Compared to coffee, this fine cup of vegetable and tuna dashi is cheaper and way more stylish.

People in Japan have a plethora of options when it comes to getting their coffee fix, everything from vending machines that grind beans and brew drinks, to canned Coke mixed with coffee for when they really need a pick-me-up.

But few things can match freshly-brewed pour-over coffee, and the Japanese company On The Umami has taken that concept and added their own spin. Instead of ground coffee beans, they use dried vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, potatoes and ginger to produce a cup of warm dashi, a tasty broth that’s normally used as a base for other Japanese dishes.

▼ Situated on the 5th floor of Shinjuku Marui Honkan in Tokyo,
the store resembles a stylish cafe.

There’s a science to making delicious dashi, and the company ensures that every pour brings maximum taste. Young tuna shavings are placed in a filter with vegetables, and when hot water is poured through, it extracts glutamic acid from the vegetables and inosinic acid from the tuna, creating a nutritious and delicious aromatic blend that’s simply hard to beat.

▼ Costing a mere 200 yen (US$1.80) a cup, this drip dashi
has no artificial flavorings, preservatives or caffeine.

The store’s staff hand pours each cup individually, and customers get to enjoy a mellow dashi that’s rich in glycine and tryptophan, two amino acids that soothe and relax your nerves. Aside from being a great way to unwind after some shopping, it’s also a great addition to any meal and a fantastic pick-me-up after a hard day’s work.

▼ Wholesome and stylish — could this be the new coffee?

Why not drop by the store and warm yourself up with a cup of fragrant dashi? It’s perfect for all ages, and is arguably healthier than coffee. It’s hard to stop once you’ve taken a sip though, and if one cup isn’t enough, we recommend heading over to an authentic dashi bar to get your fill.

Store information
On The Umami, Shinjuku Marui Honkan
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, 3-30-13, Shinjuku Marui Honkan fifth floor
東京都新宿区新宿3-30-13 新宿マルイ本館5F
Open: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Until 8:30 p.m. on weekends and public holidays)

Source: PR Times via YouPouch
Images: PR Times