Coffee Shop Time

For a proper meal in the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere of a Japanese cafe, Coffee Shop Time in Mukojima is a reassuring choice. Pasta is a particular strength, especially the squid and mentaiko, or pollock roe, spaghetti, a richly flavoured dish that has been enjoyed for years. There is plenty more to choose from: mushroom and bacon or clam and mushroom spaghetti, each available with salt, miso or tomato sauce, as well as squid with natto and carbonara. The range spans Japanese and Western flavours.

The choices extend well beyond noodles, with hearty set meals and lighter options featuring on the menu too. Alongside tender hamburger steak and ginger pork set meals, there are familiar cafe-style Western dishes: dry curry with a spicy flavour, raisins and scrambled egg, plus shrimp doria and spaghetti gratin. Some lunchtime sets come with miso soup or a drink, making for a satisfying meal without any fuss.

For a cafe break, the drinks include hot lemonade with restrained sweetness and a bright, refreshing tartness, Wiener coffee, cream soda and shakes. Inside, a mahjong game table adds a note of Showa-era nostalgia to the calm atmosphere, and the cafe is comfortable for solo diners too. Payment is cash only, so it is worth having some on hand before you stop by.