Gong

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a fragrance, but this one felt worth returning for. This scent takes me back to my childhood, to visits to the funfair. I remember small stands selling treats and drinks, and every time I walked past them, I would catch a soft, pleasant cloud of sweetness in the air. That is exactly what this fragrance evokes for me. That said, this is by no means a "playful" scent — the association is purely nostalgic and deeply personal. Coming from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy overly sweet fragrances, I would still describe it as a gourmand, though in a very restrained and elegant way. The dorayaki note is softened and lifted by bright citrus accents of yuzu and mandarin, which remain present and give the composition its distinctive clarity. The overall impression is that of a sweet, oriental cup of tea — warm yet airy, serene and meditative. There is a quiet, almost ritualistic quality to it. This is a fragrance meant to rest in my collection and be worn sparingly. I have no desire to turn it into a daily or office scent, as that would diminish the joy it brings me. This is for moments of calm, solitude, meditation, and introspection — when inspiration feels genuine. I rarely get impressed by fragrances. I am not drawn to “pretty” scents, nor am I interested in compliments. What I seek are fragrances that awaken nostalgia, stir emotions and evoke memories. This to me is one of them.

Gong by Floraïku is a fragrance that stirs the senses from the very first moment😍 It opens with a juicy burst of Italian mandarin and vibrant yuzu. A sunny citrus cocktail with a hint of piquant pink pepper. This sparkling freshness gently gives way to a sweet and cozy heart: think candy-like notes, enveloping benzoin, and the warm, slightly spicy character of Siam paired with black pepper- like an exquisite oriental delicacy. The base is warm and comforting, with creamy sandalwood, velvety amber, and dry vetiver, creating an addictive trail you’ll want to breathe in over and over. This scent evokes a soft morning wrapped in luxurious silk kimono- calm, refined, and elegant. It’s versatile, yet full of character and unfolds in beautiful multi-layered transitions.

i got a couple samples from floraiku and to be honest i'm regretting getting so many damn citrus ones because i think i've discovered i don't like citrus notes. so when i saw this one i was prepared to really detest it, since i'm also picky about woody smells. but it has a really wonderful almost ginger-y quality. it really really smells like tea!

A wonderful fruity gourmand that reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on...I just know it's a happy scent memory and it makes me want to buy it. Update: so I did buy a bottle and I LOVE this. It's so hard to describe, but it's a bit fruity, a bit sweet, and with a really creamy woody note, but extremely sophisticated.

My favorite Floraiku perfume, love at first sight. The mix of sweet and citrus notes is just so lovely. I guess it's becoming a victim of its success as I started hearing it in different parts of the city, you can't confuse it with anything else. I hope they will roll out a 100ml bottle.

Gong is a gourmand with grace. Sweet, but never sticky. Opening with a sparkling whisper of yuzu and mandarin, then settles into a refined warmth of a tea-ceremony. Effortlessly chic, subtly indulgent, polished luxury. A chic respectful gourmand.

Oh, how I love this fragrance! Gong is citrusy without being sharp, sweet but not nauseating and woody but not dry. Pure perfection! To me its in the same category as Musk Therapy, however very different. Gong smells like meditation to me.

Dominant Notes: Yuzu, Dorayaki (red bean paste) Secondary Notes: Mandarin, Benzoin, Pink Pepper Nonexistent Notes: Sandalwood, Guaiac, Vetiver I love anko (sweet Azuki red bean paste) and all Japanese pastries overall, I was blown away when I smelled it for the first time. I don't particularly like citrus, but the exotic, volcanic and bitter Yuzu here is immediately overpowered by the Dorayaki note (which I love to eat). Contrasting, sparkling, and spicy (impressions of ginger or cardamom), it embodies the freshness of a fragrant and light breeze, a quiet afternoon in Kyoto... This anko creates a "gourmand" yet subtle trail, both harmonious and refined. A scent that's all too unusual in perfumery, yet familiar to those who have tasted the delicacy of Japanese desserts. A pleasant and delicate dimensional fragrance, dominated by citrus notes.

