Shetland's first Japanese cafe relocates to Glasgow

Glasgow Times

a day ago

On the other side of the counter is a man I recognise from social media as Terence Tsao, who co-founded the original shop in Lerwick alongside Emilu Hasegawa with the aim of bringing a Japanese bakery experience to Shetland.
It's no doubt warmer still working behind the coffee machine, yet Tsao is all smiles as he prepares a couple of iced coffees for takeaway customers in Shawlands.
They've unfortunately sold out of the onigiri croissants (which have been causing a stir on Instagram in the run-up to opening) I'll hear him repeat a few times throughout my visit. But not to worry, there's still plenty of cream-filled matcha cake to go around.
On top of that, there's a pastel-toned menu on each of the tables, listing fluffy pancake dishes for breakfast, sandos and salads prepared in the kitchen by Hasegawa.
I'd imagine there's not much room to spare in the prep area of this small unit on Minard Road, once occupied by Silk Road Deli, but they're coping well with a steady stream of orders.
Struggling in the heat, I decide to investigate the Kagigori shaved ice desserts, which come in a range of three different flavours with toppings like red bean and matcha, or fresh strawberry and crushed Oreos.
Only available to sit in, these cartoonish, colourful creations are heaps of fun and sure to appeal to any young visitors. My choice is inspired by Mount Fuji, with a blue raspberry base that's topped with homemade ice cream to emulate a snowy peak and a scattering of dainty mini mochi balls to finish the whole thing off.
Heed my advice and get stuck in fast, as the delicate ice quickly melts into a pool of slush. Still enjoyable, just an awful lot harder to scoop.
Not wanting to take up a seat for too long on opening week, I ask for my sando to go, leaving a little time to browse a small but brilliant selection of branded Showa merch like t-shirts, tote bags and coffee beans as I wait. The team clearly have an eye for design, echoed in the shop interior that's been kitted out with retro figurines and bold, graphic prints.
"It's a place we've made with care, and we hope you'll feel it the moment you step inside," they previously said after announcing plans to move Showa from Shetland to Glasgow late last year, and they've very much succeeded in this.
Pictured: A takeaway sando from Showa Coffee House in Shawlands (Image: Newsquest)
Resisting the urge to splurge, for now, I walk back out into the sunshine with a takeaway box containing the 'Onsen Egg Hamu Sando'. Thin slices of doughy white bread hold together layers of cheese, ham and a soy-marinated soft-boiled egg sliced through the middle so that its gooey, yellow centre oozes slowly when pressed. With lashings of kewpie mayo and a little crunch from thinly shredded lettuce, it's a solid lunch offering.
I've got my eye on the chicken katsu version for future visits, though the 'beef and egg wee group pancakes' with square sausage, cheese omelette, a touch of golden syrup and a spoonful of beans is hard to ignore.
I can safely say that's the first time I've seen this combination of breakfast items on a menu, and it begs to be investigated.
In Shawlands, where a high concentration of independent coffee shops and cafes can make it difficult to stand out from the crowd, the wonderfully quirky Showa is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
Showa Coffee House is located at 34 Minard Road.
Find them on social media @showacoffeehouse.