Korea's Hottest "3rd Hybrid Croissant" After Cronuts and Croffles, "Crochi," Lands in Jiyugaoka

Saint Marc Holdings Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Headquarters: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President & CEO: Yuki Fujikawa) announced that on Monday, June 15, 2026, "RISTRETTO & CROISSANT LABORATORIO" (hereinafter R&CL) in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo, will begin selling two types of "Crochi," a hybrid croissant originating from Korea that combines croissants and mochi. These will be available as selectable options for R&CL's popular "Slider Croissant" menu.

R&CL serves as a "laboratory" for the Saint Marc Group to explore the potential of croissants, researching and developing experimental croissant specialty store concepts covering texture, manufacturing methods, and serving styles. It opened in October 2023 in Jiyugaoka, a highly competitive area for croissants.

"Crochi" is an evolved croissant originating from Korea, characterized by its combination of croissant and mochi (rice cake), notably using the Japanese word "mochi" in its name. It features the fragrant crispiness of a croissant on the outside and the chewy elasticity of mochi on the inside. This novel texture has become a topic of conversation, particularly in Korean cafes. In recent years, evolved croissants based on the croissant, such as "Cronuts" and "Croffles," have become a global trend. Crochi is gaining attention as a new evolution in this trend and is gradually being offered in more stores across Japan.

R&CL offers the popular "Slider Croissant" menu, where customers can choose four mini croissants from a selection to enjoy a comparative tasting of various flavors. For this launch, "Crochi Chocolat" and "Crochi Matcha" have been added as new choices. By combining the light texture and chewy elasticity of croissants with the unique characteristics of each ingredient, a new and unprecedented croissant experience has been created.

Furthermore, to allow customers to spend more relaxed time at the store, R&CL will introduce a "Coffee & Tea Free" service on weekdays. Customers who order eligible set menus can enjoy unlimited refills of selected coffees and teas for up to two hours for an additional charge. R&CL has always valued delivering "a slightly better than usual" moment to customers through freshly baked croissants and carefully selected drinks. The introduction of Coffee & Tea Free aims to enable customers to enjoy their time at the store more freely and leisurely.

Crochi: A New Texture Coexisting Crispy and Chewy

Crochi Chocolat

Uses 58% cocoa couverture chocolate.

A rich flavor that layers the chewy texture unique to Crochi with a deep, robust cacao taste.

Crochi Matcha

Combines the rich aroma and elegant bitterness of Nishio matcha with flavorful sweet red bean paste made from Hokkaido-grown adzuki beans.

A dish where matcha and sweet red bean paste harmonize for a Japanese-inspired flavor.

Enjoy a Relaxing Cafe Time with Croissants

Weekday Limited "Coffee & Tea Free"

Available for an additional charge when ordering eligible set menus.

【Eligible Drinks】

・Long Black (HOT/ICE)

・Iced Tea

・Organic Earl Grey Tea (HOT)

・Organic English Breakfast (HOT)

・Organic Rooibos (HOT)

・Jasmine Tea (HOT)

・Apple Tea (HOT)

R&CL will continue to develop products inspired by flavors, food cultures, and traditional ingredients from various countries and regions. By fusing diverse culinary backgrounds into the single form of a croissant, they aim to offer products that provide surprise and discovery with every visit. They strive to continuously pursue new possibilities for croissants and aim to become a "new standard" for croissant lovers.

Store Information

RISTRETTO & CROISSANT LABORATORIO

The store name originates from the desire to pursue and research a space enveloped in rich aromas, starting with freshly baked croissants and the luxurious "Magic" latte extracted using ristretto (a method of espresso extraction).

Address: JIYUGAOKA de aone 2F, 2-15-4 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

2-minute walk from the Front Exit of Jiyugaoka Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line and Oimachi Line

Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Seating Capacity: 39 indoor seats, 19 terrace seats (Total 58 seats). Pets are allowed only on terrace seats.

Official Website: https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/jigyokaihatsu/contents/RandCL/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ristretto_croissantlaboratorio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551151709686

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/randcl

Company Profile

Company Name: Saint Marc Holdings Co., Ltd.

Location: 4F Kyoto Mitsui Building, 8 Naginata-boko-cho, Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Representative: Yuki Fujikawa

Established: July 1991

URL: https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/hd/

Business Description: Management of subsidiaries engaged in businesses such as restaurants and cafes, including franchise chain systems.

【Inquiries Regarding This Matter】

Hikaru Iida, Corporate Communications Office, Saint Marc Holdings Co., Ltd.

Tel: 03-6823-9392

E-mail: [email protected]