Today's lunch was at "Coffee & Omurice Poco" in front of Kyoto Station, near the intersection of Higashinoboin Shio-koji. It's a coffee shop I've been curious about for a while, and finally made my first visit. Outside, there are food samples with a nostalgic Showa era vibe. Inside the entrance, there's a sample of omurice. Perhaps they brought it inside because it had been raining. The pink telephone is an antique. The long and narrow interior exudes a retro atmosphere. The handwritten menu adds to the historical feel. It's interesting that they have "Cola-" instead of just "Cola". The meal menu also has that classic coffee shop feel. You can choose between salad or miso soup, which is unique. I decided to go with the signboard menu item, "Omurice (Salad)" for 700 yen. The coffee after the meal for 150 yen is a great deal, but I passed on it this time. Each table is set with a sugar pot and salt, typical of a Showa era coffee shop. Ashtrays are also provided by default, as smoking is allowed. In fact, everyone except me was smoking, so it was quite smoky as soon as I entered the shop. The salad is a simple lettuce with regular dressing, but with a unique touch of a slice of banana on top. The omurice is the classic style with thinly cooked egg wrapped around ketchup-flavored rice. It's slightly square in shape. The ketchup-flavored rice contains ham and mushrooms. The sauce on the outside has a strong flavor, a mix of tonkatsu sauce and ketchup, giving a rich taste even when spread thinly. You can fully enjoy the trendy Showa retro vibe.

It is a café located right near Kyoto Station. It has an old-fashioned atmosphere that seems to be frequented by regular customers. I visited in the early afternoon on a weekday, and there were no other customers. The interior allows smoking, so as soon as you enter, you can smell the tobacco. It was a bit difficult to sit at the counter, so I chose a table in the back and ordered what seemed to be their signature dish, omurice. You can choose miso soup or salad, and I chose the salad. The dish was served shortly after, with thin omelette wrapped around ketchup-flavored rice in a traditional style. The ketchup flavor was subtle and the rice was fluffy and delicious. I could only confirm the presence of ham as the filling. The sauce had a strong acidity, slight bitterness, and richness, making it tasty. I'm not a fan of soggy rice or excessive ketchup on omurice, so I was quite impressed with this version. The portion size was just right for a middle-aged man. The salad consisted of lettuce and banana, which was a nice surprise. After the meal, you can add a drink for 150 yen. I ordered an iced coffee, which seemed to be pre-made. By around 12:30, the café was almost full of customers ordering coffee. It seemed like more people were there for coffee rather than meals. Personally, I would like to visit again for the taste if it weren't for the tobacco smell... Thank you for the meal! (^o^)

It's in Kyoto. Located in front of Kyoto Station, just up from Shio-koji Street onto Higashinotoin Street. On the east side, there was this restaurant. I was looking for a lunch spot and happened to stumble upon it. The day I visited was suddenly warm, with lots of tourists around. Everyone was wearing masks properly, but I wanted to avoid crowded places. So, I decided to check out this place that seemed a bit intimidating. When I entered the restaurant, there was a modern-looking CO2 monitor, but it felt like the ventilation wasn't working well as there was a strong smell of cigarette smoke that made my eyes sting. The regular customer sitting at the counter near the entrance seemed to be smoking a lot. I thought maybe it was temporary. I ordered the signature dish, which was an omelette rice according to the menu outside. The service was efficient, but there was a strong sense of being an outsider, typical of Kyoto. While waiting for the omelette rice, I drank some water. After a few minutes, the omelette rice arrived. It was a thick omelette with plenty of fat, wrapped around ham and ketchup rice, topped with a thick sauce instead of ketchup. The sauce was not too sour, but I personally prefer a ketchup with more acidity. The portion was smaller than expected, and I finished it quickly. When I finished eating and placed the plate down, it felt like I was being stared at, and the plate was quickly taken away, as if I was being told to leave. I actually wanted to have coffee, but the uncomfortable atmosphere and the stinging sensation in my eyes from the cigarette smoke made me leave without ordering anything else.

I often stay near Kyoto Station, so I sometimes stop by for breakfast. Instead of sausages, the hot dog has eggs in it. The atmosphere of the café near JR Kyoto Station is cozy, with locals gathering there. The price is reasonable. I didn't drink alcohol, so my rating is between 3.0 and 3.5.

I visited this Showa-style cafe located in front of Kyoto Station North Exit. The background music playing inside the cafe is from MBS Radio. I ordered an "Iced Coffee" which was served promptly. It had a very typical taste of acidity and bitterness. There are plenty of newspapers available.

