Every time I passed by this store, I was curious about it. Finally, I went there. It's just so cheap!!! And delicious! I was torn between the special omurice with tonkatsu or the tonkatsu curry, but ended up choosing the daily lunch special for some reason. My partner had the spaghetti with tonkatsu, meat sauce, and tonkatsu, all of which were delicious. The daily lunch special included pork chop, spaghetti, kinpira gobou, fried fish, salad, and pickles. The rice portion was quite generous, and very satisfying. The tonkatsu curry was 500 yen, and the ramen was 550 yen. It's too cheap! Thank you for the meal!

This is my third visit in 4 years. Prices have gone up, but it's still cheap. The cheapest item is toast and coffee for 350 yen. The most expensive is the special omurice and ramen set for 750 yen. I ordered the hamburger spaghetti for 550 yen, which came with soup. The spaghetti was cooked well, and the meat was slightly coarse with onions and mild acidity. The hamburger seemed like a pre-made product and was on the smaller side. I recommend adding Tabasco and powdered cheese. Coffee after the meal costs 150 yen. It was nice to find this place open during the Obon holiday period when many other shops are closed. The inside of the restaurant was a bit warm with weak air conditioning. Smoking is allowed. (August 2023)

This year's Bon holiday is a 6-day consecutive holiday, with 2 days off from my wife, allowing me to have a special day of playing alone, with the hope of dieting effects. I set out on my bike in the morning, heading to a restaurant where I can have breakfast. I pass through the trees on the Hokudai campus and arrive at a restaurant along the Hokko Line, but it seems to be closed for the Bon holiday. I change my destination and continue east towards the Motomachi area. I arrive at "Cafe and Dining Maki," where there are parking spaces for 2-3 cars in front of the store. The building has a retro Showa-style facade, and I take a photo before opening the door. Inside, there is a counter with 5 seats, 2 tables for 2 people, and 4 tables for 4 people. The owner, a woman in her 70s to 80s, seems to be running the place alone. The restaurant opens at 9:30 am on weekdays, Sundays, and holidays, and I wonder if there is another staff member. I sit at a 4-person table and order the "Toast Set @500" promptly. I take a closer look at the menu, which includes coffee @350, soft drinks @400, floats @450, sandwiches @400~, pasta, curry, pilaf @500, omurice, chicken rice, ramen @550, and daily lunch sets (with coffee) @700. The prices seem to have not been raised for many years, and they are very Showa-era prices. My coffee arrives quickly, but it turns out to be iced coffee. I prefer hot coffee even in the summer unless it's very hot. The toast set comes with two 1.5cm thick slices of toast cut in half and a boiled egg on the side. It's definitely too much for me, but it's a great value. The salad is a mix of cabbage, cucumber, and tomato with mayonnaise, served with a small fork. The toast is generously spread with margarine, moist and crispy on the outside. It's delicious, but two slices are too much for me. I wish the coffee was a bit stronger, but overall, the meal is satisfying and worth the price. I would like to try the lunch set next time. Thank you for the meal. * Smoking is allowed throughout the restaurant.

Daily lunch set for 650 yen with coffee included is a great deal. The restaurant is run by an elderly lady, so I was worried about the rice being too hard, but it was cooked perfectly. The daily specials like spaghetti, meat, and fish were all freshly made and delicious. The meat had a miso flavor which went well with the rice. The fish was oily and tasty, although I couldn't identify the type. There were some small bones, but they didn't bother me. The miso soup was tasty and the salad (tomato) was fresh. Since it's a one-person operation, I thought it might be difficult to get coffee after the meal without asking, but the lady brought it at the right time without me saying anything. Three minor points to note: soy sauce bottle is hard to pour from, there was a strong smell of cigarettes, and the tables were small. However, despite these negatives, I would definitely want to visit this place again. The ramen set (with rice and coffee) for 690 yen also caught my attention for being cheap. It's an old-fashioned coffee shop where smoking is allowed. There are only ashtrays on the tables, and you are provided with water and a wet towel when you sit down. The service is good.

