mumokuteki cafe KYOTO, a vegan cafe in Nakagyo ward, central Kyoto, has started selling this year's batch of its homemade red shiso juice, a drink that returns every year to strong demand. This year's batch went on sale from July 2, 2026.
The drink lets guests enjoy red shiso's signature vivid reddish-purple color, refreshing aroma, and clean tartness. Although the cafe prepares enough to last through the year, the juice tends to sell out due to its popularity, and this year's batch has begun selling alongside the seasonal red shiso preparation period.
It comes in three styles — Hot, Ice, and Soda — so guests can choose depending on their mood: Hot for a gentle, lingering aroma, Ice for a clean and easy-to-drink option, or Soda for a more refreshing lift. The juice is available both for dine-in and takeout, making it a fitting refreshment during a stroll around Kyoto or on a hot day.
A Homemade Red Shiso Juice Born From 'A Place to Eat with Peace of Mind'
mumokuteki cafe KYOTO operates under the concept of "a place where you can eat with peace of mind," valuing a space where vegans, vegetarians, guests with allergies, health-conscious diners, and anyone unsure about food choices can all enjoy a meal without worry. The homemade red shiso juice extends that same idea, drawing out the natural color and aroma of the ingredient in a drink meant to sit comfortably alongside everyday meals.
The Vivid Color and Refreshing Aroma Unique to Red Shiso
Red shiso has long been a familiar ingredient in Japanese food culture, used in dishes such as pickled plums and shiba-zuke pickles. It is known for its distinctive aroma and vivid reddish-purple color, with its naturally derived pigment giving the drink a striking appearance. Red shiso also contains rosmarinic acid, a type of polyphenol.
Three Ways to Enjoy: Hot, Ice, and Soda
mumokuteki cafe KYOTO offers red shiso, long a part of Japanese dining tables, as a homemade drink suited to both meals and cafe time. The three styles are:
- Hot — Lets the aroma of red shiso come through gently, and suits guests looking to warm up after time spent in air conditioning.
- Ice — A classic style with a clean tartness and gentle sweetness, easy to drink alongside a meal or during cafe time.
- Soda — A lighter option with the added lift of carbonation, well suited as a takeaway drink during a stroll around Kyoto.
Enjoy In-Store or Takeout, Including During a Kyoto Stroll
mumokuteki cafe KYOTO welcomes many guests from Japan and abroad, and aims to offer options that guests from a range of backgrounds can choose with confidence, in drinks as well as food. The homemade red shiso juice can be enjoyed with a meal in the cafe or ordered as a takeout drink. Once this year's batch sells out, sales will end, so guests are encouraged to try this yearly favorite while it lasts.
Product Details
| Product | Homemade Red Shiso Juice |
| On sale from | July 2, 2026 (Thursday) |
| Where to buy | mumokuteki cafe KYOTO |
| Price | Hot / Ice: ¥750, Soda: ¥850 (tax included) |
Notes:
- Available for both dine-in and takeout
- Made without any of Japan's 28 specified food allergens
- Other menu items at the cafe do contain specified allergens
- Sales end once this year's batch sells out
Cafe Information
mumokuteki cafe KYOTO
Address: Human Forum Building 2F, 261 Shikibucho, Nakagyo ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Hours: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Last order 7:00 PM)
Closed: Wednesdays
Website: https://mumokuteki.com/cafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mumokuteki_cafe/
