• Pronto cafe, in Tokyo, Japan, has been taken over by Netflix's 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Pronto
    Pronto cafe, in Tokyo, Japan, has been taken over by Netflix's 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Pronto
  • Japanese fans of 'Stranger Things' can chow down on demonic pasta and rock out to retro 1980s tunes at a pop-up cafe inspired by the Netflix Inc horror drama.
    Japanese fans of 'Stranger Things' can chow down on demonic pasta and rock out to retro 1980s tunes at a pop-up cafe inspired by the Netflix Inc horror drama.
  • The shop recently extended its run in the Shibuya district of Tokyo several months amid overwhelming demand.
    The shop recently extended its run in the Shibuya district of Tokyo several months amid overwhelming demand.
  • Patrons can take pictures next to the drama's signature Demogorgon monster while songs from the show play in the background.
    Patrons can take pictures next to the drama's signature Demogorgon monster while songs from the show play in the background.
  • The interior has replicas of shops and sets from the show.
    The interior has replicas of shops and sets from the show.
  • Diners can nosh on food inspired by the show, such as squid-ink pasta arranged like the monster's head or Eleven's waffles.
    Diners can nosh on food inspired by the show, such as squid-ink pasta arranged like the monster's head or Eleven's waffles.
  • To reduce the risk spreading Covid-19, the cafe requires visitors to make a reservation and only about 20 are allowed inside every hour.
    To reduce the risk spreading Covid-19, the cafe requires visitors to make a reservation and only about 20 are allowed inside every hour.

Lifestyle

Food

'Stranger Things' cafe in Tokyo serves up Demogorgon pasta and Eleven's waffles

The pop-up in the Shibuya district has been extended several months due to demand

Reuters

August 15, 2022

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Japanese fans of the sci-fi hit Stranger Things can chow down on demonic pasta and rock out to retro 1980s tunes at a pop-up cafe inspired by the Netflix Inc horror drama.

The shop, which is located in the fashionable Shibuya district of Tokyo, and is a partnership with local restaurant chain Pronto Corp, recently extended its run by several months due to overwhelming demand.

Stranger Things has remained one of the streamer's top 10 shows in Japan since the release of its fourth season in May.

Scroll through the gallery below to see how the 'Stranger Things' cast has changed since the show began

  • Millie Bobby Brown in season one and season four. She's often described her role as Eleven on the show as 'life-changing'. All photos: Netflix
    Millie Bobby Brown in season one and season four. She's often described her role as Eleven on the show as 'life-changing'. All photos: Netflix
  • Finn Wolfhard in season one and season four. Wolfhard has said in the past how he almost gave up on acting before landing the gig on 'Stranger Things'.
    Finn Wolfhard in season one and season four. Wolfhard has said in the past how he almost gave up on acting before landing the gig on 'Stranger Things'.
  • Noah Schnapp in season one and season four. Although he has limited-speaking role as his character goes missing for the majority in the first season, he has become a major character on the show since.
    Noah Schnapp in season one and season four. Although he has limited-speaking role as his character goes missing for the majority in the first season, he has become a major character on the show since.
  • Gaten Matarazzo in season one and season four. He acted on Broadway, doing stage work, before being cast on 'Stranger Things'.
    Gaten Matarazzo in season one and season four. He acted on Broadway, doing stage work, before being cast on 'Stranger Things'.
  • Caleb McLaughlin in season one and season four. 'I always knew [Stranger Things] was going to be great,' he told 'Teen Vogue' in the past.
    Caleb McLaughlin in season one and season four. 'I always knew [Stranger Things] was going to be great,' he told 'Teen Vogue' in the past.
  • Sadie Sink in season two and season four. She's described in past interviews about how her life totally changed after being cast on the show as Max Mayfield.
    Sadie Sink in season two and season four. She's described in past interviews about how her life totally changed after being cast on the show as Max Mayfield.
  • Natalia Dyer in season one and season four. Since 'Stranger Things', she can be seen in 2019's satrical horror film 'Velvet Buzzsaw' and the comedy-drama 'Yes, God, Yes'.
    Natalia Dyer in season one and season four. Since 'Stranger Things', she can be seen in 2019's satrical horror film 'Velvet Buzzsaw' and the comedy-drama 'Yes, God, Yes'.
  • Joe Keery in season one and season four. Keery first auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers but was instead offered the part of Steve Harrington on the show.
    Joe Keery in season one and season four. Keery first auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers but was instead offered the part of Steve Harrington on the show.
  • Charlie Heaton in season one and season four. Although the British actor acted in small roles for ITV and BBC, he's since appeared in Marvel's 'The New Mutants' in 2020.
    Charlie Heaton in season one and season four. Although the British actor acted in small roles for ITV and BBC, he's since appeared in Marvel's 'The New Mutants' in 2020.

