August Moon Cafe

Cozy Cups #1 - Strong contender for best hot chocolate in Tokyo

I have been on a quest to find the best hot chocolate since moving to Japan and I am pleased to announce that we might have found our very first nominee! On a cold and rainy evening when all cafes close by 8pm I was searching for a cafe to study in while my partner goes off to practice. I was looking for cafes around the Hamacho station and found this hidden gem with pretty good ratings and late time timings. The cafe is on the main road and stays open up till 11PM. It has a very chill vibes with retro church music playing and long wooden tables with seating like a bar. The barista is quick and skillful to whip up your order and other than that quietly non-existent which gives you all the head space to your work. The menu is limited to just a page of beverages served hot or cold like the regular americano, expresso, latte, hot chocolate and some exotic ones like spiced chai and organic ginger ale. They do serve baked goods like cookies, brownies and carrot cake. I ordered the hot chocolate which as suggested by the title of this article was one if the best I've tried in Japan yet. I do have very high standards when it comes to hot cocoa and this felt more authentic that the usual instant cocoa powder mixed in with hot water combination I've mostly come across. Whole milk was used and a smooth silky cocoa which made a huge difference. It was dusted off with cocoa powder on top. I had also ordered a double chocolate cookie was was a bit off because I could still feel the crunch of the sugar crystals in it?? How did they not melt during the baking process??!? The quest for chunky chewy cookies shall continue.....