Pelican Café Asakusa

Pelican Café is connected to Pan no Pelican, an Asakusa bakery established in 1942. At the Kotobuki café, that baking craft reaches the table in a simple form: its close-crumbed white loaf is cut thick and slowly grilled over charcoal. This is not an expansive brunch menu but a focused way to taste the bread that made the bakery a neighbourhood name.

The three-centimetre toast arrives crisp outside and soft within, with butter and jam. The official menu also lists ham and egg, cheese, seasonal fruit or anko toast, plus a ham-cutlet sandwich, soup and salad. House coffee makes it an uncomplicated breakfast before walking towards Sensō-ji. Public feedback praises the bread and smoky toast, while also mentioning queues and a dining room that fills up, particularly at weekends.

The café opens Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 5 pm, with last orders then; it closes on Wednesdays and Sundays. Today's toast and sandwich begin at 11 am, except Saturday, when the full menu is available from opening. Find it at 3-9-11 Kotobuki, about five minutes on foot from Tawaramachi, Asakusa or Kuramae stations. If Sensō-ji is next, allow for the walk and do not assume a table will be immediately available at busy times.