The interior features replicas of shops and sets from the show, set in fictional US town of Hawkins, Indiana, along with its dark-mirror underworld that the pre-teen protagonists call the "Upside Down".

Patrons can take pictures next to the drama's signature Demogorgon monster, while songs from the show, such as Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill, play in the background.

Diners can nosh on food inspired by the show, such as squid-ink pasta arranged like the monster's head or the waffles craved by the psychically powered star character, Eleven.

To reduce the spread of Covid-19, now battering Japan in record infections, the cafe requires visitors to make a reservation and only about 20 patrons are allowed inside every hour.

"Every day at midnight, I have been trying to book a table on my phone," said mother Kimiko Nakae, 29. "Finally there's an opening today because someone had cancelled the reservation."

Tokyo has a long tradition of themed restaurants and cafes, featuring everything from ninja waiters and exotic animals to vampire-inspired cuisine.

But like many tourist-oriented businesses, the sector has been hard hit by the pandemic. The Lockup, a chain of haunted prison eateries, ended a 23-year run when its final location closed last month, joining the fate of the famous Robot Restaurant, a gaudy music and dance spectacle in Kabukicho that closed in March 2020.

How to revive 1980s 'Stranger Things' haircuts this summer — in pictures

  • The tousled tresses of the cast of Netflix show 'Stranger Things', which is set in the 1980s, is influencing Gen Z trendsetters. Photo: Netflix
    The tousled tresses of the cast of Netflix show 'Stranger Things', which is set in the 1980s, is influencing Gen Z trendsetters. Photo: Netflix
  • Rocker Kate Bush, whose 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' features in 'Stranger Things', is another style influence. Getty Images
    Rocker Kate Bush, whose 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' features in 'Stranger Things', is another style influence. Getty Images
  • Farrah Fawcett's famed style is another popular look at the moment. Getty Images
    Farrah Fawcett's famed style is another popular look at the moment. Getty Images
  • Julia Garner's hairdo in 'Ozark', the Netflix drama where she plays Ruth Langmore, also has many fans. Getty Images
    Julia Garner's hairdo in 'Ozark', the Netflix drama where she plays Ruth Langmore, also has many fans. Getty Images
  • Other 1980s hairdos include a mullet, seen here on George Clooney during his 'The Facts of Life' days. Photo: Ron Tom / NBCU
    Other 1980s hairdos include a mullet, seen here on George Clooney during his 'The Facts of Life' days. Photo: Ron Tom / NBCU
  • Hairstylists say the wolf cut is easy to maintain. Seen here, Billie Eilish, left, who took the wolf cut mainstream last summer, with other stars, including 'Insatiable' actress Debby Ryan, following suit. Photo: Instagram
    Hairstylists say the wolf cut is easy to maintain. Seen here, Billie Eilish, left, who took the wolf cut mainstream last summer, with other stars, including 'Insatiable' actress Debby Ryan, following suit. Photo: Instagram
  • Untidy does it when it comes to the hairdos favoured by the young cast of 'Stranger Things', but the looks still take time and dedication to maintain. Photo: Netflix
    Untidy does it when it comes to the hairdos favoured by the young cast of 'Stranger Things', but the looks still take time and dedication to maintain. Photo: Netflix
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Updated: August 15, 2022, 5:01 AM
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