“We love colour, but we’re not as sweet as we look!” declares Sara Hochuli, the owner and creative force behind Miyuko. Located in Zurich’s Old Town, the Japanese-inspired cafe and tearoom is renowned for its indulgent breakfast options and afternoon teas. “We source our teas directly from a small farmer in Japan,” adds Dominik Grenzler, her partner and Miyuko’s head barista, who crafts expertly brewed coffees and delicate Japanese teas to complement Sara’s light mousse creations. It’s her vividly decorated layer cakes, however, that truly steal the spotlight (bottom left). A trained graphic designer and sugar artist, Sara draws inspiration in her designs from the stylised art of manga, while her flavours carry a distinct Japanese touch — think matcha, sesame and yuzu. These cakes can be custom-ordered, with decorations that go far beyond fondant flowers, ranging from animals and cartoon- style characters to entire landscapes.