Solo diner friendliness ★★★★★ "Butter Blend Coffee" and "Rare Cheesecake" (set for 1,100 yen). * ⑅୨୧┈┈┈┈Food Report✍️┈┈┈┈┈୨୧⑅ * 4th time's the charm, I finally visited the famous butter coffee shop "Danke". The shop, which originated in Kobe as "Mikage Danke", has a long history, moving from Atsugi to Kichijoji before settling in Ueno. It has become extremely popular due to a certain person's SNS post, leading to long lines in recent years. There was even a period when they stopped selling the "Rare Cheesecake". The shop was opened by the top disciple of the original shop that originated the "Butter Blend Coffee". It has been operating with the same menu for 48 years. On weekends, as well as weekdays, you can often see long lines (up to 2.5 hours wait) and I had given up many times before. On a rainy weekday, feeling somewhat sentimental, I visited in a resigned mood, and luckily saw the sign "OPEN". The counter had been arranged with social distancing measures, allowing seating for 3 groups, and I was seated at the left end. It was a bit nerve-wracking as it was a one-person operation at the counter, but after being seated, I received a detailed explanation of the coffee and sweets, and was served water in a cute pale pink glass. For hot drinks, you could choose a teacup, so I carefully selected one from the cabinet in front of me. I chose a berry-colored fairytale-like cup, hoping it would brighten my mood. The owner mentioned that this cup had been used by Kyoko Koizumi. While waiting for the coffee, he shared stories about famous people who had visited, such as Matsutaka Kiko and Katsumi Takahashi. By the way, you can also choose a cup from the cabinet on the left side of the store. Why is Jun Matsumoto's cup somehow a premium? (laughs) Fans would be thrilled, right? The temperature was carefully adjusted while waiting for the hot water to reach the right temperature, and the coffee was poured and enveloped by hand for temperature adjustment (?). It may take a bit of time as the owner interacts with each customer individually, but that's unavoidable. A male customer tried to enter at one point, but there seemed to be a rule that only women could share a seat with another woman, so he had to wait a bit. "Butter Blend Coffee" from Meissen, Germany. It was free from any off-flavors, had a mild bitterness, and was refreshing. The "Rare Cheesecake" was a rich cheesecake made with the finest cream cheese. It was served with a scoop of Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream. A refreshing lemon-like taste rushed through my mouth, with a hint of adult bitterness in the base crust. This cheesecake truly lives up to the expression "melt". A whole cake costs over 10,000 yen. There was an announcement about the price increase, but at just over 500 yen per slice, it not only seemed reasonable but almost felt like a treat. * ⑅୨୧┈┈┈┈Overall Impression┈┈┈┈┈୨୧⑅ * Without needing to open up, the talkative owner made me feel warm. I was allowed to take photos of the menu inside the store and he talked extensively about his commitment to the shop. It's clear that he truly loves this shop. The counter was filled with cat glasses, Doraemon spoons, and cats everywhere... a blissful counter. Many solo diners were present, and I enjoyed a leisurely time chatting with the woman next to me. It was suggested to visit before 2 pm on weekends. * ⑅୨୧┈┈┈┈Store Details┈┈┈┈┈୨୧⑅ * Tabelog ★3.58 (as of 10/06/2022) 1 minute walk from Ueno Station Exit 4 Cafe Budget ¥1,000- 4-1-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Hase Building 1F 03-3837-2111 No reservations [Mon-Fri] 12:00-19:00 (L.O. 18:30) [Sat-Sun-Holidays] 11:00-19:00 (L.O. 18:30) *Subject to change due to COVID Thursdays 14:30 ▹ ▸ No wait for payment Card × Electronic money × QR code payment × Cash ◎

It was a lovely café with a great atmosphere. Located in a deep part of Ueno, I was surprised to find it, but once I turned the corner past the swimming gear shop and Ramen Takahashi, a cute little shop with a charming exterior appeared. As soon as I opened the door, any girl would be thrilled. It was a small space with cute cups and only four counter seats, but the world view was incredibly lovely. The owner's explanation was a bit hard to understand, but the taste was definitely there. The melting cheesecake had no sugar at all, they said. The butter coffee was also delicious. And the cups and saucers were just too beautiful...!!! There were many rare items that surprised me. Considering the price of the cups, my hands tremble when drinking coffee. There was a Sora Jiro on the shelf. Cute. The weather forecaster Mr. Kihara was also there. Next time, I will bring my friends.

