NOUBUTAI

Opening its doors at 7:00, NOUBUTAI serves thoughtful morning service sets ideal for starting the day well. Alongside the classic pairing of toast and boiled egg, options include the practical C Set—a neatly halved, easy-to-eat hot dog paired with an egg and coffee. Condiments like salt and Tabasco sit ready on the tables, allowing diners to season each bite to taste while easing into the morning over a cup of freshly brewed hot coffee.

Come midday, the spotlight shifts to lunch sets featuring nostalgic, quintessential Japanese cafe standards. The hearty Napolitan spaghetti is a firm favorite, accompanied on the menu by savory, melted pizza toast, mixed pilaf quickly tossed in a deep skillet, and comforting Japanese curry rice. Meals come paired with a choice of coffee or tea, with options extending beyond the house blend to single-origin brews like Mocha Mattari and Mandheling.

For an afternoon break or something sweet, the house-made coffee jelly pairs bitter roasted notes with cool vanilla ice cream, alongside traditional dessert-parlor fare like cream anmitsu. Deeper inside than its streetfront entrance suggests, the cafe arranges counter and table seating with comfortable spacing. Smoking is permitted throughout, creating a welcoming spot for smokers, and payment is cash only.