Osmo X Marusan occupies a distinct underground space defined by an industrial aesthetic and a lively, resonant atmosphere. The menu emphasizes Japanese-inspired snacks such as crispy karaage and savory katsu sandos paired with delicate tamago. Guests encounter a selection of matcha and hojicha lattes prepared with deep, earthy tea profiles that balance the bold textures of the food. The venue integrates an expansive outdoor terrace that contrasts with the enclosed, modern interior design. Vibrant musical selections fill the space, contributing to the energetic environment that defines this unique hangout. These features combine to create a singular experience where minimalist architecture meets traditional flavor profiles in an unconventional setting.
Osmo X Marusan is a highly popular, uniquely designed spot in Montreal that blends an industrial, bunker-like aesthetic with a lively, social atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the high-quality matcha, hojicha lattes, and creative Japanese-inspired menu, particularly the various sandwiches and curry dishes. While many visitors find the environment perfect for working or socializing, others note that the space can become extremely busy and loud, occasionally featuring live DJ sets that may not suit those seeking a quiet retreat. Experiences regarding service and food consistency vary, with some patrons describing the offerings as fresh and delicious while others find certain items bland or the wait times excessive. Overall, the location is widely considered a trendy and memorable destination for those who appreciate a vibrant, artsy, and upbeat cafe experience.
This place has been on my list for a while & I was finally in the area today, so I thought why not.
It was extremely busy & loud which made it difficult to communicate with staff. I placed my order & it was brought to where I was seated about 15 minutes or so later. It looked absolutely delicious & I love a jammy egg...
... but it barely tasted of anything at all. The bread seems to just be regular American style white bread, & whatever sauce they use is completely flavourless. I don't even know what it was. I can't even compare it to anything because I couldn't identify even a single flavour within. It's trying to be a quirky version of the Japanese style egg sandwich but it's completely unnecessary.
Sitting there, you quickly realize that this is yet another place that exists for vibes, stories, & to blow up online thanks to influencer content - & yeah, I was one of the people influenced, that's why I came here haha. People around me taking tons of photos & selfies & video recordings of themselves trying everything they ordered... which is fine. I took a picture too. But it's clear the food here is made to be Instagrammable over all else.
On the plus side, the coffee was good & the service was warm & friendly. But overall, this place didn't live up to the hype for me personally.
They bring you the food to the table which is nice. The food is tasty but not something I would come back for. I had the sandwich with just the eggs. It was a bit too salty even for someone like me who eats sodium like it's water. The lavender tea tasted pretty good but there were particles of what I'm guessing is tea, so it was a bit unpleasant to drink. The atmosphere is what I disliked the most. It's very dark inside, not all the tables are cleaned & the metal chairs & tables aren't the most comfortable.
The quality of the foods were overall really nice & fresh. We ordered their famous karaage (fried chicken) sandwhich for 16.10$tx incl, tamago ( boiled egg) sandwich for 13.80tx incl, their chicken curry for 18.14 tx incl & an iced matcha latte for 6.90$tx incl. If you ask me, i ended up preferring the chicken curry over their sandwhiches. I like anything more saucy, so i found it more flavourul. I think the chicken curry was the same meat as found in the karaage sandwhich. Drenched in the sauce, it reminded me of eating a soggy general tao, not in a bad way, this was my favorite out of all dishes. Also the sauce was sweet & light & not spicy at all. It had a homemade taste to it that i liked. Suprisingly i liked the tamago (egg) sandwhich more than the karaage (fried chicken), it had some mayo inside & was rather simpler in ingredients. Whereas the chicken sandwhich had both some yuzu sauce & some fresh spring mix that i personally didnt find paired well. The chicken was also harder to eat in this one as their bigger in pieces, it kept falling apart. Anyway, im certain some people would disagree with me & would like the chicken sandwhich, however it was just not for me. Note: The sandwhiches once u pulled them out of their paper were no bigger & quite deceiving for its price. Lastly, my sister got the iced matcha latte & she called it smooth tasting. Nevertheless, i really the interior design of this cafe & found the place always busy & quite lively. It was well conditonned for those visiting in the summer. It was also quite loud, & i could barely hear myself talking. I was quite overstimulated & this place didnt live up to the hype I was expecting.
Jul 14, 2026
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The building & entrance is hard to spot. There's a nice industrial vibe inside. The matcha is weak & powdery I would not recommend. Coffee was 10/10. The egg sandwich was delicious with deep fried breaded jammy boiled eggs. Keep in mind the kitchen does not open until 11 am if you're going for the sandwich. I would go back for the coffee & egg sandwich.
I came here just after 2 p.m. specifically for the egg sando, only to find out they were sold out. Since I hadn't come up with a backup plan, I let the really kind hostess pick both my sandwich & coffee for me. You order, grab a seat, & wait for your name to be called when everything is ready.
The restaurant is easy to miss. It's set back from the street &, partially hidden behind overgrown weeds & litter. Once you find it, the space is actually below street level & has a retro, almost 1970s bunker-like vibe. There's plenty of indoor & outdoor seating, though some of the less-used furniture & fixtures could use a good dusting.
I ended up with the karaage sando & a matcha. The matcha was strong, which I appreciated. The sandwich was very meaty, though I wasn't a fan of some of the rib meat pieces.
Overall, I'd say it's a hipster hangout with a solid menu. Just be sure to get there before the kitchen closes at 3 p.m. & even earlier if you have your heart set on something specific.
Took Pork Katsu Sando with Matcha & Matcha cookie. Sandwich was tender & well marinated/seasoned. Will have to come back for the egg sandwich. Matcha & Cookie were very good. Loved the location, like an underground concrete bunker peeking at the sunlight.
A couple who I met at a bar tipped us off that this is the spot blowing up on IG. Apparently, there's a pretty cool underground cocktail lounge, but we just stuck around for the cafe.
Not sure why, but I almost always defaulted to iced when it comes to matcha & hojicha lattes. I honestly can't remember the last time I ordered one hot, so it was just nice to switch it up & taste something different. Nothing special but still a really solid cup.
The Tamago Sando was fantastic though. Wished the kitchen hadn't forgotten the smoked salmon I added, but even without, it was great. A perfectly fried jammy egg, cracked pepper, & Mornay sauce. Not the traditional Japanese Kewpie mayo route, but this fusion with French Mornay sauce based on béchamel base loaded with Emmental cheese, gave the whole thing a nice savory boost.
Matcha was amazing. Egg sandwich really nice & so was the chicken curry.
Place was very busy & loud music so not somewhere I'd go to relax but would go often for lunch if I lived in Montreal.