Honestly, overall, I'm left a little undewhelmed by this one. It has a truly beautiful, fresh fruity-floral opening that quickly softens into gentle woods with a touch of pepper. Those stages are quiet and calm, and genuinely very lovely! Sadly though.. really sadly.. on my skin, the dry down lands ultimately as fairly generic woody type skin scent with minimal projection. Definitely worth sampling, but for me that will be as far as it goes.

This is a very elegant orange Tic-Tac. If you love this but can’t afford it, I highly recommend Lolita Lempicka’s Green Lover (marketed to men but imo feminine-leaning unisex) - it has damn near exactly the same vibe!

Soooo cute!!! Literally yuzu flavored dorayaki. Citrus fresh, sweet, adorable (:

I will just start off by saying these bottles are truly stunning. But based on my horrific experience with One Umbrella For Two (horrible synthetic scent), I knew I can't blind buy this. This one is not nearly as bad, but it reminds me of christmas. Citrus and christmas bread. I detect no Yuzu, just weird synthetic citrus note. And I love Yuzu. I love it in my drinks, I love it in my desserts and I love it in my food. Thank god I sampled first because this is not the Yuzu fragrance for me.

I just can't believe the hype?? What is this? It's absolutely so "non-special", I'm almost in schock. At least with this pricepoint. A total disappointment. I don't hate it, 'cause there's nothing to hate. It's just a perfume full of nothing. Edit; I've changed my mind. It's quite nasty 🤢 There's a smell I really can't put my finger on. A harsh, metallic smell that makes me sick to the stomach.

Wow! I agree with the reviewer below me. This is such a beautiful take on a fresh tea scent. The opening reminds me of a 5 star hotel lobby. Lots of yuzu making for a fresh uplifting scent with some spice and the amber and dorayaki accords bring it together for an overall clean, fresh, citrus, slightly spicy and creamy gourmand tea scent that is addicting to smell. It’s delicious smelling without smelling like actual food, totally wearable. I absolutely love it! Moderate performance like all others I’ve tried from this brand. Not a huge projection, more of an “in your bubble” type of scent but above a skin scent. Edit: I still think this smells absolutely delicious and although it’s not a full gourmand, it’s a bit too gourmand for me to want to wear all the time. It gets more gourmand as it dries down. I’m not a big gourmand girly personally so but this one is still very nice!

This is my favorite Floraiku. I’m not a big fan of citrus fragrances but Gong is lovely. The Dorayaki adds that much needed contrast that I find citrus fragrances desperately need. It adds a touch of sweetness without getting anywhere close to gourmand territory; it still remains a refreshing and serene spa-like scent throughout its journey.

It smells extremely high quality like most florikus but I would say it isn’t really for me. If you have ever had a limoncello lacrox that is the best way I could describe it. I thought limoncello the second I sprayed it. It doesn’t have the gong or like samurai smell like on the name and packaging you would expect more a creamy lemon treat

For me this is in the same ballpark as Winter Palace, Dolce Amalfi and Sun-Gria. They all have that combination of citrus fruits, spices and resins/balms that make them smell a bit bubblegummy. I love Dolce Amalfi, like Winter Palace and Gong and dislike Sun-Gria because of the synthetic drydown.

This is the best citrus gourmand I have ever tried. Just omg blew my mind. Perfume consultant told me that this is new, yuzu + tea. I did not expect this goddess of a perfume. You have to put Your nose on it! It is somehow creamy, citrusy, gourmandish, but so wearable and just amazing!

The combination of notes is admirable, but together this is really just a non descript jumble. There is yuzu, the sweetness of a pancake, and maybe a trace of benzoin, but nothing that is memorable.

i am excited to try this. The dorayaki accord 😍

I get the citrusy in the opening