Japan’s breakfast culture is full of unique traditions, but one of its most intriguing customs is Nagoya’s Morning Service—a free breakfast served with your coffee. And luckily, Komeda’s Coffee brings this tradition to Taiwan, making it one of my favorite spots for a cozy meal.
Welcome to Weekly Notes #2, where I explore life’s simple joys, delicious food traditions, and why I can never resist free breakfast.
Komeda’s Coffee – Bringing Japan’s Breakfast Culture to Taiwan
Komeda’s Coffee is one of my favorite Japanese coffee shops, and luckily, there’s a location near where I live. The reason I love it? The free breakfast!
This tradition, known as Morning Service, is popular in Nagoya’s breakfast culture. At many kissaten (喫茶店, traditional Japanese cafes), ordering a drink in the morning comes with a complimentary breakfast. Depending on the café, you might receive: ✅ Thick toast (Texas toast style) ✅ Boiled egg ✅ Salad with yogurt ✅ Red bean paste (Ogura paste)
It’s a simple but brilliant concept—a great way to enjoy a cozy breakfast without spending extra.
Where Did This Breakfast Culture Begin?
While Nagoya is famous for its Morning Service, its origins trace back to Ichinomiya city, which was known for its textile industry.
Since factory machines were too noisy for business meetings, textile workers gathered at cafes instead. Because these meetings took forever, clever café owners started offering free eggs and peanuts to keep customers around longer. Over time, this evolved into the free breakfast service still found in Nagoya today.
Recreating Nagoya’s Breakfast Culture at Home
Komeda’s Coffee serves one of the most iconic Japanese breakfasts—Ogura Toast, a delicious combination of red bean paste and butter on thick toast.
If you want to enjoy the Nagoya-style breakfast at home, here’s how to make your own Ogura Toast with minimal effort:
How to Make Ogura Toast & Butter Balls at Home
🍞 Step 1: Toast a thick slice of Texas toast (or any thick bread—just don’t burn it!). 🧈 Step 2: Add two butter balls—because why not? 🍡 Step 3: Spread red bean paste (Ogura paste) generously on top. 🥚 Step 4: Optional—serve with a boiled egg or a small side salad for the full Nagoya experience.
It’s easy, delicious, and makes breakfast extra special—even without a trip to Japan!
Amazon Finds to Make Nagoya’s Breakfast at Home
If you want to experience Japanese breakfast culture at home, here are some Amazon finds to help you bring the Morning Service experience to your kitchen:
🥄 Red Bean Paste – Authentic Ogura Paste (Morinaga Ogura An / Morinaga Ogura An (12 pack) )
🍞 Texas Toast – Thick Cut for Perfect Ogura Toast (Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White Bread, Thick Sliced)
🧈 Butter Balls – Smooth & Creamy (Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter / Butterball Farms Salted Butter)
🥚 Japanese Green Teat – Japanese Green Tea Co. Aracha Gokuzyo Japanese Green Tea Bags (50 Pack)
Because if free breakfast isn’t an option, making it yourself is the next best thing!
What’s Next?
That’s it for Weekly Notes #2! Whether you’re dreaming of Nagoya-style breakfast, love visiting Japanese restaurants, or just here for the coffee-and-toast nostalgia, thanks for stopping by.
If you enjoy discovering unique food cultures, subscribe for more! Weekly Notes has only just begun, and there’s plenty more delicious finds ahead. 🍞☕
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If you love exploring Japanese breakfast culture, don’t miss my Great Gift Ideas for Onigiri Lovers – Cute and Totally Rice-tastic article—where I dive into the charm of these delicious rice balls and the perfect gifts for onigiri enthusiasts! 🍙✨
