For that Perfect Flat White in Japan!
Tucked into one of the lofty buildings in Gotanda, Tokyo, is a picturesque cafe called Hoshino Coffee. You might miss this place at first glance but a good coffee place always catches the eye of a coffee lover! Destiny wills it so!
In an array of shops, the facade of this cafe stands humble and welcomes you with hues of pastel shades. The doorway is lit by a faint yellow that splinters through the double ceiling from a charming chandelier. A stairway leads you on to the first floor, where a door opens to a vast expanse of a cozy cafe.
A dichotomy of silence and activity is ensconced within the 4 walls of this space. A section is for the office goers who rush in for a quick breakfast where as the other section is for people who wants to spend time with time.
Japan is a country known for its hospitality which percolates into open spaces of cafes, bus stops, railway stations and every nook and corner of the country. Hoshino coffee is no exception! The staff were more than happy to assist us with an “English Menu” and an array of breakfast options.
It would seem like there is an unspoken agreement between them and you and you are left in peace amongst books and chandeliers to make a morning that is amicable to your taste.
As we settled, the window panes revealed the light rain that is ever so characteristic of winters in Tokyo. The warmth of the yellow light lamps and walls laden with book shelves gave this cafe its way to cast a spell to stop time.
Huddled in an arm chair with books around, waiting for coffee against the backdrop of rain must be in the checklist of all travellers! So must be, Hoshino Coffee!
Patience is a virtue and in Hoshino Coffee it is rewarded by impeccable flat whites that are delicious. The coffee options are vast and the staff goes the extra mile, extensively through Google Translate to help you choose. We paired it with Souffle Pancakes which are, in all right, a rage across the world, and our morning became a treat!
Hoshino Coffee became our breakfast place for our entire duration of stay in Tokyo and we did not miss a chance to get into other outlets of theirs when chanced upon!
In time, we learned that Hoshino Coffee is a Hand-dripped coffee made from Arabica roasted coffee beans which are selected by coffee blend specialist, Master Kanno. It is a Japanese Milk coffee and has a strong coffee flavour to it. This makes Hoshino Coffee outlets a favorite destination for delicious Flat Whites!
On this day, as the world celebrates Flat Whites, I cannot help but reminisce Hoshino Coffee in all its flavor and splendor!
Melange 