Gundam Cafe

[Original Travel Date: 12/01/2013]

I have not really been keen on the idea of themed cafes, especially since many of them are often maid cafes.  However when my college friend asked me if we could go to the Gundam Cafe, given our mutual interest in the anime, it didn’t seem like it would be too bad.  In fact, it turned out to be quite a fun experience, making me more open to trying out themed cafes from now on.

The Gundam Cafe itself is located in Akihabara, and has a clean, modern feel to its design.  Although it’s well-furnished with Gundam paraphernalia, including a store attached to the side of the cafe, it is not overdone.  Original cels and autographs from voice actors, etc. adorn the walls.  And in several locations there are TVs that play scenes from various anime series.

The menu also was both (fairly) reasonably priced and entertaining.  It was quite busy given that it was the weekend but we managed to get a table pretty quickly.  We both ordered curry dishes, which were shaped in the form of a Zaku and the Gundam Seed Destiny model of the Freedom.  We were definitely entertained by the creative plating, and that some of the plates even had designs that became visible as you finished eating.

For those who don’t have time to sit down at a table, or wait to be seated as on prime weekends it can take as long as an hour to get in, the Gundam Cafe also sells Haro-shaped manjuu meat buns.  The buns come in two colors, green and pink, so naturally there are two flavors to choose from (pork with salt and curry).  It’s not a bad option if you still want a taste of the Gundam Cafe while you explore the rest of Akihabara.