Cafe Zenon
Starting this post after over 2 hours of consistent blog work and 5 water refills later. A friend and I have been to this cafe three times and this place has yet to disappoint. With our final exam coming up this week and my study abroad time in Japan coming to a close, I don't think I'll find myself here again before I leave Japan. I guess it's appropriate now to mention this place on here! 😃
This place is supposed to be a manga cafe but I have yet to find the manga section of this place... too lazy to ask... 😅 Rather, I think this cafe is known for two things: their coffee lattes and tea lattes. I've tried both and they're super good! Not too sweet and not too bitter. If you had to compare, I think that the tea latte is sweeter than the coffee latte but not by a lot. The drink menu is quite expansive with original drinks and cocktails but so far I've tried their tea latte, chrysanthemum tea, one of the donut sundaes, their cafe latte, and the Yamanaka Pudding (a dessert specialty of theirs). All were very good but being someone who likes to bake and having tried the best homemade breads and pastries (I'm sorry I'm bragging lol), I'm quite picky with my desserts so my opinion is quite biased lol. If you go, I definitely recommend the lattes because (1) the taste of course and (2) the cute latte art. Plain coffee starts at around 500 yen and the lattes are 650 yen. Honestly so worth it because just one drink and you get unlimited water refills lol. Each time I've gone, I've stayed for longer than two hours but never felt un-welcomed by the staff who kindly refilled my water each time long after I finished my drink~
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the pudding a solid 7. The sweetness was just right and I think I would compare it to creme brulee except a little more liquid-y than I would have preferred. But bonus points for cute presentation👍
In terms of other foods I haven't tried any of their lunch or dinner items. From what I've seen (and smelled) they have Japanese fusion fare and some pasta dishes. Lunch sets are generally cheaper ranging from 1000 yen to 1800 yen and dinner sets can range from 1500 yen to around 3000 yen (the most expensive steak dish, I think?) Maybe if I come again I'll try but honestly I'm not too tempted because there's so much good Japanese food that I can't find in the states. I didn't come to Asia to eat western food... 😉
Taking advantage of the free wi-fi... so necessary...
This cafe is conveniently located about 5 min (walking) from the Kichijoji Station which has the JR Chuo Line. Kichijoji is such a gem in Tokyo with so many hidden cafes and unique little shops to explore around the station. Definitely recommend!!!
〒180-0003 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺南町２−１１−３
❤️
