These days, I often feel nostalgic for the classic commercial, “Afternoon snack is with Bunmeido~.” Missing it a little, I decided to have tea alone on a weekday evening at Bunmeido Cafe Higashi-Ginza branch (文明堂カフェ 東銀座店). Located closer to Tsukiji, this store has a retail space on the first floor where you can buy a variety of sweets, including their famous Castella. To access the café, you take the spiral staircase on the left after entering. Right next to Ginza Kabukiza Theatre.
The interior is stylish with white ceilings, tables, and chairs. From the windows, you can see the hustle and bustle of Higashi-Ginza. This 120-year-old establishment certainly has a modern touch.
Bunmeido’s sweets, like Castella and Dorayaki, are reimagined as desserts. These are quite filling, making them perfect as a light dinner substitute. From 11 AM to 2 PM, they offer lunch sets with dessert starting at ¥1,700. Their pancakes are especially popular.
You can add the “Little Sweets Set” for ¥700 with a drink or ¥500 with a meal.
Craving a fruit sandwich, I opted for the Castella Fruit Sandwich. It came with a drink (I chose tea) and a seasonal sorbet – strawberry this time.
Fluffy Castella slices encase fruits and whipped cream. The cream, enhanced with yogurt, is refreshingly light, balancing the sweetness and density of the Castella. The fruits – banana, strawberry, and kiwi – make it feel more like a dessert than a typical fruit sandwich.
The seasonal sorbet has a pleasant icy texture and the tanginess of strawberries, providing a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sandwich.
The tea is served in a pot, providing enough for about three cups. And yes, there’s plenty of milk.
Bunmeido Cafe also has a Ginza Branch at Exit Melsa on Chuo Street. Depending on your plans, you can choose between the two locations. The Higashi-Ginza branch is especially convenient if you’re visiting Kabukiza Theatre!
About
Name Bunmeido Cafe Higashi-Ginza branch (文明堂カフェ 東銀座店)
Open Day through evening
Reservation Available
Credit card Available
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