500 yen for spaghetti cutlet!? I had been curious about this place every time I walked by, but never had the chance to go until now. It's located near the intersection of 24th Street and Fukuko Takuhoku Street, close to Poo Alley. The interior had a very Showa-era coffee shop feel, which I personally like. At the counter, regular customers were chatting with the owner. It was just before 11 am on a Sunday, with one customer already there and no one else behind me. I ordered the daily special which starts at 11 am, the spaghetti cutlet. And it's only 500 yen! The cutlet at Yamahana's Rotar is 650 yen, Chacha on Higashi 8-chome Street is 800 yen, and MP4 in Toyohira is 1100 yen. It's not served on a metal plate and the portion is slightly smaller, but still the cheapest in the city, right? The stir-fried spaghetti was delicious. Definitely worth it for 500 yen. And adding a coffee only costs 650 yen, which is incredible. Looking at the other menu options, even the most expensive one is only 650 yen (daily special, special omelette rice, yakisoba set). It's a great place for a quick snack. It's nice to have a place like this nearby. Next time my back pain flares up and I have to go to the orthopedic clinic next door, I might give it a try again. Maybe I'll go for the daily special next time.笑

I visited for a meal at a cafe called "Makisan" after a tiring day of snow removal. The daily lunch special with coffee was only 650 yen, and it included pork cutlet spaghetti, egg dumplings, squid salad, pickled radish, rice, and miso soup. It was a great deal, and I enjoyed a leisurely and satisfying meal with coffee afterwards. The food was delicious, and I will definitely be visiting again.

I visited a café located along the Miyano Morikita 24th Street in Higashi Ward in January 2023. There is a parking lot in front of the store. Even though it was past lunchtime around 2 pm, the interior was full with both counter and table seats. I was seated at the counter. I wanted to try the rice gratin at this café, so I ordered it. It took a bit of time, but I had plenty of time to spare. The female owner seemed to be cooking alone, but she was very efficient, and everything was homemade, which was surprising. The rice gratin was served piping hot! The white sauce was rich and to my liking. The rice was well-fried pilaf with a mild saltiness, but the bacon and other ingredients were evenly distributed, so it was satisfying. The side salad was also fresh. It's a charming café.

In December 2022, I visited the North 24th Street Motocho area, which is a well-known area. In this neighborhood, there are places like "Rotating Sushi Triton," its affiliated "Teishoku-ya" and "Bento" family restaurants, as well as "Nakau." It used to be an old-fashioned "coffee shop-style" place, but I decided to visit as I heard they offer a good value lunch. I usually don't go for "coffee shop food," but I wanted to check it out. The interior of the restaurant has a vintage feel like a "Showa-era coffee shop." It seems to be run by a lady who is a bit older than me. It's a place where elderly regulars from the neighborhood come to eat every day. It seems like smoking is allowed, but fortunately, none of the customers were smoking, which was a relief. Looking at the menu, almost everything is priced around a "coin." I was interested in the "daily special," but I decided to go with my favorite, the "Omelette Rice." The "Special Omelette Rice" for 650 yen was served on a large plate with a homemade pork cutlet on the side. It was topped with demi-glace sauce. There was a salad with hand-cut cabbage, cucumber, and tomato, with mayonnaise for me. It also came with Fukujinzuke. The soup was consomme. The "Omelette Rice" and pork cutlet were both generous in size and very filling. The chicken rice inside had a gentle flavor. The lady running the place seems to be a skilled cook. More customers came in after me, and it looked like a lot of work for her to handle alone. I hope she takes care of her health, especially since she doesn't have fixed days off. I found a good restaurant nearby. Next time, I might try the curry rice or be daring and go for the ramen.

