Chanpu

Step through the door and down the stairs to find Chanpu, a kissaten whose spaghetti menu easily rivals dedicated pasta shops. Far beyond standard tomato and white sauces, the kitchen covers soy-sauce bases, miso seasonings, and fiery preparations, offering plenty to deliberate over upon opening the menu.

Among the standout choices are distinctive plates like fresh green chilli spaghetti, which balances direct heat and savoury notes, and variations incorporating ingredients like squid. Springy noodles coat easily in olive oil, carrying the sharp aroma of fresh chillies into an addictive finish. Other idiosyncratic creations include a mellow, full-bodied miso carbonara, as well as a nostalgic Napolitan with gentle ketchup acidity that lets the tomato sweetness come through, showing careful touches across every plate.

Complementing the noodle dishes is a generous selection of oven-baked gratins, pizzas, and sandwiches. Linger after a meal with a deep-roasted house blend or iced coffee under the muted lighting of the dining room. With alcohol and light bites also on hand, the space shifts naturally from a daytime lunch spot to an easygoing destination for an evening drink.