CHAI central
I've noticed over the years, that a lot of my best journal writing happens when I'm slow-sipping chai. There comes a certain level of serenity, of open-chakra truthfulness, and simmering memories delightful of sitting by the early morning Ganges way up North in Rishikesh. I used to visit Cante chai shop in the underground Namba City after school each Thursday on the way home to my rural village remote. I used to sit in the same seat, order a chai or two (which is half price at this location only from about 15:00 – 18:00 even now), and write. I had somehow created a time each week to just sit in the moment and feel what was. It was certainly a joyous ritual real.
As a complete city-gal now, I can just cycle to the various Cante chai shop locations dotted about Osaka any time I wish.
Shop locations are listed here in Japanese.
From the top,
1. Nakatsu Main branch
2. E-ma building
3. Maru Biru underground
4. Breadshop Cante
5. Hankyu 3-Bangai underground
6. Namba City underground
7. and the new Utsubo Park location
All locations are busy busy busy on the weekends. I was trying to get a seat for one at the recently refurbished and extremely spacious 5th floor E-ma building location (just across from MaruBiru past Tully's) the other rainy Sunday around 5pm., but couldn't get in. The buzz and energy of a full house can certainly be powerful if you are in the right mood for it.
The underground Marubiru shop is fairly cosy, as is the Hankyu and Namba city locations. The recently opened Utsubo Park branch is just lovely in its expansive spaciousness with a glorious direct view of the green in the park. During the day it is full of light, and in the evening it glows golden.
Pan Cante and Marubiru Cante are easy to find on the B2 level. Just take the escalators down from MaruBiru Starbucks and voila there you are!
There is a great assortment of original and very reasonably priced bread and cake-y bread delights at Pan Cante. The 4, 5 and 6 sliced loaves of Genmai bread (around 250 yen), have fabulous old chunky thick crusts memorable that make you want to eat it fresh right then and there out of the bag. Another choice is to sit down at the cosy indoor tables with your bread selection, and order a chai.
For the full effect of what Cante wishes to achieve, the atmospheric Nakatsu store is the absolute highlight. This main branch of Cante is big, colourful, exotic, powerful, eclectic, natural, sparkly and completely sensual. It's about a 15 minute walk from Umeda, and located on a corner next to a big shrine complex. The shop is difficult to miss with the wildly overgrown green life-force canopy of mini-jungle vibe pulsing.There are Tibetan prayer flags, fairy lights, and seasonal flowers wishing your welcome.Walk down into the labyrinth of the moulded garden with Hindu Goddess Kali figurines, huge ferns, mini pixies, pink flamingos and if you are very lucky, you might even spy the resident Cante cat, Shiro-chan hiding or sleeping.
The shop glows with Kryptonite Kilowatts. There are a variety of seats, nooks, angles, corners and positions of privacy. You can sit out near the sky-high front windows with soft low lighting, or the brighter back room. The ceilings are way above, the furniture is randomly blended, and the positioning of pot plants is calming and rejuvenative.
Chai choices are around 550 yen, and include anise, ginger, mint, cardamon and masara blends. The range of lassi mixes are also particularly refreshing and soothing.
The cake variety is abundant and adorably presented.
Lunch is from 11:-00 - 14:00 daily with a variety of sets to choose from (includes a drink). Prices range from 1250 - 1550 yen. A dessert add-on for 350 yen more is also possible.
Weekday Choices are here.
Weekend choices are here.
If you are not offered them, ask for the 50 yen off food and drink coupons which can be used at any Cante chai shop (not at Cante Breadshop though) on your next visit.
The Nakatsu branch is popular with ladies in pairs, Mums and daughters, and of course it's an essential date place. There is much to make you feel new textures and channels of opportunity. It's a good place to talk your deep and meaning-fuls, catch up with power friends, read a book in the corner, or perhaps sketch your next life stepping.
After your meal, you can explore the attached shop to buy your own tin of Cante chai, cheap Indian incense, Bollywood style accessories, Bindi stickers, Henna sets, Indian-styled noren, or perhaps some sanskrit wooden stamps.
A map for the Nakatsu Cante Grande is here in Japanese.
Enjoy discovering your favourite Cante.
Perhaps it will inspire you to finally take that trip to India?
Wouldn't that be marvelous!
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