Budouya

Step into Budouya, set inside the Ota Building in Minami-Ikebukuro, and you enter a warm, vintage Shōwa-era kissaten furnished with deep red banquettes and well-kept retro accents. The compact layout offers both counter stools and small tables, where the welcoming, unhurried demeanor of the female staff immediately puts newcomers at ease.

The food menu delivers dependable kissaten fare. A standout snack is the hamburg press—a toasted sandwich filled with a savory meat patty, nicely crisped on the outside and ideal for bridging the gap between meals. Diners looking for a fuller midday meal lean toward the chicken pilaf or shrimp pilaf sets, which arrive accompanied by salad, miso soup, and post-meal coffee or tea. Staples like egg sandwiches, ham sandwiches, and sweet cinnamon toast round out the enduring, unpretentious lineup.

To accompany a meal or mark an afternoon pause, the house blend coffee offers a rich, comforting aroma, complemented by single-origin pour-overs such as Mocha and Kilimanjaro. When cold refreshments are called for, iced coffee sits alongside old-school cream sodas, freshly squeezed juices, and classic milkshakes.

The shop operates from 10:00 to 16:00 and permits smoking throughout, making it a regular stop for smokers and neighborhood strollers seeking a quiet break. Payment is cash only, so having smaller bills and coins on hand is recommended.