Located right in front of Exit 3 of Nishi 18-chome Station on the Tozai Subway Line, you'll find "Chakkal." The calm atmosphere, characteristic of a traditional *jun-kissaten* (old-style coffee shop), gives it a well-aged appearance, but it's actually a relatively new establishment that opened in 2016. However, the owner's meticulous dedication to the *jun-kissaten* ideal permeates every corner of the shop.

Wax food samples line the glass display case at the storefront. Open the door, and you're welcomed into a space filled with nostalgic warmth. The cozy interior is adorned with houseplants, a bookshelf with magazines, and chic, retro-style furniture. It feels like a shop that has been here for decades, but it opened in 2016. This is the owner, Ayako Ishioka's, vision of a "good old-fashioned *jun-kissaten*" brought to life.

The cozy interior has 17 seats in total, including spots for solo customers.

The cafe is loved by a wide range of customers, from students to the elderly, including local residents, office workers on their breaks, and people on dates or killing time before an appointment. "When people ask me, 'How long has this place been here?' or 'Are you the second-generation owner?', I do a little fist pump in my head (laughs). It makes me happy to know that the shop has turned out just as I envisioned," Ms. Ishioka says with a smile.

"Napolitan" 800 yen (large portion +100 yen), drink set +300 yen

The menu is filled with items that make you exclaim, "This is what a *jun-kissaten* is all about!"—from toast and sandwiches made with bread from the famous "Okameya" bakery in Hassamu, Nishi Ward, to beef curry and doria. Among them, the most popular is the Napolitan spaghetti.

The spaghetti is boiled and then rested overnight, giving it a delightfully chewy texture. It's stir-fried with onions, green peppers, and sausage in a special tomato sauce, and finished with tomato ketchup for a fresh acidity. The flavor is rich and deep, perfectly balanced by the sharp kick of coarse-ground black pepper.

"Original Blend" 580 yen

The coffee beans are an original blend sourced from "JINNO COFFEE" in Shinkotoni, Kita Ward. Brewed using a siphon, the coffee has a deep richness and a full-bodied aftertaste. It's a traditional flavor with low acidity that pairs wonderfully with the complimentary mini chocolate. Refills are 100 yen off (applicable to other drinks as well), and you can also purchase the beans for 650 yen per 100g.

You can enjoy watching the coffee being brewed in the siphons on the counter.

In addition, the drink menu is extensive, featuring options like Wiener coffee and café au lait, as well as tea, chai, and soft drinks like melon soda, lemon squash, and strawberry milk. And of course, they have cream soda too.

The lampshades also contribute to the retro atmosphere.

You can feel the spirit of a classic *jun-kissaten* in every detail of the interior, from the handmade stained glass accents to the sturdy, long benches. People spend their time here in their own way—some working on laptops, others quietly sipping coffee while puffing on a cigarette. The space, filled with a sense of nostalgia for "the good old days," can't help but make you feel at ease.

There are also tables for four.

"You can stay for a long time, or just pop in for a quick coffee. The charm of a *jun-kissaten* is that you can use it however you like," says Ms. Ishioka.

*All prices include tax.