As I was wandering around looking for lunch as usual, I came across a dense little forest.
When I got closer, I saw a sign and thought, “Hmm? Is this a flower shop?” but
turns out it’s actually a café!
Wow, that’s quite a bold exterior.
It’s practically sticking out into the street.
Next to it is a magnificent traditional townhouse-style wall, which creates a striking contrast.
It’s located on Miyukicho-dori, heading south from Nijo.
As for the nearest station, it’s “Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station,” about a 4-minute walk away.
Wow, it really does look like a forest.
It’s like a café straight out of a picture book.
This looks so relaxing.
I was thinking, “This café is really picturesque,”
and sure enough, I heard it was used as a filming location for the NHK drama *The Secret Pleasures of Kyoto People*.
No wonder they couldn’t pass it up.
The interior is truly magical, too.
Beneath the floor-standing glass, there’s a glass container that looks like an aquarium, and inside it is a moss bonsai.
It really does feel like I’ve stepped into the world of a picture book.
I can just imagine the frog shopkeeper popping out any minute now and saying, “Welcome!”
It’s got a bit of Haruki Murakami vibe to it.
The speakers in the back are retro too, but they have a high-end feel that suggests they’d produce a gentle, soothing sound.
I don’t think they serve alcohol at this café, but I could easily get carried away by the atmosphere.
The huge amp—or is it a speaker?—really commands the room.
The attention to detail and unique style are incredible.
Even the chairs and tables are surprisingly sturdy and solid, giving the place a sense of stability.
The sunlight on a sunny day doesn’t reach this far inside, so the interior is as dark as a cave.
But that darkness actually creates a nice, calm atmosphere.
Now, onto lunch. Everything on the menu that day was 700 yen,
Brown Rice Curry with Ground Meat and Green Peas
Brown Rice Curry with Walnuts and Cashews
Brown Rice Curry with Pumpkin and Chicken
Brown Rice Fried Rice with Shiso and Dried Baby Sardines in Thick Sauce
Brown Rice Fried Rice with Takana (Pickled Mustard Greens)
Brown Rice Fried Rice with Bacon
Homemade Bread and Sandwiches (Choose 2 from the list below for 700 yen)
BLT
Egg and Cream Cheese
Avocado, Lettuce, and Tomato
Chickpea Paste
That’s all.
Hmm, it’s listed at the top, so I guess the brown rice curry is the recommended choice, but
I’m just not in the mood for it today.
So, after agonizing over it, I went with the brown rice fried rice with bacon.
Yes, the fried rice comes with a salad and soup.
Given the atmosphere of this restaurant, I thought something more outlandish might come out, but it turned out to be surprisingly ordinary.
Yes, it’s delicious and there’s nothing wrong with it.
Fried rice. It doesn’t taste like something you’d get at a restaurant at all!
I mean, in a good way, lol.
How should I put it? It’s kind of like the fried rice I used to eat at home on Saturday afternoons back in elementary school.
The oil wasn’t evenly distributed, so some parts were a little soggy, and others were slightly burnt.
Well, it was delicious.
But—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve written this on this blog—
as usual, the portion size is a bit small.
Hmm, I wonder where office workers in their 20s and 30s—the ones in the prime of their careers—eat lunch in Kyoto?
Well, I guess they probably don’t go to cafes, haha.
cafe MOLE
424 Yamamoto-cho, Miyukicho-dori, Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-256-2038
11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays
=====================================================================
Finally, thank you for reading!
If you are interested in going to Japan and want a guide,
I can help you! Please contact me here!
shikihopro1@gmail.com
=====================================================================
京都食べ歩き ブログランキングへ
京都府京都市 ブログランキングへ
にほんブログ村
にほんブログ村
