01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Stepping through the door of Otsu Coffee (乙コーヒー), set along the approach to Kanda Myojin, leads into a tranquil, traditional townhouse-style cafe space that feels comfortably removed from the bustle outside. A primary draw here is pairing a carefully brewed coffee with one of the shop's house-made sweets. The signature Otsu Blend comes in two roasts: No. 1, a dark roast that brings out a full-bodied bitterness, and No. 2, a medium roast defined by gentle acidity, allowing guests to choose according to their taste. The single-origin straight coffees clearly categorize roast levels and profiles, ranging from a medium-roast Guatemala with rich acidity and sweetness to a mellow Colombian, a fruity and bitter Ethiopian, and an aromatic Mandheling with distinct bitterness.
The house-specialty cheesecake is noted for a melt-in-the-mouth consistency as smooth as custard pudding. Subtle in sweetness yet deeply rich, it finishes cleanly and pairs harmoniously with the robust bitterness of a dark roast. Other desserts include a rich chocolate cake and summer-only coffee jelly, with the option to add ice cream according to preference.
When hunger strikes between meals, the selection of toast dishes offers dependable sustenance. Toasted crisp and fragrant, the pizza toast combines melted cheese with the tang of tomato sauce for a classic kissaten plate. Choosing sweet-scented maple toast or a simple buttered toast alongside coffee makes for an equally indulgent pause.
Drink choices extend beyond coffee to pot-brewed black teas like Darjeeling and Assam, spiced ginger chai, rum chai, and a crisp house-made ginger ale. Whether visiting before or after paying respects at the shrine, stopping in for a favourite drink and a modest baked sweet offers an unhurried interlude.
