Matcha Around the Clock: London’s Best Matcha MomentsBy Alicia Grimshaw
Is three courses of matcha too much? We think not. Along with our friends at Vivid Drinks, who make premium matcha powder, we’ve found some of the best matcha delights in London, which will keep you going through breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a matcha party for all! Follow them during #VividMatchaWeek for more matcha goodness – and try these incredible matcha finds in the capital:
Matcha for Breakfast
1. For Matcha Granola: Sticks n Sushi
What: Organic sheep milk yogurt with homemade matcha-granola and fruit compote (£4.50)
The Lowdown: If you’re not familiar with sticks ‘n’ sushi here’s what you need to know; it’s one of the most successful restaurant groups in Denmark and the Danish media have dubbed the restaurant the market leaders in Japanese cuisine. Founded 18 years ago, the restaurant draws on both Danish and Japanese fare – creating a unique cuisine combining both culinary traditions. The decor in the Canary Wharf branch is industrial, sleek and the open kitchen being the focal point of the dining room.
Where: Locations here
2. For a Matcha Smoothie: Mojo
What: Match Madness – Chia and pumpkin seeds, matcha powder, minty chlorophyll, coconut sugar, vanilla, spices and salt (£5.95)
The Lowdown: Mojo just has ‘it’. The ‘it’ being the smoothie list, the brekkie options and the lunch time salad bar. We’ve got a lot of time for Mojo – they’re into nutrient-rich whole foods, avoiding refined sugar and processed food and fully embracing nutritionally balanced food packed full of healthy fats, responsibly sourced proteins and whole grains. