Nagoya’s Famous Ogura Toast!

When you think of Nagoya, what foods come to mind?

Fried shrimp?

Or perhaps nikomi stew?

Or chicken wings, Moriguchi-zuke pickles, or miso katsu?

They are all delicious, aren’t they?＾＾

I have visited Nagoya several times and tried most of its well-known specialties, but there was still one iconic item I had yet to have.

It was ogura toast, said to be served as part of the morning set at coffee shops.

This is the famous ogura toast. The combination of crisp toast and the smooth, creamy texture is wonderful.

I had been thinking I would try it the next time I went to Nagoya, when I heard that Nishihara Coffee, a well-known Nagoya coffee shop, had recently opened in Tokyo.

I simply had to go, so I paid it a visit right away.

The shop was in Nihonbashi Hamacho, very close to the Sumida River.

I hear there is usually quite a wait to get in, but since I visited in the evening, I was fortunate enough to be seated without any trouble.

The interior was done in chic black, with a design reminiscent of an old sleeper train.

That must be why I felt at ease the moment I walked in.

Someone who has also visited the main shop in Nagoya told me that the Tokyo branch has the same prices and flavors as the Nagoya shop.

It may look like a blackboard in the photo, but it is actually black leather. It is so stylish to have the menu written on beautifully tanned leather.

The fifth-generation owner likes coffee with bitterness and depth, so he ordered a Mandheling.

And as for my beloved sweets… the house-special Nishihara pudding, of course, then the signature Nishihara cheesecake, then baked cheesecake, and Rochers de Macadamia…

No, no—before all that, I had to order Nagoya’s famous ogura toast!

As usual, my eyes had gone straight to the sweets. (Oops!)

And of course, I had them add whipped cream to the ogura toast.

Before I knew it, the table was filled with so many delicious-looking items that you would wonder who was going to eat them all!

Even though I had ordered everything myself, seeing it all gathered on the table was overwhelming. (Oops!)

First, the ogura toast.

The smooth ogura bean paste and whipped cream on the nicely toasted bread created the most wonderful harmony, and I devoured it in no time.

It certainly deserves to be one of Nagoya’s representative specialties.

Now for the sweets I had been waiting for ♡

The firm pudding was coated in slightly bitter caramel and topped with vanilla ice cream.

Recently, more and more shops have been serving this kind of firm pudding.

Rich pudding is delicious, after all.

The Nishihara cheesecake had a texture somewhere between a no-bake cheesecake and a baked one.

I had actually wanted to order the no-bake cheesecake as well and compare all three varieties, but unfortunately it was sold out…

Before I realized it, I was so absorbed in eating that I had completely forgotten about my coffee.

It was terribly rude of me, especially when they had taken the trouble to brew such delicious coffee.

It had cooled a little, but it still had wonderful richness and aroma—delicious!

I feel I caught a glimpse of the high level of Nagoya’s coffee culture.

I had certainly eaten too much, so I decided to take a little walk afterward.

The Sumida River flows just outside the shop, so I walked steadily downstream along the promenade.

Perhaps it was high tide—the water had come right up to my feet.

Next time, it would be lovely to come for a morning set and then take a walk along the river afterward.

Today was a thoroughly satisfying visit to a Nagoya-style coffee shop.