This Sydney transplant has been in the coffee business since 2003 and set up an outpost in Tokyo’s sumo heartland, Ryogoku, in 2014 – on the cusp of Japan’s coffee boom. Fast forward to 2024 and the roastery has now moved into a brand new space in celebration of its tenth anniversary in Japan.
Still located in Ryogoku, the new premises function as both a café and roastery, which stay open five days a week instead of just on the weekends, as was the case with the previous tasting bar. The spacious 200sqm building, which was once used as a wood-processing factory, includes plenty of seating and takes after Single O's main store in Sydney with similar interiors courtesy of award-winning architecture and interior design firm Luchetti Krelle.
Single O prides itself on securing ethically sourced coffee and highlighting the beans' natural flavours. For instance, the vibrant Reservoir house blend of Costa Rican and Ethiopian beans is a winner, producing an acidic brew that’s bright with citrus notes. Similar to the Single O Hamacho outpost, you can enjoy self-service coffee on tap here, taking your pick from four different varieties.
The menu also includes a selection of long-standing food favourites from their Sydney café. Highlights include the Reservoir Dog, a hot dog featuring sausages made with Okinawan ham and caramelised onions, avocado toast served on sourdough bread, and Boris' Beans, a Middle Eastern-inspired dish combining labneh strained yoghurt with feta cheese and mixed beans.