Hidden in a back alley behind Ameyoko, there is a super retro coffee shop with a small counter and only a few seats, where reservations are not accepted. It's a well-known spot among locals. The owner sets the pace completely, so it's not recommended for those in a hurry or with limited time. If you want to enjoy the famous cheesecake, it's best to visit alone. When ordering sweets for two or more people, be prepared for the owner's soft-spoken and fast-paced instructions due to some specific rules. You can choose a vintage cup and saucer from the collection shelf in the shop, as they are all rare collectibles that are no longer available. The owner will drip the coffee in front of you while sharing some history. The place tends to have a line even on weekdays, and you might feel a bit exposed from the outside. It's not a place for lingering, but coffee lovers will enjoy this unique spot. The dessert cups and cutlery are mostly anime-themed, which adds a quirky touch to the place. It would be nice if they could make it a bit more stylish in that aspect, but maybe the contrast is part of the charm! ❤️

When you go to Ueno, you almost always stop by this café. It is famous for its butter coffee originating from Kobe. The sweets like Käsekuchen and cheesecake are also delicious. It's fun to choose the cup for your coffee. The cup used by Koyuki Koizumi is popular. On this day, I had butter coffee and cheesecake. The cheesecake was so delicious that my family became fans of it, so I reserved a whole cheesecake.

I visited a restaurant that I had wanted to go to for a long time during the Obon holiday. I couldn't find it by searching on Google, but when I asked a ramen shop nearby, they kindly led me to the front of the restaurant. It's easy to find by going to the right of Nishiki's sweets. The interior of the restaurant with a red facade has only 5 counter seats. Here, you can enjoy the butter coffee directly from Mikage Danke in Kobe. It is a blend of 5 types of coffee beans, with butter added to the roasted finish. The blend I had had a light buttery aroma. The holiday limited baked cheesecake is a must-try. It is said to have mastered the recipe from Lillienberg. The rare cheesecake is made using the same cheese as Holt House Fusako in Kamakura. You can taste the rich cream cheese flavor. It goes well with the coffee. Strawberry Hagen-Dazs ice cream was served on the side. The owner seems to like cats, as there are cat-themed items placed throughout the restaurant. You can choose your favorite cup. There are limited edition Meissen cups available. I chose a red cup from Hermes. We had a great conversation about Kobe Danke and coffee. I would love to visit again and try other cakes. The restaurant opens at 11 am on holidays and at 12 pm on weekdays. There is often a line in the afternoon. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I thought to myself, "So this is a coffee shop," for the first time. The shop is about 2 minutes from Ueno, tucked away in an alley, so it's a bit hard to find at first. There are only 5 seats available. When you leave, the owner won't show you out until they finish washing up, but in return, they serve you a carefully crafted coffee. They also pay attention to the glasses they use, so if you order a hot drink, you can choose your glass from a selection of designs. It's interesting that each glass is different. The cheesecake is originally only available to regular customers, and when my friend and I went, we could only order one piece. It's a rich and creamy cheesecake with a strong cheese flavor. The cheese kuchen is more like a chewy bread with cream on top that you spread and eat. It also has a cheese flavor, so if you like that, you'll enjoy it. With all seats at the counter, it's a unique experience.

I happened to pass by and saw that they were open for business! So I decided to go for a proper coffee shop and ordered a Butter Blend Hot Coffee for 650 yen, even though it's summer. The coffee was delicious.

