Café Tampopo

Cafe Tampopo’s big sister, Sake Bar & Izakaya, occasionally pampered sando-lovers with Sunday Katsu Sandos. Fortunately, they realized that these pop-ups weren’t enough to satisfy Helsinki’s sando cravings. A Sando is Japan’s gift to the world of sandwiches—a cloud-light, sweet shokupan bread filled with delicious layers. We enjoyed the Chicken Katsu along with the Tamago, which instantly transported me back to my daily breakfast moments in Tokyo. The matcha latte was delicious, and my partner’s Asahi was ice cold. Next time, we’ll try the matcha affogato, Swiss roll, and the Purin pudding we spotted at the neighboring table. (P.S. They also offer gluten-free Sandos!) This cozy little café almost always has a queue, but that’s practically a mandatory part of the perfect Japan-inspired experience.