01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Behind a heavy door and under soft, low lighting, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves shut out the outside bustle. Situated in the Jimbocho and Ogawamachi area, Mafumi Coffee is a kissaten with counter seating on the 1st floor and tables surrounded by books on the 2nd. Playful details, such as a hidden door disguised as a bookshelf that leads to the restroom, draw you further into its quiet, carefully crafted world.
The cold-drip coffee, Mizururi, extracted drop by drop over 15 hours, is the natural place to start. Remarkably clean and free of harsh astringency, it carries a deep body and mellow finish reminiscent of whisky. Served over a large block of ice, it is best tasted neat to appreciate the bean's character before letting the melting ice, milk, or syrup shift the flavour profile.
An old-fashioned firm custard pudding pairs naturally with the coffee. Kept modestly sweet, its darkly scorched, bitter caramel sauce brings out the coffee's roasted depth. The menu also offers a seasonal rare cheesecake featuring fruit such as peaches or Muscat grapes, a rich, velvety gâteau au chocolat, and cups brewed fresh with flannel nel-drip filters.
For a light meal, the kitchen serves curry rice with a beverage or the croque monsieur served under a mound of rocket, keeping the shop useful through the evening. Whether you come to think quietly over a book or simply take a break late at night, it offers a welcoming setting for a drink and a sweet bite.