First of all, Poko-san's morning set for 450 yen had impure reasons for entering in the first place. I had observed it frequently while passing by, including during lunchtime. But this time, my curiosity reached its peak to the point where I couldn't just pass by, so I recklessly entered the retro Saten of the Showa era. The interior of the shop, which can't be described as beautiful by any means, exudes a nostalgic charm that might delight enthusiasts of that era. However, it's not recommended for those who dislike tobacco, as in the narrow shop, the purple smoke from the regular customers' cigarettes quickly drifts over. As for the main item, the hot coffee in the morning set, after taking two sips, it tasted like an even weaker version of American coffee, so thin that the bottom of the cup was visible, and it was not tasty. It was hand-brewed, but still not good. However, the toast was surprisingly delicious. The reason being that a slice of a loaf of bread was cut and toasted in a toaster, with just the right amount of butter spread on it. The bread was simple, with only butter, which made the deliciousness of the bread stand out. By the way, I had heard that Kyoto has the highest number and quality of bakeries in the country, so I wonder if the bread at this shop is also of that level. Overall, the coffee was a no-go, but the toast made from the bread was delicious and deserving of praise. The smoking-friendly atmosphere, which affects the experience, was a letdown, as it somewhat diminished the taste of the delicious toast, but considering the cost-performance ratio, it seems to be fair.

Number of visits: 1 It's about a 4-minute walk from Kyoto Station...quite close, and it opens early in the morning so it's convenient for commuting. Smoking is allowed, although there were no smoking cars when I visited, the smell of cigarettes as soon as you enter the store, you can tell this is a place for smokers. There is a strong smell in the store, which may be tough for those who are sensitive to it. The Morning Set B is simple with toast and boiled egg. The boiled egg is cooked just right so the yolk doesn't stick to the shell. The toast is pre-buttered.

August 29, 2020 Departing from the hotel! It's a bit too early for lunch, so I decided to stop by this place nearby to kill some time. "Poko" is the name of the place, and although I'm not sure what it means, it's a cute name! The interior of the shop is long and narrow, with a deep layout. There are counter seats near the entrance and four two-person tables in the back. There was only one customer when I arrived, and I was seated at one of the tables in the back. I ordered an iced coffee and enjoyed my time relaxing. They open at 6 am in the morning, and I heard they have a special omelette rice dish during lunchtime. I might try it next time I visit Kyoto. Thank you for the meal!

This is a cafe located in front of Kyoto Station. It is a quaint, long and narrow cafe with a traditional townhouse design on the northeast corner of Kyoto Station. It seems like there is a residence in the back. They seem to offer morning sets, so let's go inside and check it out. The interior is exactly as imagined, with a long counter and small table seats lined up against the wall in the back. It has a nice atmosphere. The elderly master and regular customers of the same age are chatting at the counter. I pass behind the customers and sit at a table. I ordered coffee and the B set with toast and boiled egg. As I looked at the menu, I saw that coffee refills are only 150 yen, so of course I got a refill. I never expected to find such a great place right in front of Kyoto Station. I would love to visit again when I come to Kyoto. Thank you for the meal.

Around 1150, I entered the restaurant alone for lunch. The interior of the restaurant, which is long and narrow, has a counter near the entrance, table seats in the back, and a kitchen even further back. It has a capacity of about 12 seats. I looked at the food samples that are not often seen outside and ordered after looking at the menu with table-shaped color variations. After about 10 minutes, the food was served from the kitchen in the back. You can tell that it is homemade from the uneven colors. The sliced boiled egg on top also gives a nostalgic feeling. The taste was as expected. I chose miso soup with salad. The addition of wheat gluten gives a Kyoto vibe. This restaurant, which is presumably run by an elderly couple, has a warm Kyoto dialect. The omurice next to me also looked delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Omelette rice with coffee for 850 yen is a great deal. The homemade cakes help relieve fatigue. The relaxing atmosphere is attracting more female customers.

A long-established coffee shop located just a stone's throw from Kyoto Station. Its black exterior with yellow lettering exudes a sweet presence. As expected from its old-fashioned facade, stepping inside transports you to a world of Showa-era nostalgia. The place is filled with vintage low chairs and mid-century pastel-colored seats. The cafe has a somewhat rundown charm, with traffic information playing from the speakers and the sound of cars outside. Smoking is allowed, and the owner is seen enjoying a smoke. I opted for the omurice, which comes with a choice of salad or miso soup. The oval-shaped omurice, wrapped in thin egg, is a classic dish here. The standout feature is the glossy sauce, which has a thick consistency and a secret blend of flavors.

When I traveled to Kyoto, I arrived at Kyoto Station in the morning and tried to find a place for breakfast in the vicinity, but there were no open shops in the underground mall. So I went outside and found this small, old-fashioned café that opens at 6 am in front of the station. The café is run by a man in his 60s, and I had a sandwich set here. It's not particularly cheap or delicious, but the vintage atmosphere from about 30 to 40 years ago is great. Also, the master's farewell greeting of "ookini!" made me feel like I was really in Kansai. The only downside was that there were no non-smoking seats, and there were many people smoking inside, so the place was filled with smoke. But I guess that's just how it is in old cafes like this.