Mikucha-san. It's a Showa-era coffee shop. There are ashtrays on the tables. I ordered pork cutlet curry from the menu. The most expensive item on the menu is around 650 yen, which is quite affordable. I often come here when I'm not sure where to go. But on this day, I also had curry for dinner. It was very delicious. I will visit again.

[Visit in early August 2022] I visited at 3 pm, outside of lunch hours, as it was a smoking-permitted establishment. There was one other customer. The place had a nostalgic coffee shop vibe, with weekly magazines, newspapers, and manga available. It was a calm space where time seemed to pass slowly. It was a good decision to visit outside of lunch hours. - Pork Cutlet Spaghetti (500 yen) - Coffee after the meal (150 yen) The spaghetti noodles were fried, giving them a slightly soft but fragrant texture. The pork cutlet was freshly fried and quite crispy. It came with consomme soup. The coffee had a reassuring taste typical of old-fashioned coffee shops. If you focus on the meal, the lunch hours from 11:00 to 14:00 seem like a good deal. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal! 🌟

One weekend, I revisited a cafe called The Cafe in Higashi-ku, Kitaku 24-jo, Higashi 22-chome after a conversation with a friend. I arrived early in the morning and the place was refreshing. I ordered the daily lunch set with a drink (650 yen) even though it was past 11 am. The coffee was served first, with a good amount of ice. The daily special was pork sauté, and the meat was tender and the sauce was slightly sweet. The spaghetti cooked in the sauce was also delicious. The salmon was of good quality, the pumpkin was sweet, the cabbage was finely shredded, the pickled radish was bright yellow, and the miso soup with seaweed was satisfying. The fact that they put effort into every dish, along with the drink included for 650 yen, was greatly appreciated. Thank you for the meal.

Kissa Maki-san. The red and black sign may be a bit intimidating for first-time visitors. This is a retro coffee shop from the Showa era where smoking is allowed inside. It's been over 20 years since I quit smoking, but there are still people smoking inside. The TV is playing an information program and the background music is the entrance music of Mil Mascaras, "Sky High♪" I ordered the most expensive special omurice on the menu and was impressed by the portion size for the price. The other menu items also caught my eye. The food was delicious. I will definitely visit again.

Makisan Tea House. It's a Showa-era style coffee shop. I ordered the Katsu Spaghetti from the menu. It's spaghetti noodles stir-fried with freshly fried pork cutlet and topped with meat sauce. It's a great value for just one coin, and everything feels nostalgic. Smoking is allowed because it's the Showa era. I enjoyed the meal very much. I will visit again.

I was searching for a place to eat katsudon and came across this shop. The shop itself is a very retro-style cafe. I was surprised by the prices when I looked at the menu. Everything is very cheap. The katsudon is only 500 yen. It's unbelievably cheap. As for the taste, the katsu is fried after ordering and delicious. The noodles are already boiled and a bit soft. I wish there was a bit more tomato sauce though.

On a certain weekday, I visited a quaint coffee shop bookmarked for lunch located in Higashi-ku, Kita 24-jo, Higashi 22-chome. The parking lot in front of the shop can accommodate about 2 cars. Stepping into the shop for the first time required some courage, as the interior did not disappoint with its old-fashioned charm, consisting of a small counter and 6 tables. The atmosphere felt a bit unfamiliar on the first visit. The background music playing was Western music, and a TV was airing an information program. Looking at the menu, the meal options were quite affordable, making me wonder if they would be available at this early hour. Despite the confusion, they agreed to serve me a "Special Omurice (650 yen)" without knowing what it contained. From the kitchen came the sound of various ingredients being sautéed, and after a while, the dish was ready. What? No way! It looks so luxurious! Taking a bite... What? It's way more delicious than I imagined! The slightly buttery ketchup rice, the perfect harmony with the ketchup on top, the generous ingredients like ham, onions, and green peppers, and the thin layer of egg covering everything, along with the simple sweetness of the fukujinzuke, all contributed to the dish's flavor. Next, I ordered the pork cutlet, which was fried properly after the order, not too thick but a decent portion size. The slightly sweet and good Demi-glace sauce made me forget the price. The salad was not a pre-made product but hand-cut cabbage, cucumber, and tomato with mayonnaise dressing. Lastly, a slightly unique consomme soup was a refreshing end to the meal. Initially, I felt a bit out of place, but the high quality of the food and the incredibly low prices made me vow to revisit. Seriously, this is too cheap for 650 yen! Thank you for the meal.

