High-protein that is low in fat is typically thought of as something for people who work out and train, but it’s also a favorite among dieters looking to slim down, women in pursuit of gorgeous skin, and many more. For this particular occasion, we stopped by Protein Café “Promarl,” which just opened its doors on July 3rd, 2023. We took this opportunity to try out their latest protein options available on the menu.

Promarl opened in front of Akasaka-mitsuke Station, which serves the Tokyo Metro subway. The café is directly managed by a protein manufacturer operated by REDAS Corporation, a company that’s in the business of producing protein. The café offers customers a varied lineup of menu items that are made with domestic Japanese-made protein and other ingredients. You’ll find the café’ situated on the second floor, and attached to that same building you’ll find a workout studio and much more. So, let’s hurry up and head inside.

Protein merchandise and products are stocked up on display inside the café, and they also have exercise machines installed inside. There are about 20 seats in total for customers. The café also serves as a place for people to talk and interact with each other, and it’s often frequented by people who work in industries related to fitness and dieting.

"The café’s menu of protein drinks and health foods are unified under a concept of ""High protein, low fat, and suitable sugar content.” They have a wealth of menu items to choose from, which can be a bit daunting for first-timers. However, the staff can help you out with their own expertise if you let them know what you like in terms of taste, as well as what your main goal is; "I’m looking to lose some weight,"" ""I want better looking skin," and the like.

Adding to that, the "Muscle Shokudo" (“Shokudo” means diner, restaurant, etc.), Muscle Deli,” and other bento boxed meals, which are popular healthy choices for home deliveries, are also now available to eat in or take out. These bento boxed meals are typically sold in sets for home-delivery services, but Promarl lets you buy just one or more if you like.

Protein isn’t just about muscles either, since it’s an essential nutrient for your entire body, including your hair, nails, and skin. It’s something that you’ll want to proactively add to your diet.

We were also introduced to Promarl’s featured drink choices from their menu. REDAS Corporation has developed products with supervision and input by athletes, celebrities, and other influencers, and you can try these drinks out firsthand at Promarl.

Takashi Uchiyama, a former WBA World Super Featherweight Champion, oversaw the development of an amino acid drink called "Gekidashi EAA with BHB.” “EAA” refers to the nine different essential amino acids that the human body can’t synthesize on its own, and “BHB” refers to a ketone body, which helps promote weight loss and assist with dieting. This drink is the very first in all of Japan that contains BHB.

This drink is geared toward more advanced customers, but its taste is similar to an energy drink, and it’s actually very easy to drink. It helps boost your metabolism, which can cause certain people to sweat a lot. It’s recommended as a pre-workout drink, etc.

The protein drink “ASAPRO"" is designed to consume in the morning, and it was developed under the supervision of Yasutoshi Miura, a soccer coach who is also the brother of soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura. It’s made from whey that comes from grass-fed cows, and it contains polyphenol (catechin), glucose, 11 vitamins and minerals; all of which you’ll want to take in the morning hours, and just one of these drinks will let you do that.

The drink’s flavor is matcha green tea, which is favored by Miura, who originally hails from Shizuoka Prefecture. The tea is meticulously made using first-grade tea leaves grown in Shizuoka Prefecture, and the drink itself tastes almost exactly like a matcha green tea latte. It’s not at all difficult to drink, and it seems to be quite popular among people just starting out with protein too.

Michopa, a well-known celebrity who you’ll see on TV practically each and every day, supervised the beauty and dieting protein ""Silica Protein. She placed an immense amount of focus on both the taste and nutrients to develop a healthy body of her own, and the product’s main feature is a high concentration of botanical silica. It also contains a mixture of vitamins and minerals, ingredients that improve gut health, and more.

It’s cocoa-flavored and made with soy protein, which leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Aside from people who use it for their workout and exercise needs, it’s also recommended for people dieting or anyone facing issues with their eating habits, etc.

Then we have the visually stunning "Weekly Reset Protein" drink with its exceptional-looking pitch-black color. The drink was designed by a popular beauty YouTuber named “Usatani Paisen,” and it features a mixture of three types of charcoal, which are detoxifying ingredients. It also contains ingredients that promote better gut health and boost your basal metabolic rate, 11 different vitamins, and four types of minerals that boost your protein metabolism. This makes it well-suited to meal replacement diets.

It was hard not to hesitate a little while taking that first sip, but after trying it the cocoa flavor ended up making it delightful and not at all uncomfortable to drink. The drink comes off as a bit daunting from a visual aspect, but in actuality it’s something you can eagerly drink without any hesitation.

Something that turned out to be quite surprising about this visit was just how truly delicious and easy to drink everything is. REDAS Corporation has a special lab dedicated to researching different flavors, and apparently the staff works each day to meticulously develop tasty protein. Protein is often thought of as something you only consume for health reasons and that’s it, but now that notion has been completely toppled.

Promarl is also focusing their efforts on coming up with other menu items in addition to drinks, and this summer they released their "P Shaved Ice," a shaved iced with protein. This novel style of shaved ice is brought about by freezing and shaving whey protein, which lets you enjoy it just like any other sweet treat.

This whey protein shaved ice features a new and interesting fluffy texture. The "Matcha Green Tea" flavor offers a more mature taste with a rich milk base and slightly bitter matcha green tea. The "Kuromitsu Kinako" flavor perfectly blends aromatic kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup). The kuromitsu syrup, which is also included with the Matcha Green Tea flavor, is made with monk fruit as its basic ingredient, which has a level of sweetness to it that’s hard to believe considering it’s zero calories.

The “Berry" flavor can come topped with raspberries and cranberries, strawberries and blueberries, and other choices for a distinctive mix of sourness and light sweetness. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something refreshing to enjoy.

The “P-Shaved Ice” is ample in protein, and every menu option has about 100 kcal. It’s recommended for anyone training or dieting who still wants to indulge in a sweet treat, but without the added guilt that comes with it.

Promarl also features an alcohol menu with choices like "Sugar-free Draft Beer" and "Amino Protein Highball." Their pub-style snacks include "Low-carb Nuts" and "Miyazaki Prefecture-raised Free-range Chicken Jerky," as well as a variety of other protein snacks that are perfect to munch on. Along with that, they also have social events and marketing campaigns that take place on a regular basis, so there are a wide variety of different situations that customers can enjoy engaging in here. This of course attracts people who are already enthusiastic about health and wellness, but it’s also a great opportunity for newcomers who aren’t familiar with protein yet.

Protein Cafe "Promarl"
https://www.instagram.com/promarl_cafe/
Address: Kiyo Bldg. 2F, 3-9-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
*Nighttime hours are also scheduled to start (Check their official Instagram account for the latest updates).
*Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/promarl_cafe/
Closed: Sundays and national holidays