See Shibuya's Famous Moyai Statue!? Tomboy Cafe
Introduction
Shibuya, home to the "world's busiest intersection" known as the Scramble Crossing, is the epicenter of Japanese youth culture. Many young people meet in front of the landmark dog statue called "Hachiko" and hang out in Shibuya to enjoy fashion and subcultures.
Shibuya also boasts unique museums, live music venues, and clubs, giving it an artistic and musical side. It's a constantly evolving area with ongoing construction and new shops and facilities opening regularly. Recently, it has also become popular as an anime setting.
Popular among both Japanese and foreign visitors, Shibuya is crowded and consequently has numerous dining establishments. One of its characteristics is the abundance of izakayas and bars open until late at night. Today, we'll introduce you to a unique cafe in Shibuya: Tomboy Cafe.
If you are interested in Shibuya' cafe and restaurant, I strongly recommend the article below. I'm comprehensively introducing foods at Shibuya!
Dining Scene in Shibuya
Shibuya boasts over 4,000 dining establishments. From restaurants for enjoying meals to cafes for taking a break, and izakayas and bars for enjoying alcohol, there's a wide variety of genres to choose from.
Restaurants offer a mix of Japanese and Western cuisines. For instance, if you're craving meat, you can choose from Japanese "tonkatsu" (pork cutlet), Chinese-style "karaage" (fried chicken), Western "hamburger", or Korean-style "yakiniku" (grilled meat). You might also opt for "yakitori" (grilled chicken) at an izakaya with drinks.
Known as the city that never sleeps, Shibuya has many restaurants open until dawn, with some operating 24 hours a day.
Shibuya is also home to many unique cafes. Tomboy Cafe, which we'll introduce today, is one of them.
What is Tomboy Cafe?
Tomboy Cafe in Shibuya is an ethnic-themed cafe where you can enjoy cuisine from various countries including Italy, Spain, Hawaii, and India. With 100 seats, it can accommodate both small and large groups.
While Shibuya is famous for the Hachiko statue and Scramble Crossing, the Moyai statue is also one of Shibuya's symbols. We'll explain more about the Moyai statue later, but it's a statue inspired by the Moai statues of Easter Island, located at the south exit of JR Shibuya Station.
Tomboy Cafe is run by staff who helped create this symbolic Moyai statue of Shibuya. Their popular dishes include the signature spaghetti cheese gratin, offering generous portions of multicultural cuisine at reasonable prices. Personally, I also recommend the dessert menu items like MOMOCO and the 40cm tall MOMO Parfait, which are great for sharing.
Highlights of Tomboy Cafe Shibuya
See the Moyai Statue
source：Tabelog
At Tomboy Cafe Shibuya, you're greeted by a Moyai statue at the entrance. This cafe’s statue was created by staff who helped produce the approximately 2.5m tall, 2.5-ton Moyai statue at Shibuya Station.
While it resembles the Moai statues of Easter Island, Shibuya's statue is called "Mo'y'ai", not "Moai". In Japanese, "Moyai" means "to tie boats together" or "to help each other". At Tomboy Cafe Shibuya, the Moyai statue is cherished as a symbol of connecting "Smile, Power, and Hope".
Besides the large Moyai statue, many small Moyai statues are displayed throughout the cafe. You'll feel the uniquely Japanese-ish jumbled mix of various cultures.
Wide Variety of Menu Options
source：Tabelog
Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is known for its wide variety of menu options, offering multicultural cuisine and drinks. With numerous à la carte items, they pride themselves on careful preparation without additives or artificial seasonings. You can enjoy new flavors with each visit.
Appetizers include assorted prosciutto, wine-steamed clams and mussels, tortillas with salsa sauce, and steamed dumplings called MOMO. Main dishes include paella, pizza, gapao rice, loco moco, and hamburgers. The signature spaghetti cheese gratin, nicknamed "spachii", is also popular.
The dessert menu features the famous MOMO Parfait, along with various pies and cheesecakes. Drinks include beers from different countries and a wide selection of cocktails.
