Introduction:The Japanese coffee brand %Arabica has launched the world’s first traditional Japanese breakfast shop, %Shokudō, in Kyoto, offering a set meal of one soup and three side dishes paired with its signature coffee to create an immersive local dining experience. This reservation-only eatery, with just 12 seats, offers each breakfast set (tax included) for 4,800 yen, featuring miso soup, grilled fish as the main dish, and seasonal sides, along with unlimited tea or coffee refills. This article details its location design, menu composition, and reservation essentials, giving you an in-depth look at this innovative fusion of minimalist aesthetics and Japanese dining culture.

Known for its minimalist style and refined small cups of coffee, %Arabica recently opened the world’s first traditional Japanese breakfast specialty shop, %Shokudō, in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, marking the brand’s official entry into the foodservice industry. The new shop is located around the corner from the %Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama flagship store, situated at a street corner, and features a traditional hinoki wood structure paired with large glass panels, creating a space that blends old and new.

This eatery, configured with only12 seats,operates on a full reservation basis, offering three daily service times: 09:00, 10:30, and 12:00. Each time slot is strictly limited to6 reserved guests, with dining duration capped at 60 minutes. It’s worth noting that the shop does not accept walk-ins or same-day queuing, and it is recommended to make a reservation through official channels at least several days in advance.

The core of the meal is the classic Japanese breakfast set known as “one soup and three side dishes,” which includes a bowl of white rice, a cup of miso soup, a grilled fish main dish (which changes seasonally), and three types of seasonal pickled vegetables or stir-fried greens. After the meal, guests can choose to pair their meal with %Arabica’s own-roasted coffee or traditional Japanese tea, with the complete set priced at4,800 yen (approximately 1,050 New Taiwan Dollars)(tax included).

According to the menu visuals released by the brand, the miso soup is typically made with a dashi base of seasonal kelp and bonito, while the grilled fish main often features salt-grilled seafood such as mackerel, salmon, or eel. The sides include typical Japanese dishes like cold tofu, dried bamboo shoots, and myoga. The overall plating follows the minimalist principles of kaiseki cuisine, emphasizing the natural flavors of the ingredients and the sense of season.

The two-story wooden building housing %Shokudō retains detailed features of traditional Kyoto machiya architecture, such as the rain-shedding board walls and lattice window elements. The interior incorporates large floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light, creating an interesting contrast with the industrial-style concrete exterior of the neighboring %Arabica Higashiyama store. This design approach not only echoes the brand’s consistent minimalist aesthetic but also integrates the historical texture of Kyoto’s old streets.

Brand representatives revealed that this venture into the food business stems from a long-held idea of “providing a complete breakfast experience.” Although the Kyoto main store already serves French bread and freshly baked sandwiches each morning, the team has always wanted to use fresh, locally sourced Japanese ingredients to present a more representative traditional morning meal. The new shop uses rice delivered directly from farms on the outskirts of Kyoto, seafood caught in the Tango Peninsula, and pickled vegetables from Kyushu, ensuring a short supply chain from farm to table.

For coffee enthusiasts, this eatery also offers an alternative venue to experience %Arabica’s unique roasting style — in addition to choosing classic cold drip coffee or dark roast lattes, the Japanese green tea or genmai-cha served after the meal can further highlight the gentle layers of a traditional Japanese breakfast. First-time visitors are advised to set aside an extra 30 minutes to walk to nearby landmarks such as Yasaka Shrine or Shoren-in Temple, planning a half-day slow-living itinerary.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.