Scouting Report: J.Sweets at Mitsuwa Marketplace

Name of shop: J.Sweets, inside Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance. It’s actually a conglomerate of different brands located in one section of the store. They are: Mochi Cream, Minamoto Kitchoan, Yoku Moku, Kobe Fugetsudo, Rokumeikan, Kyo-Hayashiya, Boul’Mich.

Chef: The confectionery shop is operated by Jalux Americas. It imports sweets directly from various Japanese vendors.

What products represent the shop, and why?

Usagi from Minamoto Kitchoan: They’re limited edition, miniature pastries shaped like rabbits and stuffed with bean paste and yuzu. They come in gift sets; each box has 10 little bunnies, neatly arranged. It’s $28 for a set and they’re almost sold out for the year.

Hakuto jelly from Minamoto Kitchoan: The seasonal dessert is made from Hakuto white peaches from the Okayama prefecture. It’s in jelly form, shaped like a peach, and wrapped in delicate paper, as if the peach were made out of precious jewels. It might as well be; the product retails for $39 for three pieces.

Kingyo from Minamoto Kitchoan: A spherical, jelly dessert fashioned so that it looks like a pair of goldfish are swimming around in it. While gimmicky, it definitely makes for a great conversation starter. It’s $4.80 for one piece.

Mochi doughnuts from Mochi Cream: Doughnut-shaped mochi of assorted flavors stuffed with sweet cream. Flavor combinations include green tea and café au lait. We dare you to collect them all.

Concept: Visit J.Sweets for a comprehensive cross-section of Japan’s desserts. Its range of sweet treats is impressive. It has regional specialties like mitarashi dango (sweet rice dumpling) from Osaka and a lot of items that incorporate seasonal fruits like the suikanshuku – dried persimmons injected with white bean paste and coated red.

Appropriate for... Holiday shopping. Everything is thoughtfully packaged so you won’t have to worry about making an extra stop for gift-wrapping paper.

Uh-oh... Quite a few of the selections are seasonal and come around only once a year. Tip: The kingyo and usagi are almost sold out.

Who is shopping around you? Locals looking for quirky desserts to give as gifts to their friends or the curious, who are drawn into the store by all the pretty, pastel colors.

Service: Polite and accommodating. Helpful, only when asked. They don’t hover – which is always a relief.

J.Sweet Torrance Store, 21515 Western Ave., Torrance, (inside Mitsuwa Marketplace), (310) 328-8333, www.jsweetsstore.com. Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.