Strategic Guide to Cafe and Meal MUJI in Japan

Japan’s MUJI has an international cult following today. From stationery to furniture, MUJI addicts (like ourselves) just can’t do without MUJI in our daily life. It’s been a while since I switched from my ex-most-favorite Ueshima Coffee to Cafe & Meal Muji. Strategic Guide to Cafe and Meal MUJI in Japan.

I love Cafe & Meal MUJI for several reasons. First of all, their food concept is ‘healthy’.  Their dishes and drinks are MUJI original and they are proud of ingredients they use, including the origin of the ingredients in the description of their dishes and drinks.

In fact, they also provide recipes of their dishes and desserts on MUJI Japanese website. Recipes in English don’t seem to be available at the moment, though. Strategic Guide to Cafe & Meal MUJI in Japan:

Love MUJI products but never been to a Cafe & Meal MUJI in Japan? No problem. Here is our quick, strategic guide on how to make the most out of your first visit at a Cafe Muji in Japan. Here is the basic flow you should stick to in visiting a Cafe & Meal Muji.

Step 1: Pick up a small plate*, look for a table and leave the stand on the table.

If there is a queue, you’d want to get in the line first, BUT, at Cafe & Meal Muji, you must secure your table first. You won’t be frowned upon doing this as you are ‘expected’ to get a table first. Before the cashier, you’ll see a pile of small plates with a Japanese kanji word on it. Pick one and place it on your table. Before the cashier, you’ll see a pile of small plates with a Japanese kanji word on it. Pick one and place it on your table.

Step 2: Go and order your meal and drink.

For lunch, you can order a special lunch meal set at the counter. Three deli plate is 850 yen and four deli plate is 1000 yen. Drink, miso soup and gokokumai rice are extras as below. Remember – an upgrade to a large size rice bowl is FREE. Make sure you’ll ask for “oomori (extra large)” when ordering a lunch plate.

If you are not in the mood for a proper meal, why not go for the bakery section and pumper yourself with delicious bread. My personal recommendations are Cafe & Meal MUJI’s No. 1 seller, the pretzel croissant with red bean and the Banana and Chocolate pastry. Remember – you can ask them to warm your pastry at the counter. I normally have them warmed up and they are as fresh as just backed bakery.

Step 3: Pick up your meal and drink and enjoy your lunch/dinner/morning or afternoon tea.

You’ll notice that all the tables and furniture are MUJI products. Each shop has a different variety of furniture. Visiting a Cafe & Meal MUJI is a good opportunity for you to try out their items before you make a purchase.

Step 4: Return the plates, cups etc on your tray to the designated space.

After returning to your plates and cups to the designated area, have a look at the gift section at the entrance. Some of the shops are attached to MUJI Store, but some are not. Still each shop has a gift section where you get to purchase the coffee you’ve just tried.

Not visiting Japan anytime soon? Don’t have a MUJI shop nearby? Take advantage of our MUJI collection at Takaski.