From Expo 2025 Osaka to Japanese homes
Something remarkable happened at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Inside the Portugal Pavilion, a small golden tart – the Portuguese egg tart, known in Portugal as the pastel de nata – began attracting attention from visitors across Japan. Flaky, creamy, and rooted in centuries of Portuguese pastry tradition, it quickly became one of the most talked-about desserts of the event.
Day after day, visitors formed lines to taste the pastel de nata, Portugal’s most iconic pastry.

More than 2.000 tarts were sold daily, with peak days reaching 2,500 units. Many visitors returned for a second taste. Others shared the discovery on social media, turning the Portuguese custard tart into one of the unexpected culinary highlights of the pavilion.
The egg tart they were tasting was produced by Nata Pura.
And as of 11 March 2026, the same Portuguese egg tarts that delighted visitors at Expo Osaka are now available in the frozen section of Costco Wholesale warehouses across Japan, with Costco Korea coming soon.
For the first time, Japanese consumers can enjoy authentic Portuguese custard tarts at home.
A pastry with centuries of history
The pastel de nata is one of Portugal’s most famous pastries.
Its origins date back more than 300 years, when monks in Portuguese monasteries created recipes using egg yolks left over from other culinary processes.
The result was a pastry unlike any other:
- a crisp, laminated puff pastry shell
- a rich and creamy custard filling
- a caramelised top with characteristic dark spots (a natural result of caramelisation and a hallmark of authentic pastéis de nata)
Over time, the Portuguese custard tart became a symbol of Portuguese gastronomy and one of the country’s most recognisable desserts.
Today, it is increasingly enjoyed far beyond Portugal.
Why the pastel de nata resonates in Japan
The enthusiastic response at Expo Osaka revealed something important: the Portuguese custard tart fits naturally within Japanese food culture.
Japanese consumers are known for their appreciation of:
- craftsmanship and technique
- balanced flavours
- attention to texture
- culinary authenticity
The pastel de nata combines all of these elements.
Crisp pastry layers contrast with smooth custard. The slightly caramelised top adds depth of flavour. And the product itself carries centuries of culinary tradition.
It is a pastry that feels both new and familiar at the same time.
The reception at Expo – where batches sold out within hours – confirmed that Japanese consumers respond strongly to this combination of tradition and quality.
From the Portugal Pavilion to Costco Japan
Following the success at Expo 2025 Osaka, Nata Pura’s pastéis de nata are now available in Costco Wholesale Japan, making it easier than ever for consumers to experience this iconic Portuguese dessert.
The 12-unit Original pack allows customers to enjoy the product at home while preserving the traditional characteristics that define the pastel de nata.
Thanks to modern freezing technology, the tarts are blast-frozen at peak quality, preserving flavour and texture until baking.
From freezer to toaster oven, they are ready in under 15 minutes, delivering the same sensory experience associated with freshly baked Portuguese custard tarts.
A recipe rooted in tradition
Each Nata Pura egg tart is produced in Portugal using a recipe inspired by the historic monastic origins of the pastel de nata.
The philosophy behind the product is simple:
- clean-label formulation
- natural ingredients only
- no preservatives
- no artificial additives
- no powdered ingredients
This commitment ensures that what consumers taste reflects the authenticity of traditional Portuguese pastry.
Once baked, the tart reveals its defining characteristics: a flaky puff pastry shell and a creamy custard centre topped with the signature caramelised finish.
The world’s most awarded pastel de nata
Over the years, Nata Pura has become one of the most internationally recognised brands dedicated to Portuguese egg tarts.
Among its distinctions are:
- Great Taste Award 2020 (UK)
- Superior Taste Award 2023 – International Taste Institute
- Monde Selection Award 2025
The brand’s production facilities are also certified under BRC, IFS, and Halal standards, supporting international distribution across a growing number of markets.
A natural step in a long relationship
Portugal and Japan share a historical connection dating back to the 16th century, when Portuguese sailors became the first Europeans to reach Japan.
This encounter left lasting traces in language, culture, and gastronomy.
Expo 2025 Osaka celebrated this historic relationship. The arrival of Portuguese custard tarts in Japanese retail marks another chapter in that story, bringing a traditional Portuguese product into everyday life for Japanese consumers.
Discover Portuguese egg tarts at Costco Japan
What began as a culinary discovery at Expo Osaka is now becoming part of daily life.
With Nata Pura pastéis de nata now available at Costco Japan, consumers can experience the flavour of one of Portugal’s most beloved pastries from the comfort of their homes.
Warm from the oven or toaster oven in just minutes, the Portuguese custard tart continues its journey from Lisbon’s historic bakeries to kitchens around the world.
And in Japan, that journey is only just beginning.










