uka | Total Beauty Brand uka Opens Cafe "ukafe"

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Nourishing Body and Soul

Total Beauty Brand uka Opens Cafe 'ukafe'

uka has opened an organic cafe on the second floor of Tokyo Midtown. It's called 'ukafe'. This is a new style of cafe designed for busy, convenience-seeking, and ambitious women, offering nourishment for both body and soul, and serving as a space for new encounters, ideas, and information.

Text by Harumi SomeyaPhoto by ukafe

Transforming from Within──In Other Words, 'Eating'

The total beauty brand 'uka', with its concept of being 'the place with the most joy in the world', continues to offer various forms of beauty. The highest quality techniques and hospitality provided in a comfortable space bring satisfaction to many. Last year, they launched their first product, a nail oil, teaching the importance of self-care along with the exquisite scent of essential oils.
Now, uka has opened a cafe.

Why would a beauty brand like uka open a cafe? The truth is, there was a very natural progression leading to this.

uka has always offered total beauty services, from hair and nails to head spas, esthetics, and even false eyelashes, all under one roof. Throughout this, they consistently felt that beauty is not just about external appearance, but also about transforming from within.

Transforming from Within──In other words, it's about 'eating'. To become more beautiful from the inside, they wanted to support the small, manageable daily efforts that lead to this. This desire grew, and this spring, ukafe was born.

At the joyous launch, which fulfills a long-held dream, uka PR representative Chihiro Takahata said, 'The organic cafe 'ukafe' has opened on the second floor of Tokyo Midtown Galleria, the same floor as the uka beauty salon.'
You can now beautify yourself at the uka salon and soothe your stomach and soul with ukafe's organic food.──This is now a possible way to spend your time. uka representative Kiho Watanabe proposes a new concept of total beauty: inner beauty through eating beautifully. Please feel free to visit us, whether alone or with a lively group.

Carefully Selected Ingredients and Seasonings, a Comfortable Space, and uka's Signature Surprises!

What sets ukafe apart is its commitment to ingredients and seasonings. They have established a sourcing system that prioritizes organic, low-pesticide, semi-organic, transparently processed, traceable, additive-free, and non-GMO ingredients as much as possible. With the intention of sharing this information with customers, they plan to provide details about their sourcing, such as from contracted farms, on their website in the future.

Of course, their dedication extends beyond vegetables. For example, the eggs are free-range, naturally fertilized eggs, and the salmon roe is a premium product from Alaskan salmon, seasoned only with salt to suit Japanese palates. For tea, they use organic tea leaves from Yamaheien in Shizuoka Prefecture, and to ensure all nutrients like catechins and Vitamin C are fully absorbed by the body, ukafe prepares both black and green tea in powdered form.

The menu also features ukafe's unique surprises. You can choose a half-and-half option of brown and white rice, enjoy flavored coffee with organic vanilla spray, or try sparkling junmai sake – a lineup of healthy and unique dishes. During dinner and bar time, complimentary snacks like nuts and chocolates are also served.

Clean tables and comfortable chairs. The walls feature art by art director Suguru Hirano, who works from Paris, New York, and Tokyo, adding an extra layer of tranquility to the relaxing space.

The view from the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows is also superb. The counter, where you can comfortably dine alone, seems perfect for a leisurely late lunch. Wireless internet access is also available (Docomo Public Wireless LAN Service, HOPSPOT), making it suitable for business use as well.

The cafe also sells carefully selected products chosen by ukafe producer Kiho Watanabe and Suguru Hirano. Currently, they offer a variety of items including unique flavored organic teas from 'KOBBS' (Sweden), organic vanilla sourced from around the world by 'Marivani' (France), and organic cotton towels from 'HIPPOPOTAMUS' (Japan). They plan to expand their selection as they discover more excellent products, so stay tuned.

