01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Stepping inside past an exterior wrapped in climbing greenery, guests are met by the low hum of a radio and the intimate scale of a classic Japanese coffee-and-dining room. Semolina, set in Negishi in Taito Ward, is a long, slender kissaten with just a few counter seats and 2 tables, run single-handedly by its senior owner.
Traditional Katsu Curry and Western-Style Plates
The heart of the menu revolves around comforting Japanese-style curries. The leading order is the katsu curry, which pairs a thinly cut, hand-sliced breaded cutlet with red fukujinzuke pickles and a bowl of hot soup. Diners can also choose fried prawn curry with bite-sized prawns, beef curry, seafood curry, or a hearty katsudon bowl, depending on how substantial a lunch they are after.
Tender Pasta Classics
The pasta selection leans on thick, soft spaghetti with an unmistakably nostalgic bite. Alongside the perennial ketchup-tossed Napolitan, the kitchen turns out a straightforward meat sauce full of savory mince, cod roe spaghetti, and curry spaghetti tossed directly in curry sauce. Freshly brewed coffee is available after the meal, rounding out the relaxed cafe experience.
Because every dish is prepared to order by the lone proprietor, food takes a little time to emerge, but the unhurried atmosphere of an undisturbed Showa-era room makes the wait part of the pleasure. Payment is in cash only, making it an easy, unpretentious stop during a stroll through the neighborhood.
