Japanese pastry shop Fulfilled is open in Beverly Hills

Fulfilled Japanese Pastries opens today. Owner Susumu Tsuchihashi reimagines the imagawa-yaki, small griddled cakes traditionally filled with sweet red beans and often served at Japanese outdoor festivals from street stalls.

Tsuchihashi's shop is more resplendent -- shiny black granite counters, glass cases, mirrored walls and cabinets and a chandelier -- as befits its Beverly Hills location. There's a touch of wabi-sabi (rustic elegance) -- a few logs for stools are the only seating. The imagawa-yaki (here they're called just ima) are griddled up near the window, for the benefit of passersby, best served up hot. 

Tsuchihashi's modern flavors include: Nutella and banana; Ghirardelli chocolate with toffee and crunchy peanut butter; and strawberry with cream cheese and white chocolate. Savory imas are filled with chicken apple sausage and pepper Jack cheese or Mission figs with goat cheese, walnuts and cracked pepper.

Fulfilled Japanese Pastries, 9405 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

-- Betty Hallock

Photos courtesy of Fulfilled Japanese Pastries