Konparu is one of Nagoya’s most famous kissaten (喫茶店) cafe chains known for its authentic retro vibe. Here’s what the original store ‘Konparu Osu Honten (コンパル 大須本店)’ looks like.
Founded in 1947 in Nagoya, Konparu is now a local legend kissaten (喫茶店)-style cafe chain. Kissaten means ‘tea drinking store’ in Japanese although coffee is more popular. Kissaten can be interpreted as “a Japanese cafe with a retro, somehow-hole-in-a-wall vibe”. The name ‘Konparu (金春)’ was named after a famous cafe in China where the founder frequented during WW2. Konparu’s history resembles to the story of RESTAURANT KIEV in Kyoto but Konparu is a 120% Japanese cafe.
The storefront of Konparu Osu Honten.
As soon as I entered the cafe, I was escorted to my table by a veteran maid-looking waiter like it was at a hotel restaurant. At that point, it was beyond time and place. We were definitely not in Kansas.
Ebi fry sandwich. 1100 yen / $8.50.
Konparu Osu Honten didn’t have the yellow brick road but offered Nagoya’s legendary ‘ebi fry sandwich (panko-fried shrimp sandwich / エビフライサンド)’. Between the sandwich’s fluffy Japanese shokupan (食パン) toasts were beautifully constructed layers of an omelet sheet, plump ebi fry, and tartar sauce mixed with shredded cabbage. It was great.
Iced coffee. 480 yen / $3.70.
I washed down the sandwich with Konparu Osu Honten’s iced coffee which was crafted accordingly (according to their menu). The coffee was pleasantly fragrant and strong. It was the perfect break for the Japanese afternoon in crucifying humid summer.
Inside Konparu Osu Honten.
Konparu Osu Honten (コンパル 大須本店) | Menu | 3−20−19 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, 〒460-0011, Japan
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