One day, I went shopping in the Ueno area and decided to check if that café still had long lines. To my surprise, there was no line at all! I always saw a line there and thought I could come back another time, but I wonder if it has calmed down a lot now? The café is located in a hidden spot, you have to enter an alley from the main street, and then another alley to find the shop. It's located behind the Nigiki sweets store. The interior has only 5 counter seats and one was available, so I could sit down right away. It's a small space, but you can feel the owner's attention to detail. The menu consists of coffee, cake, and coffee jelly. The cake is a "Cheese Kuchen," but there is also a hidden menu item, the "Cheesecake." Although it's not really hidden, it's on the menu. I decided to try the Cheesecake. When you order a hot coffee, you can choose your favorite cup from the shelf. It's fun to see what cups others choose. I chose this cup, which is apparently from Meissen. It's elegant and cheerful, and quite lovely. The water glass has cute cats inside, like a kaleidoscope. It's really wonderful. Although I could sit down quickly, it took quite a while for the order to arrive. (There was an apology when I left.) But during that time, I relaxed by looking at the cup and the interior, and observing the owner. So if you're in a hurry, it might be better to visit another time. My coffee was finally brewed and served, along with the cake. I had the "Butter Blend Coffee" and the "Rare Cheesecake." The "Butter Blend Coffee" costs 650 yen and is made with coffee beans soaked in butter. It's smooth and light, with a hint of bitterness that blends well. I wonder if this is due to the butter. The "Rare Cheesecake" costs 550 yen and comes with strawberry ice cream. Even the cutlery is cat-themed. The glass also has cats, and the owner seems to be a cat lover. The Rare Cheesecake follows a famous recipe from a shop in Kamakura. It has two layers, with a cookie crust at the bottom. The top layer is tangy, while the bottom layer is sweet. The combination of tanginess and sweetness is delicious. The cookie crust is crumbly and pairs well with the cheesecake. The strawberry ice cream is from Häagen-Dazs, with a berry sauce on top. This glass has Hello Kitty on it?! The coffee and the Rare Cheesecake complement each other well. Both were very delicious. This time I had the Cheesecake, but next time I want to try the Cheese Kuchen and coffee. If I drop by and there's no line, I'll definitely stop by.

Butter coffee ¥650, cheesecake cheese couhein ¥. The atmosphere is quaint, with about 5 counter seats in the store. The cheesecake is limited in quantity, so it seems that if there are 3 people, they should share one, and if there are 4 people, they should share two. We were 3 people, so we ordered one cheesecake, two cheese couheins, and butter coffee each. It's interesting that you can choose a cup from the shelf. It's nice to have a leisurely time flow. Both the cheesecake and the cheese couhein were delicious.

I was able to enter the restaurant around 4 pm without having to wait in line. The cheesecake is a hidden menu item, which makes fans of pre-research happy. The warmth of the master who explains this is the charm of this shop. Of course, both the coffee and the cake were very delicious.

It is a small restaurant with only about 5 seats at the counter. Not recommended for those in a hurry. It is unclear if there is a restroom. I was told that the cheesecake sells out by 4 pm even on weekdays. I was disappointed as I came for the cheesecake.

Arrival at Ueno Station~(^^) It's still too early for the sauna, so let's go to a cafe instead. There are so many people here today, especially tourists? There are a lot of foreigners, right? In the hustle and bustle of Ameyoko, I found a shop in a quiet alley called Danke-san. There are two groups waiting in line. Well, let's line up while writing a review. Oh, the master came out. It seems he has some business to attend to and will close early today. I was the last customer. Lucky me! The master told me to turn away any customers who come after me. I explained this to about four groups. And finally, I entered the shop. It's a wonderful world with antique cups and touching BGM. The atmosphere created by the master and the size of the shop are like a different world. You can choose your favorite cup, which is fun. Of course, I ordered the Rare Cheesecake and Butter Blend Coffee. They soak the beans in butter immediately after roasting, which is amazing. This leisurely time heals the heart. The coffee has a very nice aroma, and you can definitely smell a hint of butter. The Rare Cheesecake is also exquisite, with a perfect balance of acidity and a crispy bottom crust. The coffee leaves a lingering scent of butter-soaked beans. I want to stay here forever. It's a special cafe where you feel that way! Thank you for the meal Ψ( 'ч' ☆)

I visited the place after seeing it featured on TV and wanting to try the butter coffee. The staff explained quickly and quietly, making it hard to understand. When I asked for clarification, they seemed slightly annoyed. The butter coffee wasn't as buttery as I expected, with a smooth taste that balanced the bitterness and acidity of the coffee. It was delicious.

Whenever I visit Ueno Okachimachi, I always make sure to stop by this shop. They have irregular opening hours and are often closed on weekends and holidays. It is a renowned shop that is said to be known by all cheesecake lovers. They were taught the recipe by a famous cheesecake shop in Kamakura. Their butter coffee and cheesecake are exceptional. You can choose a coffee cup from the ones displayed in the shop and enjoy your coffee in it. Both my companion and I love their cheesecake, but since they only serve one per group, we usually pick a different cake and share it. I wish they would allow each person to have their own. Their cheese kuchen and coffee jelly are also delicious. I will definitely visit again to enjoy their dreamy butter coffee, cheesecake, and cheese kuchen.

