Streamer Coffee, Shinsaibashi in Chuo-ku, Osaka
One of the best examples of Osaka’s many “cool kid” coffee places (and genuinely so), Streamer Coffee is quickly my favorite of the bunch. As of the wiring of this review, I have been several times now. And as we work on our list of the best coffee roasters in Osaka, Streamers is very solidly a part of that list.
The proper name for this location is Streamer Coffee Company Shinsaibashi (ストリーマー コーヒーカンパニー 心斎橋店). The name says “Shinsaibashi,” but Google will tell you that this Streamer is in Nishishinsaibashi, in a hip shopping district, maybe two blocks north of the dirty hangout that is Osaka’s Triangle Park.
Simple, minimal interior. Concrete floors, with some well-worn, inlaid hardwood. Exposed steel beams in the ceiling, painted white. Two areas of counter-top seating (divided by the entrance to the shop), where you can watch the shoppers stroll. Another counter, facing the wall, where you might soak up some juice from one of their many power outlets (generously provided). There is a big wooden community table, a long comfortable bench-couch concoction, along with several deep leather seats.
The coffee is high-end, but the vibe is relaxed; no rush, no pretention. Very comfortable; a place to be cool and to look cool. From a conversation with the owner, the motto was brought to my attention.
“Magic in Every Cup.”
— Streamer Coffee Company
As you roll up to order something to drink, you are presented with an array of options; things to drink, and plenty to eat as well.
There is coffee, of course. They lead with the latte, and that “swirl” is their signature. As you peruse the coffee menu, you may be tempted by a bounty of baked goods…
If you know this blog, you know we love bakeries (my bag was already stuffed with something from Utsubo Bakery Panera), and the selection at Streamer was irresistible. I picked up a brick of chocolate fudge brownie (more below), and a chocolate-on-chocolate cookie that (may have some marsh mellow baked into it – that is TBD, and eaten, later).
As for coffee, I asked for a recommendation. I suggested drip, but the guy behind the counter said, “dame-yo.”
He suggested latte. I said “futsu.” We settled on an Americano.
Take a look at that crema. That oily, crema-top on each cup is something I specifically learned to love in this very shop. When I make my morning cup at home (on my Moka Pot), I wish I could get that espresso-powered cream. I will hint now at another of my favorite coffee locations in central Osaka; Brooklyn Roasting Company in Kitahama also does a thick, oily Americano that always hits the spot.
(As a side note: I was taught the word “crema” by Terry, the owner of Streamer, when I told him how much I love his Americano. I have had the pleasure of meeting him, a couple times now, at the Streamer Coffee in Omotesando, Shibuya, Tokyo.)
The coffee was thick, with the beans finely ground and suspended in each gulp. I expected to see evidence of the grind in the bottom, as I finished, but I mostly did not. Straightforward and satisfying. As for that traditional, plan “coffee shop” cup – I like that too.
If I had not been so difficult, and had accepted the latte, I likely would have had an artistically-spun patten in the foam – something to look forward next time. (Some time after I wrote this review, I did have a Streamer’s latte, at the Aksasaka Streamer Coffee in Tokyo.)
While this review was published some days after my first visit, it comes from my notes. Here is a detail I wrote later that same day:
UPDATE: I cracked open that brownie. Ouuu, damn. Many brownies make the mistake of trying to be fancy – they take the cocoa percentage up too high, or add a liquor taste which strips it of its youthful bounce – but not Streamer. That brownie was simple, sweet, with that unleavened flakey quality without being too dry. Another hit; Perfectly done.
On my first visit, there was some warm, bedroom bass playing on a set of powerful little speakers, set together, like twins, on a rack by the counter; there is always good music playing. The staff are tatt’d up, relaxed, attentive. There are skateboards – both new and branded, as well as old, and chewed up – on the walls.
What’s not to like?
I am often wired after a cup of coffee, but not in this moment. Osaka’s Streamer Coffee made a busy Wednesday morning feel like a Sunday.
Streamer Coffee Company is a fantastic local spot, in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Japan. It is also the Osaka cornerstone of a “coffee empire” that includes something like 20 shops in Japan (and one in the Hollywood, CA, USA). The Stream Coffee Company Tenma Warehouse is another Osaka project, that is now closed. As we learn more about other Kansai Streamer Coffee locations, we’ll share what we know.
Great spot. Recommended.