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A sneak peek at the adorable food and awesome merch of the brand-new Let’s Go Pikachu! cafe chain

Casey Baseel Oct 26, 2018
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From lattes with bangs to Hyper Beam ramen, we’re ready to say “Let’s go!”

Fans of the Pokémon series have no doubt got November 16 circled on their calendars, since that’s the release date for Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, the two newest titles in the franchise and also the first to appear on Nintendo’s Switch console. But you don’t have to wait that long to have some fun with the upcoming Pocket Monster installments, since there’s a brand-new mini chain of Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! pop-up restaurants opening in locations across Japan (separate from the permanent Pokémon Cafe in Tokyo, which is awesome in its own ways).

The eateries are the newest tenants of department store Parco’s The Guest Cafe and Diner, which hosts a periodically changing collection of themed restaurants (previous projects have included salutes to anime classic Ranma 1/2 and celebrated director Mamoru Hosoda). Just like the Pokémon: Let’s Go game is a paired release with both Pikachu and Eevee versions, many of the cafe’s menu items ask you to pick between the two popular Pokémon species, such as the baked rice and cheese doria (1,290 yen [US$11.50]), shown directly above and below.

You’ll also need to make the tough Pikachu-or-Eevee choice for the cafe’s pudding (1,390 yen), which is served in an adorably chubby glass, or the eye-catching lattes (790 yen hot, 890 yen iced).

Of course, while Pikachu and Eevee get more time in the spotlight than any other Pokémon, they’re not the only creatures from the franchise with loyal followings. Diners with a soft spot for Dragonite, for instance, can order the Dragonite Hyper Beam Ramen (1,390 yen), which features a salty broth and juicy shrimp dumplings.

For fans with big appetites, the Pewter Gym Beef Stew (1,690 yen) not only comes garnished with an Onix, but also provides you with a gym badge sticker.

Sleepyheads with a sweet tooth will appreciate the Good Night Snorlax Parfait (1,290), which has a string of Zs floating above its snoozing star, and a special Poké Flute spoon to wake him/eat with.

Another deep dive into the series’ lore is embodied with the Ghost’s True Form Sweets Plate (1,490 yen), a cotton candy-like reference to the spirits of Lavender Town’s Pokémon Tower which hides another dessert inside.

Meanwhile, the inspiration for the Team Rocket Cream Puff Plate (1,490 yen) is immediately recognizable to even casual fans, but no less mouthwatering.

And once you’ve eaten your fill, you can wash everything down with a Tomboy Mermaid Misty Pink Soda (990 yen), which also earns you a gym badge…

…or a Lapras Adventure Gelatin Drink (990 yen), in which the gentle giant is accompanied by a small school of Magikarp.

All diners also receive an illustrated placemat to take home, which doubles as a map of the new games’ Kanto Region.

▼ It’s also a nice gesture for old-school game fans who lament the lack of physical maps for modern RPGs.

As is the norm for The Guest’s collaborations, there’s also an attached gift shop, selling all sorts of cute and cool trinkets.

▼ Pin badges and key chains, both from randomized gatchapon vending machines

▼ Smartphone cases and plastic files

Sadly, the Poké Flute spoon doesn’t appear to be available for purchase. There is a special mug, though, and also a T-shirt, which is a relative rarity for Japanese marketing.

▼ The Pikachu and Eevee pawprints are a nice touch.

And if you buy more than you can carry home, don’t worry, because you can also pick up a tote bag to stuff your haul into.

The Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! cafes will open in five cities. The Tokyo branch, located in the Ikebukuro neighborhood, will be in operation from November 9 to January 7, with the remaining locations/dates being:
● Sapporo: October 27-December 25
● Fukuoka: November 2–December 17
● Osaka: November 16–January 29
● Nagoya: November 16-January 14

Restaurant information
Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! Cafe (Tokyo Ikebukuro) / Let’s Go! ピカ・ブイカフェ（東京池袋）
Venue: The Guest Cafe & Diner
Address: Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Minami Ikebukuro 1-28-2, Parco Main Building 7th floor)
東京都豊島区南池袋１丁目２８−２池袋パルコ本館7F
Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website

Related: Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! Cafe Sapporo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya
Featured image: Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! Cafe
Top image: Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! Cafe
Insert images Press release, Let’s Go, Pikachu! Let’s Go, Eevee! Cafe