Qingdao · Shinan District

% Arabica Qingdao MixC

The glowing white storefront entrance with a lit up percent sign above the door and G137 marked on the glass

% Arabica traces back to Kenneth Shoji's original Kyoto shop in Arashiyama, built around a single idea printed on every cup, See the World Through Coffee. The Qingdao MixC branch marked the brand's first store in the city, set inside the wave shaped MixC mall on Shandong Road in Shinan District, unit G137, with the same white interior and light grey accents the brand carries everywhere, this one designed in collaboration with Nomurakougeisha.

The menu stays intentionally short, a straight espresso, lattes hot or iced, and filter coffee brewed from the brand's own roasted beans, served in the plain white cups printed with a single percent sign. There is no food beyond a couple of pastries, and no long list of syrups or seasonal drinks, just the espresso bar itself and a handful of stools for anyone stopping between shops in the mall.