Restaurant Review: Ginza Bunmeido Cafe (Tokyo, Japan)

Ginza Bunmeido Cafe

The renowned Bunmeido is a chain of pastry and tea houses known for its castella cake and other Western-style sweets. 

Since 1900, the original Bunmiedo store from Nagasaki has been making the castella cake. 

This Japanese honey sponge cake, also known as the kasutera, was originally imported by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. 

It is made of sugar, eggs, flour, and malt syrup. They have 3 varieties - plain, honey and macha green tea. Traditionally, it is tasted  simply with a cup of Japanese green tea.

Dining Area

Beef Curry and Rice

Spaghetti Neapolitan

Though desserts seemed to be the star attraction, this second floor Western-style café, which can seat about 30 pax, also has a lunch (11 AM – 2 PM) menu with a la carte Western cuisine including the Bunmeido Hayashi Rice (rice with beef in a rich demi-glaze sauce, ¥1,200) and sandwiches.

L-R: Cheska, Kyle and Bryan

Yakitake Mikasa Pancake

Mixed Sandwiches

We ordered their Beef Curry and Rice (¥1,200), their East/West-influenced Yakitate Mikasa Pancake (¥1,500), Mixed Sanwiches (¥1,100) and the Spaghetti Neapolitan (¥1,200). 

The latter was an excellent Japanese interpretation of what is an Italian pasta but nevertheless was really good.  The café was a great spot for a quick break or a light meal and the staff were friendly and attentive.

L-R: the author, Jandy and Grace

At the ground floor is the pastry shop where you can take out, aside from castella, purin (Japanese pudding), dorayaki (Japanese red bean pancake), baumkuchen (German variety of spit cake) and more. Perfect for those who just want to grab and go.

 

The pastry display case

Ginza Bunmeido Cafe: 2/F, 13-11, 4-Chome, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Tel: +81-3-3545-0006.  Open daily, 10 AM – 7 PM.