I casually stepped into Kohikan after discovering they served Napolitan. Napolitan is a Japanese-style pasta dish known for its tomato ketchup-based sauce. It combines spaghetti with green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and ham or sausage, creating a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. Born in post-war Japan as Western-style cuisine developed, it is cherished as a retro, nostalgic dish.
Many people might associate pasta with Italian restaurants, and I also prefer pasta that’s cooked with a bit of firmness. But Napolitan is different. Especially at coffee shops, where it’s often served with soft, fully-cooked spaghetti, it feels just right. The taste of coffee shop Napolitan isn’t exactly Italian—it’s uniquely Japanese.
Sometimes, I crave that coffee shop Napolitan. It’s best enjoyed at a coffee shop rather than an Italian restaurant. Italian restaurant Napolitan is pasta done properly. Coffee shop Napolitan is different—it’s thoroughly cooked, with no “al dente” pretense.
There’s a Kohikan, a coffee shop chain, near the local station, inside a supermarket. Drawn in by their sign for Napolitan, I decided to give it a try. I ordered the charcoal-brewed coffee and Napolitan.
Soon, a small salad and coffee arrived.
When ordering, I was asked when I’d like my coffee, and I replied, “after the meal.” Yet here it was, served before the meal.
A little later, the Napolitan arrived.
It included shimeji mushrooms, along with the usual bacon, green peppers, and onions. It was rich and flavorful, without the cloying taste of ketchup that can sometimes be overwhelming.
On its own, Napolitan can feel a bit greasy, but paired with coffee, they complement each other beautifully. I don’t know the history of why coffee shops started serving Napolitan, but it feels like a perfect match—perhaps it was destined to be.
It’s not something I’d eat often, but every now and then, I crave it. That’s the kind of flavor it has.