A café in Ueno. Visited for lunch on a holiday. A hidden gem located in a back alley off the main street of Ameyoko. Arrived at 11:45 and it was already full, with a constant stream of customers at this popular spot. The line forms on the left side of the door. The café is run by a quiet master who explains the rules and menu. His soft, fast-paced voice makes it hard to hear. The shelves display luxurious and dazzling teacups for you to choose from. I picked a Meissen cup. The water glass has a kaleidoscope effect when viewed from above, adding a playful touch. Ordered the "Butter Blend Coffee" (650 yen), which is ground fresh after ordering. Each coffee is brewed individually, so it takes about 20-30 minutes to be served. The coffee has a hint of butter aroma. The coffee spoon features Winnie the Pooh. The "Rare Cheesecake" (550 yen) is limited in quantity. If there are two of you, only one person can order it. It has two layers and a very smooth texture. When paired with the coffee, the cheese and butter blend perfectly in your mouth. Due to the time it takes for the coffee to be served, it's best to expect to spend about an hour from lining up to leaving the café.

Located in Ameyoko in Ueno, "Danke" is a small coffee shop with only 5 counter seats. It is the only cafe in the Kanto region where you can enjoy the famous Kobe butter blend coffee from "Mikage Danke", the top disciple of the master. After having beef omurice at "Kitchen Sakurai", I moved to Danke and arrived at 13:55, just in time as a customer was leaving and a seat was available. There was one group of 2 customers and one solo customer inside. The master provided a brief explanation of the menu and mentioned that the rare cheesecake is a hidden menu item. I ordered the butter blend coffee for 650 yen and the cheesecake for 550 yen, totaling 1200 yen. You can choose your coffee cup, but I left it to the master's choice. The shelves behind the counter display a variety of cups from around the world, some of which are rare and expensive. The rare cheesecake is made using the same recipe as the one from "House of Flavors" in Kamakura, known as the most luxurious cheesecake in Japan. While a whole cake costs 16,000 yen, you can enjoy a slice at Danke for 550 yen. The coffee and cheesecake were served in order of the customers, with the coffee having a rich buttery aroma and smooth taste. The cheesecake, with layers of cream cheese and sour cream, was incredibly smooth. The shop quickly filled up with customers, and a line of 12 people formed as I left. It was a delicious experience, and I look forward to returning for the rare cheesecake. The shop offers free Wi-Fi.

This time, I had Viennese Coffee for 750 yen and Rare Cheesecake (Gluccheese) for 550 yen. The Viennese Coffee was served in a Collectif @ Meissen Grand Tret Red cup, which complemented the coffee nicely. The tableware from Meissen is top-notch and considered a luxury item. The Rare Cheesecake is homemade and the recipe and taste are excellent, similar to a famous shop in Nishi-Kamakura. It has three layers - a slightly tangy sour cream on top, a creamy cheese layer in the middle, and a crispy crust at the bottom. The Viennese Coffee enhances the richness of the butter coffee with added creaminess. The wait time to enter the shop was 30 minutes, but the coffee was brewed in 10 minutes, and the whole coffee time was about 15 minutes. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. Thank you for the meal.

