Overview
From giant Godzilla statues to karaoke ferris wheels, you can find almost anything in Tokyo. Top-notch Australian coffee also belongs on that list. Sydney-based roaster Single O has been giving Japan a taste of its caffeinated brews for a decade, and opened its first international cafe in the country's capital back in 2021. Hit up the city from now on, however, and you'll have the brand's second overseas cafe to head to as well.
While Single O has boasted a roastery and tasting bar in Ryogoku since before its Hamacho spot for a cuppa launched, Ryogoku Roastworks is now a cafe, too. All in one swoop, the chain has moved into bigger digs and added its second space for aficionados to grab a brew. And yes, coffee on tap — which first became available at Single O's Surry Hills cafe in 2019 — is part of the setup.
If you're keen to pour your own beverage, the self-serve counter will rotate its range of single-origin brews. Otherwise, the cafe will also serve up espressos and long blacks made from a changing array — and, of course, Single O's signature blend Reservoir, with its notes of stonefruit and milk chocolate, will be in the spotlight.
Aussie patrons won't just sip a taste of home at Ryogoku Roastworks, but will also find dishes from the brand's Surry Hills and Newstead cafes on the food menu. So, if you're in Tokyo and craving Single O's banana bread with espresso butter, you're in luck. The same goes for The Avo Show, which is made with rye, achiote cashew cheese and pickled fennel, plus a seasoned crumb, chilli oil and sweet lemon aspen.
Other culinary choices span the Reservoir Dog (Tesio sausage, caramelised onion and tomato sauce), as named after Single O's street address in Surry Hills — and also Boris' Beans (a Turkish-inspired bean stew that comes with tomato, chilli oil and labne). Or, opt for two types of jaffle: prosciutto, gouda and maribo; and Vegemite butter, camembert, cheddar and onion jam.
As for the warehouse digs themselves, Ryogoku Roastworks has received Luchetti Krelle's design touch, with the Sydney-based firm heroing industrial flourishes and sustainability in their approach. A corrugated metal facade greets customers, inside which a freestanding pod is home to the cafe, with the roastery behind it.
"We hit the ground running in Japan a decade ago, and the response we've had since then has honestly blown us away — we're now roasting for 130 wholesale partners across Japan," said Single O co-founder Dion Cohen.
"Moving the roastery into a bigger and better space is really an opportunity to double down in support of those partners and grow our offering."
Launching its new Ryogoku site allows Single O to quadruple production in Japan — and is just one of the chain's big 2024 openings in Tokyo. The other is set to arrive in July in the form of a Shibuya venue, the brand's third in the city, which will debut a new coffee bar concept.
Find Single O's Ryogoku Roastworks at 3-21-5, Kamezawa, Sumida, Ryogoku, East Tokyo, open from 10am–6pm Wednesday–Sunday. Head to the brand's website for more details.
Images: Koji Shimamura.