Reasonable Prices
Another highlight of Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is its reasonable prices for delicious food and great atmosphere. Lunch sets start from 800 yen, with free size upgrades for rice and pasta dishes.
For lunch sets, it's recommended to add salad, soup, or soft drinks for an additional fee.
The 1,980 yen special lunch course offers a feast including salmon appetizer, hearty soup, Caesar salad, chicken steak, shrimp and mushroom Ajillo, and homemade Margherita pizza. The pizza, in particular, is made from scratch with plenty of cheese. I always order it when I visit.
Extended Lunch Hours
Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is known for its reasonably priced lunch menu, but another highlight is its extended lunch hours. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 16:00, with last orders at 15:45.
Unlike many restaurants that offer special lunch sets only on weekdays, Tomboy Cafe Shibuya's lunch sets are available on weekends and holidays too. Although everything is handmade, which can lead to longer wait times during busy periods, the large seating capacity means you rarely have to queue outside.
It's a great option when you've missed lunch due to a busy schedule or when you don't want to queue at your intended restaurant.
Recommended Menu Items at Tomboy Cafe Shibuya
Spaghetti Cheese Gratin
source：Tabelog
The signature dish at Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is the "spaghetti cheese gratin", nicknamed "spachii". It's a gratin dish where spaghetti is placed in a Japanese earthenware pot, covered with white sauce, topped with cheese, and baked.
In Japan, this kind of popular, everyday menu item is called "B-grade gourmet". It's a hearty dish with a flavor that appeals to many. The ingredients in "spachii" vary, and sometimes beef stew is used instead of white sauce.
Versions combining vegetables like cabbage, tomato, and avocado offer a satisfying balance between the rich cheese and sauce and the fresh vegetables. If you see it on the lunch set menu, definitely give it a try.
Famous MOMOCO
source：Tabelog
MOMOCO, a famous dessert at Tomboy Cafe Shibuya, is a dessert platter featuring freshly baked pie with various ice cream flavors, fruits, and sweets. I was surprised by the quantity when I first ordered it.
According to the menu, it's recommended for 6-8 people to share. The pie and ice cream on the large plate are adorned with cute heart-shaped cookies, whipped cream, and seasonal fruits, making it perfect for social media posts.
You can add sparklers and message cards upon request. The voluminous MOMOCO with crackling sparklers is quite eye-catching, so it's great for surprise orders on birthdays or special occasions. It's sure to create unforgettable memories.
MOMO Parfait
source：Tabelog
Another famous dessert at Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is the MOMO Parfait. This extra-large parfait captivates many with its unique appearance, luxurious taste, and unparalleled volume.
The MOMO Parfait stands 40cm tall, with a bowl filled with colorful shaved ice topped by a beer mug packed with sweets. The shaved ice is covered with plenty of fruits, while the beer mug is filled to the brim with fruits, cookies, ice cream, whipped cream, cornflakes, and more.
Given its volume, it's recommended for 6-8 people to share. Note that when you order a course meal, you can choose either this 2,800 yen MOMO Parfait or MOMOCO as your dessert, which is a great deal.
Access to Tomboy Cafe Shibuya
Tomboy Cafe Shibuya is about a 7-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. It's also a 2-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, which might be a better option on rainy days as it's just one stop from Shibuya Station.
Access: 7-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station, 2-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line
Basic Information for Tomboy Cafe Shibuya
Official website: http://www.tomboy106.com/
<Store Information>
・Address: 1F Flat Maruyama, 10-13 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: -
・Phone: 050-5592-1161
・Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 (Last Order 22:30)
・Store URL: http://www.tomboy106.com/
For tourists visiting Tokyo, Tomboy Cafe Shibuya offers a unique dining experience that combines Shibuya's iconic Moyai statue with a diverse menu of international cuisines.
Its convenient location, reasonable prices, and Instagram-worthy desserts make it an excellent choice for a memorable meal in the heart of Shibuya's vibrant atmosphere.