soon be crossing the bay, with a new branch opening up in Japantown's Peace Plaza complex.

An UJI Time employee in Berkeley confirmed the expansion, which will bring UJI Time's signature Japanese desserts—soft-serve ice cream, parfaits, mochi, and taiyaki (traditional fish-shaped pastries stuffed with either red bean paste or Nutella)—to San Francisco. 

Interior of UJI Time on Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue | Photo: UJI Time/Facebook

In Berkeley, Yelpers have raved about UJI Time's modern take on Japanese sweets, including mochi ice cream in 12 different flavors (ranging from lychee colada to sesame) and the Instagram-friendly matcha or black sesame soft serve in a taiyaki cone.

Indeed, when the Berkeley branch first opened last year, the taiyaki soft-serve drew trend-seekers from around the Bay Area, with long lines of customers patiently waiting for each taiyaki to be painstakingly made by the staff. (The situation was alleviated when the shop ordered another grill, to keep the fish-shaped treats coming all day.)

Thanks @sandreet_ for dinner, a treat & good company as always ❤#parfaittoast

A post shared by amina | 亜美菜 🌼 (@amina_) on

According to its business registration, UJI Time would take over the space currently occupied by boba cafe Mitsu Teahouse, known for another photogenic dessert: bubble tea topped with cotton candy. (Hoodline has reached out to Mitsu for comment, and will update accordingly if they respond.)

While an opening date hasn't been determined yet, the employee in Berkeley said the shop is eyeing a soft opening in mid-April.