I started the month of March with a lingering anxiety. Not out of nowhere, but from the never-ending chaos of political and economic uncertainty. Still, I tried to keep moving. I kept working, stayed productive, and hit the gym, hoping the rush of endorphins would boost my mental well-being.

Beyond the daily grind, I looked for small sparks of joy, something to break the monotony. Luckily, the city had something special lined up.

A Sunday Like No Other

Sundays are usually my reset days: rest, a bit of cleaning, and stocking up on food before the new week begins. If I want to go out, I make it a Saturday thing. But this time, there was an exception.

About a week ago, Cafe Tampopo announced on Instagram that they were hosting a special event in collaboration with Cinema Orion to celebrate the cinema’s 97th anniversary. Say no more. I was in.

The last time I visited Cafe Tampopo, I fell in love with their sando, coffee with cute latte art, and cozy atmosphere. Now, the chance to enjoy their sando while watching an exceptional film in one of Helsinki’s oldest and most beautiful cinemas? Absolutely worth giving up my usual Sunday routine.

A Perfect Collaboration

Cinema Orion and Cafe Tampopo sit right next to each other, and their collaboration for the anniversary event made perfect sense. Cafe Tampopo is, after all, named after Tampopo, the 1985 film by Juzo Itami. For this special occasion, the café opened on a Sunday (which they normally don’t) and offered a 10% discount on all menu items for those with a Tampopo screening ticket. They also introduced two limited-edition sandos for this event: Ramen Topping Sando and Tampopo Flower Fruit Sando.

Ramen in a sando? The idea caught me off guard at first, but after reading the movie’s synopsis about a noodle shop owner on a quest for the perfect ramen, it all made sense. As for the flower fruit sando, Tampopo means dandelion in Japanese, tying everything together perfectly. A brilliant food option for customers while living up to the hype. No surprise that both the movie tickets and the sandos sold out. Helsinki was clearly excited about this event.

A Packed Café and a Beautiful Cinema

I arrived at the café about an hour before the movie. The place was packed, but thankfully, I had pre-ordered my sando. All I had to do was mention my name, pay, and I was good to go.

With my sando in hand, I wandered through Orion’s beautifully nostalgic hall. Balloons were set up in the center to celebrate the anniversary, there was a snack corner, and the whole place had this old-school cinema charm, complete with classic-style ticket booths.

One thing to note: there were no assigned seats. As soon as the theater doors opened, everyone queued up to grab their preferred spot.

The Outstanding Flower Fruit Sando

I chose the Tampopo Flower Fruit Sando, not because the ramen sando wasn’t intriguing, but because I had been craving their fruit sando since my last visit. Before the movie started, I decided to enjoy it while I could still appreciate how pretty it looked before the light was dimmed. And let me tell you: it was so good.

I’m usually picky with sweets. I love a treat that isn’t overwhelmingly sugary, and I’m not a big fan of whipped cream. But Tampopo’s whipped cream never feels heavy. The flower fruit sando was packed with cream, yet it didn’t leave me feeling thirsty or overwhelmed. A perfect 10/10.

The Movie & A Serene Ending

Then, the film began. Tampopo was really entertaining. It uses humor to explore Japanese food culture and its deeper social themes. A great choice for a Sunday afternoon. Lighthearted yet meaningful, a refreshing way to unwind before the start of a new week.

As I stepped out of the cinema, the café was still buzzing with energy, filled with people soaking in the lively atmosphere. And on my way home, the sky was perfectly clear. I could see a waxing crescent moon, with Venus shining brightly nearby.

No Regrets (Though I Might Be Craving More LOL!)

For someone who usually spends Sundays at home, this was a day well spent: good food, a great film, and a beautiful evening to top it off. And if I’m being honest, I’m already craving another fruit sando and a cozy movie night like this. Maybe stepping out on a Sunday isn’t so bad after all.