I’d been wanting to try Edo Cheesecake for a LONG time, so when I spotted them at Ekiben’s Night Market, they were one of my very first stops. Short answer: the hype’s so well deserved. Edo makes a Japanese-Basque hybrid cheesecake, which basically means you get the best of both worlds, the torched, caramelized top of a Basque cheesecake and the light, custardy softness of a Japanese one.
Their team generously gifted us a slice and some tea to enjoy, and one bite in, I got it! It’s unbelievably creamy and rich, but not too, too sweet, which made it easy to keep going back for more bites. If you’re a Baltimore sweets person who somehow hasn’t tried Edo yet, consider this your sign. I’ve barely scratched the surface of their menu, and I already can’t wait to try more.
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Edo Cheesecake a Standout Dessert in Baltimore
Here’s the backstory: Edo was started by Shawn Zhu and Gasper Lyu, two Johns Hopkins business-school students who took their love of cheesecake and turned it into a whole thing. Instead of picking Japanese OR Basque, they leaned into a hybrid, using less cream cheese and more egg so the result bakes up with a burnished top and a silky, almost molten center.
You might’ve even caught them going viral last summer with a Leonardo DiCaprio parody video that racked up over 24 million views and sold out a pop-up in under an hour. But the real reason they’re worth knowing is the range: they run 17-plus flavors, so this isn’t a one-note cheesecake situation. It’s a genuinely creative little operation, and you can taste the care that goes into it.
What to Order at Edo Cheesecake
The Japanese-Basque Cheesecake
This is the one I actually tried, and it’s the one to start with. That torched top gives it a subtle caramelized edge, and the inside’s so creamy and custardy it basically melts. There’s no crust either, just creamy filling all the way through. What sold me is the balance: it’s rich and satisfying, so one slice hits the spot without being overwhelming. If you’ve only ever had dense cheesecake, this is a completely different (and honestly delish) experience.
The Golden Lava Cheesecake
This is their viral signature, the one with a molten, lava-like center, and it’s next on my list (Deke’s birthday’s coming up and cheesecake’s his favorite, so I may need to preorder one). I haven’t tried it yet, but from what I’ve heard it’s unreal, and it serves around 4 to 6, so it’s built for sharing or gifting.
The Flavor Lineup
With 17-plus flavors on rotation, there’s truly something for everyone. You’ll find creme brulee with a torched sugar top, Biscoff, taro, matcha, Oreo, strawberry, pistachio, and earl grey, among others. Small whole cakes run around $45, or you can grab a slice to sample before you commit to a whole one. For a group, picking two or three flavors and doing a little tasting sounds like the play.
What Is Japanese-Basque Cheesecake?
Quick dessert lesson, because it’s actually kind of fascinating. A Basque cheesecake is baked hot and fast, so it comes out crustless with a dark, crackly, caramelized top and a soft, custardy middle. A Japanese cheesecake is the opposite vibe: baked low and slow into a light, airy, cotton-soft texture that’s barely sweet. Edo’s hybrid splits the difference, less cream cheese and more egg than a classic Basque, so you get that signature caramelized top with an extra-fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth center. That’s the whole magic of it!
How to Get Your Hands on One
Edo isn’t a sit-down cafe, it runs out of La Chow Shared Kitchen, a big food incubator in Little Italy. The easiest way to order is to preorder on their website for pickup, catch them at markets like Ekiben’s Night Market, or grab local delivery. Whole cakes come boxed in a custom oxblood package that looks like a gift before you even wrap it, which is exactly why I’m eyeing one for a birthday. Just know they’ve been shifting how they sell, so check their site for the latest pickup details before you go.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 210 S Central Ave, inside La Chow Shared Kitchen, Baltimore (Little Italy)
- What it is: a Japanese-Basque hybrid cheesecake maker with 17-plus flavors
- How to buy: preorder on their website for pickup, local delivery, or catch them at markets like Ekiben’s Night Market
- Price: small whole cakes around $45, also sold by the slice
- Signature: the Golden Lava Cheesecake, which serves about 4 to 6
- Packaging: whole cakes come in a custom oxblood box, so they make a great gift
- Good for: a dessert lover, a birthday cake, or a treat-yourself moment
Is Edo Cheesecake Worth The Splurge?
YES! That one gifted slice lived up to every bit of the hype, creamy and rich and not too sweet, and it left me wanting to work through the whole flavor list. It’s the kind of dessert worth preordering, whether you’re treating yourself or bringing something special to a celebration. If you love a Baltimore sweet spot, my Buns & Roses chimney cakes pick is another fun one to add to the list.
Have you guys tried Edo yet, or is there a Baltimore dessert I need to get on ASAP? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and send this to your favorite cheesecake lover so you can plan a little tasting together.