Kissaten

A kissaten (喫茶店), literally a "tea-drinking shop," is a Japanese-style tearoom that is also a coffee shop. Kissaten are particularly popular among students and business people, particularly salarymen, for breakfast.

By law kissaten are able to serve sweets and tea, but almost all will also serve coffee, sandwiches, spaghetti, and other light refreshments, as well as curry rice or set meals at lunchtime. In urban areas salarymen and students frequent kissaten for breakfast where they might have "morning service" (mooningu saabisu) of thick toast, boiled or fried eggs, a piece of ham or bacon, and a cup of coffee.

In Japan there is a distinct difference between cafes (kafe) and kissaten. The design and atmosphere of kafe is usually aimed at younger people or women, whereas kissaten are small, older establishments.

There is also the very modern phenomenon of the manga kissa, which is a version of the kissaten but with video games, manga and vending machines instead of coffee.

See also