From the minds behind Ramen Isshin comes a new brunch café offering Japanese-inspired dishes and coffee. Ohiru Café, which opened its doors just a few weeks ago, has already seen much success, evident from the people lining the street to grab a spot.
Owner Jason Matsubara alongside managing partner Maggie Fu and head chef Anthony Chu were inspired to bring a community-style breakfast joint to the Kensington area after they noticed there was nothing quite like it.
The café is bright, modern and sleek. With only around 20 seats, the space feels intimate. Matsubara explains that they are striving to create a space with an atmosphere that is very comfortable.
“We want to showcase an upscale yet enjoyable place while keeping the price point fair,” says Matsubara. “It’s a very welcoming environment and a great place for people to chat,” he says.
Their food menu includes traditional breakfast and lunch foods, but all are created to be unique with a Japanese-style twist. For example, the eggs benny is served with a Yuzu hollandaise and pork belly and the chicken and waffles feature Karaage Japanese fried chicken. Other items include Penne Alla Sake, Udon Carbonara, avocado toast, a Chicken Katsu sandwich and more. Matsubara explains they wanted the food to feel like homey brunch classics with an added twist.
“We wanted to do something different, and I wanted to include my Japanese heritage,” says Matsubara about the inspiration behind the menu. “It’s a very comfortable place to come with family, friends or a significant other to have a coffee and when your food comes out, you’ll be surprised by the flavours and leave with a happy belly,” he says.
Matsubara and his partners are hoping to one day expand their brunch café idea into the GTA, but for now, plan to work hard on this downtown location and move away from their soft opening hours to something more permanent.
At the same location, after the Ohiru Café hours conclude, the space turns down the lights and becomes an intimate speakeasy called Sampo Bar. Keeping with the theme, their menu features small plates of Japanese bar food from Kawakimono (dry snacks) to Shime (last dish of a meal to accompany alcohol). They also specialize in Japanese-style highballs and other cocktails. The space has a cozy feel with light Japanese music and dim candles. Matsubara says they want it to be a chill place for people to chat and hang out after work.
Sampo Bar opens its doors from 6 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. and is closed Wednesdays, while the Ohiru Café is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Tuesdays. You can find both located at 370 College St.