There are few cafes in Kyoto Station where you can smoke. I found a shocking pink cafe with a sweet exterior while searching online for a potential refuge. I decided to check it out. It's a small two-story building that doesn't seem like prime real estate in front of Kyoto Station. I cautiously opened the bright red door and entered. Inside, there are about 5 counter seats and 3 small tables for two. At the counter, regular customers were chatting with the owner over bottled beer. The table seats have a tunnel-like table design and oddly high-backed royal blue upholstered chairs. Ashtrays are provided on all tables, assuming people will smoke. A warm consideration for smokers, the societal outcasts. The surface of the stand on the table displays the drink menu. Coffee starts at 400 yen. Considering its location in front of the station, it's reasonably priced, right? They don't have black coffee, but they offer a variety of carbonated drinks, juices, and floats. The back of the drink menu lists food options ranging from heavy meals like curry, pilaf, omurice, and yakisoba to light snacks like hotcakes, sandwiches, and toast. The extensive menu doesn't have a hint of Kyoto style, and it seems more geared towards local office workers for lunch rather than tourists. I ordered a café au lait for 430 yen. It came in an octagonal cup with a matching saucer, with a slightly milk-dominant but mild and easy-to-drink taste. When I left the shop, Kyoto Station was right in front of me. Just one traffic light away, and I'd be 100 meters from the ticket gate. I'm grateful that there is a place where you can smoke so close to the station. I hope this shelter for smokers near the station will continue to exist for a long time, so I'll give it a generous rating for now.

This is my theory, but I believe that smoking dulls the sense of taste. I was heading to Kyoto Station for work and was drawn to a coffee & omurice sign, so I decided to stop by. The name of the shop is "Poko," a cute name for a café. When I opened the red door and entered, I saw a counter with 6 seats on the left and four two-seater tables. Since there were regular customers at the counter, I sat at one of the tables in the back. The owner, who looked like a chef, appeared from the back. Despite the cute appearance and name of the shop, there was a huge gap for me (laughs). I ordered the omurice (700 yen) without hesitation. I was told that I could choose miso soup or salad with the omurice, so I asked for miso soup. After a while, the omurice and miso soup were brought to me. The omurice was quite huge. It was the size of a rice bowl with ketchup rice topped with onions, mushrooms, and ham. The portion was so large that I wondered if I could finish it all. As I took a bite, I could feel the texture of the ketchup rice, onions, mushrooms, and ham. The taste started to get boring halfway through. The miso soup was so hot that it was difficult to drink until it cooled down, so I managed to finish eating while drinking water. What bothered me more than the food was the smoking. All the staff and everyone except me were smoking. I understand that smoking is a personal preference, but I wish they would refrain from smoking near non-smokers, including me, in the shop.

I visited a café called Poco in Kyoto. Since my hotel did not include breakfast, I decided to look for a café where I could have breakfast. I found this place which had a local café vibe, so I decided to give it a try. I entered around 9:30 am and there were no other customers. The café had a few tables and a counter. As soon as I entered, I noticed a strong smell of cigarettes. It seemed like a café where people who smoke gather. I ordered the B set from the morning menu for 480 yen, which came with toast, coffee, and a boiled egg. The food arrived shortly after. The toast already had butter spread on it. It was neither good nor bad. As I finished eating, what seemed to be a regular customer arrived. They immediately lit a cigarette, confirming that this café is indeed popular among smokers. It seems like a local café that is favored by smokers.

For the past three weeks, I have been staying near Kyoto Station. It has become my daily routine to take a walk around the station in the morning, combining a little exercise with searching for a breakfast spot. During one of these walks, I came across a cafe near Kyoto Station that offers morning sets and is always crowded. I decided to visit the cafe on a weekday at 7:30 am. The cafe was about half full at that time. They offer four types of morning sets: A Set - Coffee, Toast (450 yen) B Set - Coffee, Toast, Boiled Egg (480 yen) C Set - Coffee, Toast, Boiled Egg, Lettuce, Fruit (500 yen) Sandwich Set - Coffee, Ham & Egg Sandwich (550 yen). I ordered the B Set with iced coffee. The food arrived quickly and was decent. As I looked around the cafe, I noticed that most of the customers were smoking. Despite the smoking ban in outdoor areas near Kyoto Station, this cafe seemed to be a popular spot for those who wanted to enjoy their cigarettes freely. It is a recommended spot for those who want to smoke in the Kyoto Station area.