- - - - - - - - - - ⭐Price: 1 (1 affordable -> 5 expensive) ⭐Taste: 3 (1 so-so -> 5 amazing) ⭐Service: 3 (1 so-so -> 5 excellent) ⭐Atmosphere: 2 (1 casual, noisy -> 5 upscale, cozy) ⭐Cost performance: 4 (1 not worth the price, small portion -> 5 worth it, satisfying portion) - - - - - - - - - - Visit time on Tabelog: 3.58 ACCESS ----------------------------- 4-1-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Hase Building 1F 6 minutes walk from JR Ueno Station, 2 minutes walk from JR Okachimachi Station -------------------------------------- Established in 1977 and born in Kobe, this coffee shop has a small counter with 5 seats, and many people line up for the hidden menu item "Rare Cheesecake," so it is recommended to line up early. The "Butter Coffee," where butter is soaked after roasting, is also famous, and you can also purchase beans at the store. The coffee brewing utensils are self-served, and you can choose from Hermes, Wedgwood, Meissen, and others displayed on the shelf, which is a delightful point for coffee lovers. ORDER ------------------------------ ◆Butter Blend Cafe (550 yen) for 2 ◆Cheese Cuffin (500 yen) ◆Rare Cheesecake (500 yen) ------------------------------------- [About the taste] ◇Butter Blend Cafe A coffee that the owner, who is the top disciple of Kobe's "Mikage Danke," has carefully selected. When you bring the cup close to your mouth, you can smell the rich aroma of butter and coffee. The butter mellows out any bitterness in the coffee, making it enjoyable even for those who are not fond of coffee. It's quite unique and not easy to find elsewhere. ◇Cheese Cuffin It's like a sweet and salty bread that you would want to eat in the morning, with English muffin outer layer crispy, cheese on top, and sweet and salty cream on top of it. ◇Rare Cheesecake Served with Häagen-Dazs ice cream, it is said to be a reproduction of the recipe from the shop "House of Flavors," the shop with the highest cheesecake in Kamakura. The rare cheesecake is divided into two layers, with a sour cream on the top layer, cream cheese on the bottom layer, and a biscuit crust underneath. It has a rich and creamy texture that sticks to your fork or lips, but the difference from "House of Flavors" in Kamakura is that the biscuit crust is thick and without cinnamon, and the sweetness of the cheese is a bit lacking with a strong lemon-like acidity. It seems more suitable for tea than coffee. [Impressions] We lined up from 10:30 am on a Saturday and were able to be the first to enter the shop. Even if a line forms, you are not rushed to leave after finishing your meal, so if there are customers who take their time in front of you, you may have to wait longer. Since the interior is a small counter only, those who like to choose from a wide variety of menus in a spacious space may be disappointed. As the owner does everything alone, watching that process slowly while waiting becomes a highlight. *The Rare Cheesecake seems to be a hidden menu item, so if you visit with two people, one of you must order the Cheese Cuffin, so be aware. [Business hours] Mon-Fri 12:00-19:00 Sat-Sun, holidays 11:00-19:00 [Closed] None [Payment] Cash only

I had bookmarked this shop for a long time. I think I first saw it on TikTok. I finally got to visit it. The shop is located in a really unique place, kind of off the beaten path in Ameyoko. I visited alone on Friday at 12:44. There were 2 customers already there. I was seated between these two customers in a tight space. The shop only has 5 seats. It's amazing how this kind of business model can work. When I entered the shop, the owner explained the menu to me. I ordered a butter blend Vienna coffee and a cheesecake. I could choose my own coffee cup, so I quickly picked a red one. There was no special meaning behind my choice. The owner placed the cup I chose in front of me. They mentioned that I could take photos freely. By the way, there was a verbal explanation of the cheesecake menu, but I couldn't find it written anywhere in the shop. The small space and the tense atmosphere of a traditional coffee shop created a slight sense of tension inside. After waiting for 19 minutes, the coffee was served first. When the Vienna coffee was served, they mentioned that they only used 50% of the cream. Then the cheesecake arrived. They mentioned that the ice cream was Häagen-Dazs. I had ordered the Vienna coffee thinking it must be delicious in a shop like this, but I realized I should have first checked the taste of the coffee itself in a shop I was visiting for the first time. Anyway, the coffee was really delicious. The cheesecake was rich and tasty, with a hint of citrus flavor. I'm not sure if this flavor came from the cheese or the citrus itself. I quickly finished my meal and left, as the next customer might arrive soon. The total bill was 1300 yen. Having coffee and cake in a place with this atmosphere for 1300 yen feels like a very fair price. Thank you for the meal.

I visited on a regular day. This shop has polarized reviews on Tabelog, but the famous cheesecake and butter coffee are really delicious. The cheesecake is thick and smooth with a hint of acidity, and the butter coffee is slightly sweet and easy to drink. You can choose your favorite cutlery for hot drinks. The cups and saucers provided are also beautiful and impressive. I'm not sure, but are they antiques? The owner handles customer service, cooking, and other tasks alone, so the turnover rate is not very high. However, if you eat and drink slowly, all the customers who came in at the same time may leave before you, leaving you behind. When I asked if this would be a problem, the owner kindly reassured me, saying, "It's okay, take your time." I was happy with the courteous service provided to each customer individually, which may explain the low turnover rate. The atmosphere was quiet, and I didn't sense any rudeness or lack of friendliness at all. (Personally, I appreciate this level of distance.) I would like to try lining up again if I have the chance.

The tableware is very stylish and cute! And you can even choose your own coffee cup! The cakes are incredibly delicious too! There are only a few seats, so if you can get in, you're lucky, but this place is definitely worth a visit.