Tag: Tokyo

A Taste of Oslo in Tokyo: Coffee at Fuglen Shibuya

Fuglen has been serving quality coffee in Oslo since 1963, and in 2012, it brought a little piece of Norway to Japan with the opening of its first Tokyo café. Today, there are two branches—Shibuya and Asakusa—and I stopped by the Shibuya location during a quiet morning in the city.

Fuglen Tokyo is a stylish and cozy café that blends Scandinavian design with Japanese hospitality. The vibe strikes the perfect balance between cozy Nordic minimalism and warm Japanese charm. I visited on a quiet morning, making it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a leisurely coffee.

The menu offers a wide variety of espresso-based drinks alongside pour-over coffee, tea, non-caffeinated beverages, and even cocktails later in the day.

I ordered a flat white with oat milk and Brunost on toast with butter. As someone who loves Brunost, this was an easy choice. The Norwegian brown cheese has a subtly sweet, caramel-like flavor that is unlike any other cheese. It was served on beautifully toasted bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. Paired with the smooth, well-balanced flat white, it made for the perfect breakfast.

If you’re looking for excellent coffee and a café with plenty of character, Fuglen is definitely worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

Fuglen Shibuya

1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan

A Charming Bakery Café in Roppongi, Tokyo

Located in Tokyo’s Roppongi district, Bricolage Bread & Co. came highly recommended by my hairstylist, who is a Tokyo local. I had also read that it is a popular bakery and that there can often be a queue, so I was pleasantly surprised when I visited around 9am on a weekday and was able to get a table immediately.

The bakery has a lovely location and a bright, welcoming atmosphere. Large glass windows fill the space with plenty of natural light. The breakfast menu and bakery selection are diverse, fresh, and beautifully presented.

There are three seating areas: the main indoor dining space, the terrace, and a smaller seating area near the bakery display. The main indoor area was already full during my visit and was quite noisy.

The ordering system was slightly confusing. The counter on the left side of the column is where you order your food and drinks. You will be given an electronic beeper and can then pick up your food from the next room, which is the main indoor dining area. Coffee orders are collected directly from the coffee bar, while the register on the right side of the column is mainly for takeaway bakery items.

The menu features a variety of breakfast favourites, including different types of toast with toppings, sandwiches with fillings such as avocado and pastrami, shakshuka, burgers, and several side dishes.

I ordered a flat white with oat milk, and I was pleasantly surprised by the coffee. It was bolder and had a richer flavour compared to many coffees I had tried in Japan, with a nice creamy foam texture that paired well with breakfast.

For food, I chose the corned beef eggs Benedict. The dish was beautifully presented, with a lovely balance of sweet, creamy, and tangy flavours. The eggs were complemented by the tender corned beef, and the bread underneath was soft, moist, and absorbed the sauce beautifully without becoming soggy.

Overall, Bricolage Bread & Co. was a lovely breakfast stop in Roppongi. With its bright atmosphere, quality food, and beautiful bakery selection, it is easy to see why it is popular among both locals and visitors.

Bricolage bread & co.

Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome−15−1 けやき坂テラス 1F

Hearty Gomtang at OKDONGSIK

 

After a full day of exploring Tokyo, I was craving something simple and comforting—ideally close to my hotel. A quick scroll through Google Maps led me to OKDONGSIK, a modest Korean spot specializing in dweji gomtang (clear pork soup), exactly what I had in mind. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully especially at night—the signage is quite subtle.

Originally founded in Seoul in 2017, OKDONGSIK has since expanded internationally, with locations in cities like Tokyo, New York, and Paris.

The menu is focused and straightforward, offering three portion sizes and a small selection of side dishes. I went with the classic pork soup: the broth was clean, warming, and deeply comforting without feeling heavy. The pork slices were tender, with a nice balance of lean meat and fat.

Overall, it was a satisfying, no-frills meal—perfect if you’re in the area and looking for something simple and hearty.

OKDONGSIK

44-10 Yanghwa-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Creamy Indulgence at Pierre Hermé Marunouchi

Located along Marunouchi Naka-Dori Avenue, Made in Pierre Hermé Marunouchi is a beautiful café with a sleek, elegant, and inviting interior—perfect for a relaxed yet refined treat.

The menu offers a wide variety of soft serve toppings, along with coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even alcohol. There’s also an impressive selection of sweets, including cakes, tarts, cookies, macarons, chocolates, and baked goods. In addition, you’ll find thoughtfully curated food products from different regions, such as pickles, jams, rice, mayonnaise, and seaweed. For something more savory, light meals like delicatessen dishes and sandwiches are also available.

I tried the soft serve with espresso and caramel nuts. The ice cream was incredibly creamy and smooth, melting effortlessly in your mouth. The espresso added a slightly bitter richness with a roasted, almost chocolatey depth, while the caramel nuts brought a hint of toasted warmth and a satisfying nutty crunch.

It’s like an affogato meets a caramel sundae—absolutely delicious.

Made in Pierre Hermé Marunouchi

Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 3 Chome−2−3 二重橋スクエア 1F

A Surprise Find at Ramen Shiina

My friend and I had originally planned to visit a well-known udon spot in Shinjuku, but with a wait time of over two hours, we decided to wander the neighborhood instead in search of something else. That’s when we stumbled upon Ramen Shiina—a modest chicken ramen shop that was simple, clean, with friendly staff and prompt service.

The menu offers four main options: shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), a rich, thick chicken broth, and dry noodles served with a dipping sauce.

We didn’t expect much at first—but from the very first sip, we were blown away. It easily ranks among the best ramen I’ve had. I ordered the thick chicken soup, while my friend chose the shoyu. We asked for our noodles to be cooked a little softer than al dente, and they came out perfectly to our liking.

The shoyu broth was light yet deeply savory, layered with umami. The thick chicken soup, on the other hand, was rich and creamy with a depth of flavor that lingered in the best way. Both bowls were incredibly satisfying. The chicken was tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with a subtle hint of smokiness. The dumplings were the perfect finishing touch—well-seasoned, juicy, and comforting.

A hidden gem we almost overlooked, but one we’ll definitely be coming back to.

Ramen Shiina

Japan, 〒160-0004 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Yotsuya, 4 Chome−30−15 市川ビル 1F

Matcha Café in Shibuya

A stylish, minimalist matcha café in Shibuya, Hatoya is popular spot with foreign tourists. The staff spoke English and were friendly, which made ordering easy. The open seating layout gives the space a modern, airy feel and would be perfect in warmer weather. Unfortunately, I visited in winter, and sitting on the cement seats made it quite chilly — cushions or seat mats would have been a thoughtful addition.

The café offers a variety of matcha options with different flavor profiles, allowing you to choose based on intensity and taste preference. In addition to matcha, they also serve hojicha, black tea, ice cream, and a small selection of desserts.

I ordered a hot matcha latte and matcha ice cream. I was really looking forward to the matcha, but it ended up being a bit disappointing. The matcha latte was quite light and tasted more of milk than matcha, lacking the depth and slight bitterness I usually enjoy. The ice cream had a bold matcha taste, which I enjoyed, but the texture was crumbly and slightly icy rather than smooth and creamy. The glutinous rice balls, however, were soft and chewy — easily the best part of the dessert.

Overall, it’s a beautiful space with friendly service and a strong concept, but the flavors didn’t quite live up to the aesthetic for me.

Hatoya Shibuya

Japan, 〒150-0047 Tokyo, Shibuya, Kamiyamacho, 3−8 AISKビル 1階