Tabisuru Kissa

Dusk sky, blue sky, night sky: at Tabisuru Kissa, choosing a cream soda by its name is part of the fun. The red-and-orange “Yūzora” (Evening Sky) is sweet and citrusy, made with mandarin orange syrup; “Aozora” (Blue Sky), in blue and clear layers, combines ramune with a touch of lemon tartness. “Yozora” (Night Sky) shifts from deep purple to indigo and has a gently sweet flavour from flower-derived syrup. The sodas differ not just in colour but in taste, too. One diner who tried Yūzora recalled its citrus notes and sunset-like gradient as especially memorable.

You could go for the classic green melon soda, or choose a sky-inspired colour to suit your mood. Amebiyori, a rainy-day-only option, is described as melon-flavoured with a refreshing lift from lemon and other flavours. The weather- and season-inspired names are part of the café’s character. Menu listings also include fruit-packed cream sodas, with frozen mango or melon flesh in place of ice. The fruit is said to be best once it has softened slightly, making these an appealing choice if you want to enjoy fruit as well as a drink.

For a meal, curry is another option, and is listed as one of the café’s signature offerings. Possible choices include chicken curry and a combination of two curries; diners have also commented that the curry has a definite heat. One visitor who ordered the maitake mushroom keema curry found its flavour distinctive. Whether you are in the mood to explore the curries and their spice or simply want a café break centred on cream soda, the menu offers different ways to spend your time here.

If dessert is the main event, the parfaits are worth a look. The listed Matcha and White Chocolate Sakura Parfait layers matcha meringue and shiratama rice dumplings with brownie, sakura bean paste, Tosa buntan citrus and a sake jelly, among other elements. The Ume and Noto Blueberry Chocolat combines blueberries and strawberries with gâteau au chocolat, and also includes a gin jelly. These desserts have very different compositions; check with the café about availability before visiting if you have a particular one in mind.

There are drinks beyond the colourful sodas, too. Koko, the café’s medium-roast original blend, is dripped to order, so it suits a slower coffee break. The menu also lists chai made with a homemade base of simmered tea leaves and 4 spices, mixed with milk, as well as a caffeine-free herbal tea blended with kuromoji. The café is in Koenji Minami and is described as a calm place to spend time; it is also noted as suitable for dining alone. Come for curry followed by soda, pair a parfait with tea, or simply settle in with coffee.