Healthy and Delicious! Carefully Selected Food & Drink Menu

Lunch offers a rotating selection of 3-4 dishes, including a daily special! They also announce the latest information on Twitter, so be sure to check it out.

All the dishes are healthy and delicious. Among them, the recommended items are the 'Tamago Kake Gohan (ukafe Gohan)' and the 'Sandwiches', made with luxuriously flavorful, fresh eggs. They are particular about free-range, naturally fertilized eggs, and this ideal egg is used with the desire to serve it fresh. For the most straightforward enjoyment of its flavor, try the Tamago Kake Gohan first. It comes with a hearty miso soup, ensuring a perfect nutritional balance. The sandwiches, though simple, feature a special recipe that maximizes the egg's deliciousness. Served with a generous salad and soup, they are sure to satisfy your hunger.

Tea time sweets also include healthy options made with seasonal fruits and soy milk. The 'Mama Muffin', an original muffin created by Yoko Hashimoto, mother of fashion model Reika Hashimoto, has quickly gained fans with its simple yet lovingly made warm taste, becoming one of ukafe's popular menu items.

During dinner and bar time, they offer a curated selection of organic wines, Japanese sake made without brewing alcohol (junmai), and fruit liquors made with domestic fruits. All are carefully selected beverages, and the reasonable pricing is a welcome bonus. The food menu is also extensive. Dishes featuring seasonal vegetables and natural seafood, prepared simply, pair perfectly with drinks, allowing for a relaxing dinner with loved ones or good friends.

Dinner & Bar Time 'Ikura Don'

After enjoying some drinks, be sure to try the 'Ikura Don'. The salt-cured salmon roe, made from premium Alaskan ikura and cured only with salt by Japanese artisans, is unbelievably delicious. It's a delicacy rarely found elsewhere. Other options include today's pasta and donburi, ensuring that even those who don't drink alcohol or prefer a more substantial meal at night will be satisfied.

ukafe Menu List (Example)

Lunch (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Limited to 20 servings daily: ukafe Gohan with hearty miso soup set (raw egg, rice, hearty miso soup, 2 toppings) ¥950
Egg Sandwich Plate (mini soup, salad or today's side dish) ¥950
Daily Brown Rice Lunch Plate (brown rice, stewed dish, soup, salad or today's side dish) ¥950
Today's Pasta (pasta, soup, mini salad, baguette) from ¥1200, etc.
*Takeout is available for items other than pasta (additional ¥100 to lunch menu price).

Tea Time Sweets (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
Mama Muffin Dessert Plate from ¥500
Tofu Pudding with Brown Sugar Syrup ¥500
Today's Cake from ¥500, etc.

A La Carte (11:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Mama Muffin ¥500
Brown Rice Salad ¥800
ukake Don ¥700, etc.

Dinner & Bar Time (6:00 PM - 11:00 PM) Last Order: Drinks 10:30 PM, Food 10:00 PM
Potatoes and Mushrooms with Rosemary ¥750
Seasonal Vegetable Bagna Cauda ¥1000
Today's Carpaccio with Balsamic Vinaigrette ¥1300
Ikura Don ¥1300, etc.

Organic Wine
Morrell-Vidal Living Earth Chardonnay ¥3000
Mas de Janiny Le Temps des Gitans Rosé ¥3000
Clos des Lumieres ¥10,000
House Wine Red Glass / White Glass ¥600 each, etc.

Non-Organic Alcohol
Terre Blanche Brut (Sparkling Wine) ¥4000
Ise no Shiroki (Sparkling Junmai Sake) Bottle ¥3000
Kirin Lager Small Bottle ¥600, Medium Bottle ¥850
Hideji Beer 'Tsuki' ¥900
Hideji Beer 'Hana' ¥900
Ume-ko (Plum Liqueur) ¥700, etc.

Soft Drinks
Organic Coffee ¥500
Organic Milky Black Tea ¥500
Organic Black Tea (8 types) ¥800 each
Organic Orange Juice ¥600, etc.