Japanese Cafe Comfort in the West End
Every day of the week, Denman Mall is a humming community hub in Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood. Anchored by No Frills groceries, a dollar store and the West End Seniors’ Network thrift shop, Denman Mall has something for everyone. And, there’s a perfect east-meets-west place to rest before, during, or after your errands and shopping. With the unusual name ‘93 Coffee’, this Japanese-styled licensed restaurant and coffeeshop is a full-service, family-run gem.
A Cozy Family Business with Japanese Inspiration
93 Coffee is the vision of Rintaro Kawai and his extended family. Missing the feeling of an authentic Japanese cafe, where table service is the norm and the food and beverage selection focuses on great tastes, comforting favourites, and relaxation, Kawai and his family decided to create their own in Vancouver’s West End. We talked to Kawai and asked about 93 Coffee’s start. He explained, “Years ago in Japan, there was a fusion food movement that created Japanese-Western dishes based on curries, spaghetti, parfaits, and au lait drinks. Global cuisine influences were combined with traditional Japanese flavours and preparation techniques, like miso, rice, and donburi. “I missed the distinct Japanese cafe experience, here in Vancouver, and decided to open 93 Coffee with my parents and siblings. Our name is a tribute to our mother, as the meaning of the syllables of her first name is ‘ninety-three’ in Japanese. Really, our cafe’s success, its loyal customer base from across the Lower Mainland, and our excellence in food and drink preparation and service — it’s all because of our mother. We wanted to create the type of place we remembered loving so much from our early years living in Japan,” Kawai said.
Omurice & Sapporo Every Day of the Year
The 93 Coffee restaurant model focuses on long open hours, every day. From Avocado Toast for breakfast — to mid-morning matcha latte — lunch of Teishoku and Omurice — a mid afternoon coffee pick-me-up — dinner of Unagi Don, Napolitan Spaghetti, or Hamburg Curry — and evening sake with an Otsumami set, your day is covered. We all want our favourite cafe to have an extensive and innovative drink menu, and 93 Coffee doesn’t disappoint. You might enjoy herbal tea, matcha, Banana Au Lait, or Melon Cream Soda. A pitcher of Sapporo with friends, sake with dinner, or sparkling wine in the afternoon with a piece of Matcha Tiramisu. The East-meets-West flavour combinations make it hard to decide what to order today — and entice with a great reason to come back again tomorrow!
Cafe Drinks, Hot, Cold & Reviving
With an extensive selection of traditional and specialty drinks and menu items, 93 Coffee is a destination spot for your next treat. The building’s easy parking off of Nelson Street means, rain or shine, combined with shopping, a walk to the beach, or meeting friends, 93 Coffee is ready and waiting for you to arrive. Slip in and slow down for the special Japanese cafe service and delicious flavours this week.