I have been to many maid cafes now, but my favourite by far is Maidreamin‘.
“Hello, Princess!” They practically scream at you as you walk through the door. “Hello, Master!” They screech at guys.
The Headwear at Maid Cafes
My panda friend and I
Once you have entered a maid cafe, you must accept that reality is not as it used to be. Indeed, once seated, you will have ears placed upon your head by the maid waiting you.
I have now been a cat, bear and bunny while other friends have been pandas.
Behold my new name: Jay-jee
They then ask your name and write it in Japanese for you on a special name card. I guess this is cool as a keepsake for tourists, although the maids often mishear and then write your name incorrectly. This happened to both myself and a friend of mine, whose name changed from “Corey” to “Horey” – hilarious in itself really!
The Rules
My friend feeling awkward at being involved with maid cafes
The maid who served us informed us of three ground rules:
There is NO
- touching the maids
- photos of the maids
- videos of the maids.
This is probably quite disappointing for those wishing to receive proof of having been in a maid cafe. However, fear not! You can pay extra for the joy of getting a photo taken with the maid of your choice!
The maid menu
In fact, a maid will approach you with a “maid menu” that includes photos of all the presently available maids. You are then asked to choose which maid you would like to have your photo taken with.
How to Summon a Maid to Your Table
(c) Maidreamin
In most Japanese restaurants, the typical way to summon waiters is with a sumimasen (excuse me). At Maidreamin’ maid cafes, you are asked to mew.
You literally say “meow meow” while staring in their general direction, and they will come and take your order.
Magic Eating Charm
Once your food has been delivered to your table, your maid will ask you to repeat a special charm after her. If I can remember rightly, the charm goes something like this:
“Delicious, delicious, moe moe kyun!”
While saying this, you make a heart-shape with your hands and move them from side to side. Finally, you shoot your heart towards your food on the “kyun!” at the end. What the smeg?
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The Food and Drinks Menu
My cute and yummy meal
Well, everything on the menu is obviously adorable, which is another reason I love maid cafes.
From “sleeping twin bears” omurice to a “teddy bear hamburger”, you’re going to feel bad about eating what’s on your plate. The maids come over and draw pictures and write messages on top of your food in ketchup too for some extra special TLC.
(c) Maidreamin
The food is actually not that extortionately priced. Indeed, if you don’t want any bears or other animals sneaking onto your plate, you can order a plain old omurice for ¥980. If you would like an animal in your food, the bear or chick curry is also only ¥980. The fancier twin-bears omurice is ¥1,580, so it’s still averagely priced and really yummy!
There is also a table charge for anyone wanting to enter a maid cafe, which is ¥500.
(c) Maidreamin
Get Wasted
(c) Maidreamin
At Maidreamin’ maid cafes, you have the choice to order all-you-can-drink for two hours for only ¥1,980 ($18/£14)! You get a choice of 55 different drinks to order from, so you won’t get bored.
The menu
There are also party plan courses involving food and gifts alongside your all-you-can-drink deal for the maximum price of ¥4,500. With this deal, you get a seven-course meal, an instant picture with your favourite maid, a glow stick, and other small gifts.
Live Shows
Shinjuku branch of Maidreamin
You can pay ¥1,200 extra on top of your set course for the chance of a live show! A maid will approach you with a song menu and ask you which maid you would like to perform. Each maid has her individual playlist, so pick a song and watch in eye-widening awe (and possibly confusion) as she dances and mimes along to the super peppy song.
My friend feeling awkward as an older gent waits for a photo with a maid
If you’re super lucky, a bizarre single man aged 40 or above will order this treat. Then you can sit back and enjoy the show for free. The lone gentleman will most likely dance along with the maid, using his glow sticks for extra effect.
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Visit A Maid Cafe Today!
Go and have a weird time today! If you are in Japan, don’t miss out on this experience.
Ciao ciao, meow meow!
Love Jade xxx
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