World barista champion Shinsaku Fukayama has developed a special coffee blend designed to perfectly complement lasagna. This innovative “Lasagna Blend” was created in collaboration with COLORS Cafe, UCC Coffee Academy, and Marukome, and will be featured in a limited-time food pairing experience event in Tokyo this July.
For visitors to Japan interested in unique culinary experiences, this event offers a chance to explore the emerging trend of pairing specialty coffee with savory dishes. Held in Tokyo, the pairing combines rare Hokkaido Mangalica pork lasagna with a carefully roasted coffee blend that enhances the flavors of the dish. This limited-time event and the exclusive menu items provide a fresh way to enjoy Japanese and international food culture.
About the Food Pairing Event
Organized by COLORS Corporation, UCC Coffee Academy, and Marukome, the “Coffee × Lasagna × Rice Koji Milk” food pairing experience will take place on July 10 and 11, 2026, at the UCC Coffee Academy Tokyo campus. The event showcases the “Lasagna Blend,” a coffee blend co-developed by Shinsaku Fukayama, representative of BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters, and COLORS Cafe. This blend balances vibrant acidity with sweetness and texture to complement the creamy, layered flavors of lasagna made with rare Hokkaido Mangalica pork.
Attendees will also enjoy dishes like the “Rice Koji Milk Mangalica Lasagna,” featuring the rare pork, and a rice koji milk cheesecake created in collaboration with KAKA Cheesecake Store from Fukuoka. The event aims to introduce a new culture of enjoying coffee alongside meals, not just as a post-meal drink.
Highlights
- Experience a new way to enjoy specialty coffee paired with food, focusing on lasagna and coffee.
- Experts from coffee, fermentation, and culinary fields come together to create a unique tasting experience.
- Exclusive menu items include the Rice Koji Milk Mangalica Lasagna and Rice Koji Milk Cheesecake.
- The Lasagna Blend coffee is available year-round at COLORS Cafe in Ebisu, with the special dishes offered in limited quantities.
- Participation fee for the public session on July 11 is ¥5,500 (tax included).
- The Lasagna Blend coffee beans are sold for ¥4,000 per 100 grams, and a drip bag set of four is ¥1,600 (tax included).
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | “Coffee × Lasagna × Rice Koji Milk” Food Pairing Experience |
| Menu / items | Rice Koji Milk Mangalica Lasagna; Rice Koji Milk Cheesecake; LASAGNA BLEND coffee beans 100g ¥4,000 (tax included); Drip bag 4-pack ¥1,600 (tax included) |
| Location | UCC Coffee Academy Tokyo Campus |
| Address | 8-5-26 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Period | July 10, 2026 (Fri) – July 11, 2026 (Sat) |
| Price | Participation fee ¥5,500 (tax included); LASAGNA BLEND coffee beans 100g ¥4,000 (tax included); Drip bag 4-pack ¥1,600 (tax included) |
Shinsaku Fukayama, the barista behind this unique blend, is a world latte art champion and the first Japanese winner of the Australian Barista Championship. His expertise is reflected in the careful roasting process using the latest Stronghold roaster, which brings out the coffee’s floral acidity and sweetness to perfectly match the creamy texture and rich flavors of the lasagna.
The event also features insights from culinary and fermentation experts, including COLORS Cafe’s head chef Daisuke Ichikawa and Marukome’s developer of the “KOJI BARISTA EDITION” rice koji milk, Junichi Gon. This collaboration highlights the growing trend of pairing coffee with food to create new dining experiences in Japan.
