Ai Ai

Situated opposite the Tokyo Detention House in Katsushika Ward's Kosuge neighborhood, Ai Ai is a long-standing kissaten run by an accommodating hostess. The quiet dining room, dotted with retro accents like an old-fashioned rotary phone, offers an unhurried refuge that has long sustained neighborhood regulars alongside visitors stopping by before or after appointments.

A reassuring choice at lunchtime is the beef curry, served as a set with a side salad and coffee or tea. Packed generously with tender ingredients, it delivers an approachable, deeply satisfying homestyle flavor. Another dependable favorite is the hamburg steak, bathed in a mild sauce with a touch of sweetness that evokes mid-century comfort cooking, served simply with steamed rice and a bowl of wakame seaweed soup.

Lighter choices cover classic Japanese coffeehouse territory, from shrimp pilaf and stir-fried yakisoba to mixed sandwiches and egg toast. To pair with a meal or enjoy during an afternoon pause, the drink list offers plenty of variety, including crisp lemon squash, softly sweetened cocoa, rich milkshakes, and fresh banana juice.

On a quiet weekday afternoon, the shop retains a comforting warmth, ideal for dining solo at an easygoing pace.