An international fish cuisine hideaway in a back alley in Imabari What is the charm of "Cafe warm" run by a Brazilian couple?

Cafe warm is an international fish cuisine hideaway tucked away in an alleyway in Imabari. The warm hospitality of the owner and his wife and the fresh seafood make for a blissful experience.

The Secret of Heartwarming Hospitality: The Owner Couple's Encounter and Passion

In mid-September 2016, "Cafe warm" opened in a corner of Imabari's shopping district. The cafe is popular for its delicious set menus using fresh fish and is run by Almeida Menahem Begin and Sou Morisawa, a couple from Brazil.

Sou says she has always loved home parties and "loved entertaining. They came up with the idea for the café after learning that tourists were looking for a place where they could casually eat fish. The couple met in Ireland, where Sou was on a working holiday, and now live in Sou's hometown of Imabari. Sou says with a laugh, "We came along with each other. The cafe run by the cosmopolitan duo is popular among locals, tourists, and cyclists alike.

Fresh fish dishes that change every day: From the market to your table, a plate of specialties

The restaurant's signature dish is a delicious set meal using the freshest fish. Fish purchased from the market every morning is served on the same day. The set menus are reasonably priced, starting at 800 yen, and are loved by local workers as a casual stop for a meal.

The fresh fish store "Uoken" located two doors down from "Cafe warm" is actually Sou-san's family home. This is the reason why the fish for the set menus are fresh and delicious. The menu changes daily depending on the fish lab's stock.

The menu for the day included "Fried Sea Bream with Tomato and Okra Jus Sauce," "Fried Kampachi with Homemade Tartar Sauce," "Grilled Barracuda with Salt," and "Fried Nagoyafugu (blowfish). The fried fish, which is a bit time-consuming to do at home, is popular among the locals.

In addition to the main fish dish, the restaurant serves homemade side dishes and miso soup, and on weekdays, people who work nearby come in for a quick lunch. The miso soup is made from fish ara, which is grilled to make the soup stock, and is a source of confidence.

Commitment to tea and handmade interior: A heart for the good old things

Once you step into the store, you will find a warm and inviting space. The owner and her husband are particular about the handmade interior, which reuses old furniture and tableware. The store, which was originally a warehouse and was modified by the couple themselves, is lined with tables, chairs, and shelves that were given to them by neighbors and acquaintances and then polished and refinished. The interior is adorned with cute Indian and Thai goods. Sou collects them from her travels.

Sou likes tea, and enjoys tea time with delicious teas, including those obtained directly from overseas.

Husband from Brazil talks about the charm of Imabari: Life at the Crossroads of Different Cultures

Menahem, who is from Brazil, was surprised at how safe Japan is. They have a 5-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, and they live a busy but fulfilling life together as a family. The warm personality of the owner and his wife, the fresh fish dishes. The warm personality of the owner couple, the fresh fish dishes, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere make "Cafe warm" a new attraction of Imabari.

The "warm" in the name of the restaurant expresses the desire to make it a warm place. The Chinese character "魚夢" (魚夢) is derived from the name of the nearby stores that have "魚" in their name, such as Uoken. With a playful side, the couple continues to bring delicious fish to tourists and locals alike while raising their two children, ages 5 and 1. It seems that "Cafe warm" is becoming a special place loved by locals and remembered by tourists.