Mountain

A towering swirl of soft-serve ice cream anchors the cream anmitsu at Mountain, offset by glossy sweet red bean paste, cubes of agar jelly, and colourful fruit. It is the signature dessert of this Asakusa kissaten, showcasing carefully chosen Japanese ingredients: rich dark kuromitsu syrup from Okinawa, simmered azuki beans from Hokkaido, and clear agar crafted from Izu Islands seaweeds. Every spoonful balances mellow chill and deep, unctuous sweetness. For those seeking variations, the green "Midori Anmitsu" pairs the same accompaniments with Uji matcha soft serve, while traditional zenzai layered with chewy shiratama rice dumplings rounds out an extensive wagashi selection.

Equally beloved is the house ogura hotcake, an indulgent take on pancakes drenched in a generous, soup-like ladle of sweet azuki beans reminiscent of oshiruko. Eaten together with light, fluffy cream, the simple pancake sponge drinks up the gentle sweetness of the red beans, pairing naturally with a cup of hot black coffee. The drinks list stays true to vintage coffeehouse tradition, featuring vibrant retro melon cream sodas crowned with a maraschino cherry and scoop of ice cream, as well as oversized jumbo coffees.

Savory kissaten staples provide a comforting counterpoint, led by steaming plates of classic Neapolitan spaghetti coated in a thick, tangy ketchup sauce over plump, chewy noodles. Stained-glass panels catch the light across the warm, wood-toned interior, where roomy booth seats offer an unhurried respite from exploring the busy surrounding streets.