This is my second visit. I sat at a window seat and looked at the menu. As soon as I sat down, I was offered oshibori and water. Last time, I had the Napolitan. This time, I ordered the curry spaghetti for 400 yen with a fried egg topping. It took a bit of time to be served as there were many customers. The curry spaghetti came with consomme soup. The curry was yellow, thick, spicy, and to my liking. It had potatoes, carrots, and onions, but I couldn't find any meat. The spaghetti was thick and soft, which I also liked. Although the portion was a bit small, considering the price, it was reasonable. The total bill was 450 yen, with the fried egg costing 50 yen. I would like to revisit and try more dishes. (May 2019)

Today, I had a sudden craving for meat spaghetti, so I headed to my favorite restaurant. However, it was closed. Disappointed, I decided to try another place. I really wanted to have the classic meat spaghetti. Luckily, I found a spot to park my car in the crowded area. The restaurant was busy as usual. I ordered the pork cutlet spaghetti for 500 yen. The cutlet was crispy and delicious, with just the right thickness and topped with meat. The spaghetti was stir-fried and had a unique flavor when eaten without the meat. The combination of oil and spaghetti was surprisingly tasty. Of course, the cutlet with meat was also amazing. The spaghetti was delicious too! Maybe meat spaghetti is my favorite dish after all. The daily bento box also had a variety of side dishes and was very tasty. Thank you for the meal!

I came to this shop that caught my interest. There are two parking spaces in front of the store. The store opens at 9:30, but lunch starts around 11:00 when the rice is cooked. The daily special is 650 yen. Spaghetti is only 400 yen, which is very cheap. There are various menu items that catch my eye. I ordered the Napolitan for 400 yen. The Napolitan comes with Chinese soup. The ingredients include ham, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. I like that it has mushrooms. The spaghetti is probably pre-boiled, soft, and thick noodles. It has a light tomato ketchup flavor. It has a good aroma and somehow feels nostalgic. I'm also interested in the fact that they serve ramen for 500 yen. When I asked at the checkout, I found out that they have irregular holidays and you can get a large serving for an extra 100 yen. Next time, I want to try the curry spaghetti, omurice, or katsu spaghetti.

Makisan in Higashi Ward is becoming increasingly popular. It has a traditional atmosphere that may not catch your eye at first glance. It's an old-fashioned coffee shop, not quite what we would call a "cafe" today. However, it has been gaining attention through word of mouth in the local area. On my first visit, I was surprised to find it located next to a Seicomart with parking for two cars in front of the shop. The interior feels like a blast from the past, taking you back to the Showa era. The daily lunch special with coffee included is only 650 yen, almost like a one-coin meal. I was surprised by the affordability. The Hamburger Spaghetti (not pasta, but noodles) was reminiscent of the spaghetti my mom used to make when I was young. It was delicious and comforting, with plenty of minced meat. The hamburger was likely homemade, as was the meat sauce. The meal also came with soup for a total of 450 yen including tax. The small shop was run solely by the owner, who managed the bustling flow of customers admirably. I almost hesitate to share this hidden gem, as it might get too busy for the owner to handle alone, but I was so impressed that I had to leave a review. I look forward to trying other items on the menu. It's similar to Lota-san but has a more feminine touch. Apologies for any confusion in my review. Thank you for the wonderful meal, I will definitely be back!

Ramen set (with coffee) for ¥690.