About Time You Tried: London’s Best Matcha Treats by Vivid DrinksBy Angelica Malin
Did you know it’s Vivid Matcha Week? To mark the special week, the matcha experts at Vivid Drinks have used their matcha knowledge to discover the best matcha treats in London. Here’s founder James’ picks for the best matcha delights in the capital:
1. Matcha Ice Cream Sundae at Flesh and Buns
What: Bone Daddies Sundae – matcha ice cream, blueberries, honeycomb (£6)
Why: If you like being spoilt for choice when it comes to dessert, then head to Flesh & Buns. There’s everything from chocolate fondant with matcha ice cream (simply divine) to an entire dessert platter, priced at £22, with six different desserts to share. Absolutely dreamy. Flesh & Buns is famous for their fun, tasty Asian cuisine – London tip, head here after 10pm for the £20 express menu!
Where: 41 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LX
2. Iced Matcha Latte at Tombo, South Kensington
What: Iced Matcha Latte (£4.20)
Why: This popular family-run Japanese café is London’s first dedicated matcha bar. They concentrate on three things: sushi, matcha and tea and execute each one in fine fashion. All of their sushi is handmade and freshly prepared by their sushi experts and the green tea and matcha used at Tombo have been sourced from the foothills of Mt. Fuji – there’s certainly no sub standard ingredients used here. Try the Matcha Frappe for something deliciously different.
Where: 29 Thurloe Place, South Kensington, SW7 2HQ
3. Matcha KitKats at Japan Centre, Piccadilly Circus
What: Matcha KitKats and much more here
Why: Established in 1976, the Japan Centre Food Hall is a well-loved institution situated in Central London. Today, Japan Centre Food Hall incorporates a supermarket bursting with authentic Japanese food and drink, a bookstore offering up to date manga, magazines and gifts and a bakery which produces hand-made and hard to find Japanese baked breads and desserts. If you like matcha, you’ll be in heaven here – they have everything you can imagine, including our favourite matcha KitKats, of course! You can also buy everything online – see the range here.
Where: 19, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ED
4. Matcha Latte at Holborn Dining Room
What: Matcha Latte (£3.70)
Why: Holborn Dining Room is the ultimate breakfast and dinner spot; the grand brasserie serves up seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine with a twist in a vibrantly bustling dining salon. Combining reclaimed oak with antique mirrors, red leather banquettes with tweed detailing, and two antique patina copper-topped bars, it’s a place for enjoying a meal with friends. And a cracking matcha latte.
Where: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
What: Dark chocolate and green tea pudding, crunchy jivara, pear ice cream (£10)
Why: Just look at it. This beauty is a prime example of Roka’s innovative and mesmerising cuisine – every dish here is full of colour, art and vibrancy. Come to Roka for all the Japanese goodness; everything from yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing to seared beef with black truffle dressing. We absolutely love their gyoza, too – try the black cod, crab and crayfish dumplings for a taste of heaven. Go all out and get the premium tasting menu – £83 per person and worth every bite!
Where: 37 Charlotte St, London W1T 1RR
Photo Credit: Jean Cazal
6. Matcha Milkshake at Viet Grill
What: Matcha Milkshake (£4)
Why: This modern yet cosy restaurant in Shoreditch is the perfect backdrop to serve up the light and aromatic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine. Come here for everything from Banh Xeo Vietnamese pancake with prawns and chicken to coconut Ecuador prawns, simmered in coconut juice and light fish sauce. The green papaya salad with sesame-cured beef, Thai basil and nuoc cham vinaigrette is dreamy.
Where: 58 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP
7. Matcha Cheesecake at Shoryu Ramen
What: Matcha Cheesecake (£5.90)
Why: Head to Shoryu Ramen for steaming hot bowls of ramen and other noodle delights. Hailing from the Hakata district of Fukuoka city, Shoryu prepares Hakata tonkotsu ramen, with a number of different toppings. Their ramen menu is extensive and they also serve charcoal grilled skewers and sashimi. Leave room for their matcha cheesecake, not too heavy with a subtle matcha kick – the dream.
Where: Locations here
Photo courtesy of Louise Jyun
8. Matcha Macarons at Yauatcha
What: Matcha Macarons (£6 for 2)
Why: What happens when you pair Chinese dim sum with European patisseries? You get very happy customers and Instagrams a plenty. Yauatcha is vey different to other dim sum restaurants in London, they pride themselves on their Chinese cuisine, whilst also creating innovative European treats using authentic Chinese elements such as tea and savoury ingredients. Their macarons are a thing of beauty – try the matcha flavour for something incredible and very unusual.
Where: 15-17 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL
