01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
When you want an afternoon break with something sweet, the homemade cakes at Arumu, a kissaten coffee shop in Nagasaki, Toshima, come readily to mind. The gateau chocolat has a moist texture and a modest portion size that feels just right for tea time. Paired with a house blend, the coffee's gentle bitterness and deep roasted notes cut cleanly through the rich chocolate, creating the calm rhythm of an old-school cafe stop. The homemade cheesecake is another house staple worth lingering over alongside a hot cup.
Beyond its sweets, Arumu is well-liked for its hearty breakfast and lunch menus. Morning service, available until midday, features thick slices of toast—either topped with jam or served alongside bacon and eggs—paired with hot coffee, black tea, or milk. Midday lunch brings traditional kissaten fare: spaghetti Napolitan, spaghetti meat sauce, and "spaghetti white" cooked with bacon and vegetables in a light Japanese-style seasoning, alongside dishes like ginger pork (shogayaki) and pilaf. Served with miso soup and salad, these meals deliver the comforting satisfaction of a neighborhood teishoku lunch.
Friday visits bring special lunch features such as house curry rice and crisp fried chicken tenders (tatsuta-age), giving regular diners a weekly treat to anticipate. The interior is well-kept and entirely non-smoking, filled with quiet background music where solo guests can unwind undisturbed. From an early morning thick-cut toast to an afternoon cake set, it remains an easy, comforting refuge for daily sustenance.
