Get breakfast free when you order a drink—Nagoya’s unique “breakfast culture” for pocket change

▲In Nagoya, you don’t need to spend a lot for breakfast—just order a drink and get toast and sides.

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun in Nagoya, Japan

Taiwan has an abundance of breakfast shops, their density rivaling that of convenience stores, so in the morning, you only have to decide which one to go to. But whentraveling in Japan, if your hotel doesn’t include breakfast, your main options may be limited to convenience stores. Andin Nagoya, there’s a special local breakfast culture: just order a drink, and you’ll get a thick slice of toast and a boiled egg,

some shops even offer all-you-can-eat bread services, so travelers don’t have to worry about breakfast anymore.

▲In downtown Nagoya, most cafés or bakeries display similar signs reading “morning,” and you can enjoy a full meal for just a small amount of money.

▲Ordering a drink and getting a thick slice of toast and a boiled egg is the basic breakfast combo.This kind of breakfast culture in Nagoya is called“morning,”which originally started in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, but later flourished centered around Nagoya. As a result, almost all cafés in the Nagoya area offer this type of breakfast service.

The “morning” service is typically available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Just order a drink, and you’ll get toast and a boiled egg. Depending on the shop, you might also receive salad, fruit, or chawanmushi (steamed egg custard). For around 400–500 yen (approximately NT$116–145), you can enjoy a hearty breakfast.

▲A well-known Komeda Coffee shop in Nagoya.Komeda Coffee (referred to as Komeda hereafter) is a representative shop of Nagoya’s breakfast culture. Since it originated in Nagoya, it has nearly 140 branches within the city alone—you can easily spot one whether you’re in the station underground mall or the bustling shopping districts. Additionally, each branch maintains a retro, nostalgic interior design, which is one of its distinctive features. The only downside is that the seating is divided into smoking and non-smoking sections, both of which are open, so even if you sit in the non-smoking area, your clothes might still pick up a faint whiff of smoke.

▲At Komeda Coffee, you can choose one of three breakfast sets—the ones shown from left to right come with a boiled egg, scrambled egg salad, or sweet red bean paste.

▲The image above shows the scrambled egg salad with toast.

Komeda serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The side dishes that come with the toast are a boiled egg, scrambled egg salad, or sweet red bean paste. Among these,the boiled egg and sweet red bean paste are the most “Nagoya-style” choices.The price of the breakfast depends on the drink you order, ranging between 400 and 550 yen. If you’re still hungry, adding 200 yen will get you a side salad.

▲Another must-try dessert at Komeda Coffee—the ice cream pancake (mini version shown above).

Another popular item at Komeda is the ice cream pancake, known as “Shiro no Wa.” Depending on your choice, you can get either a single or double pancake topped with ice cream. The single pancake comes with one scoop of ice cream, while the double comes with two scoops. The soft, fluffy pancakes paired with rich ice cream create a delightful contrast in textures and flavors, leaving a satisfying aftertaste. If you’re dining alone, it’s recommended to go for the double—it’s more filling. The prices are divided into single and double options. If you’re by yourself, it’s better to choose the double.

Komeda Coffee

The “morning” service is available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
General business hours: Most are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., but hours vary by location
Branch information:http://www.komeda.co.jp/index.php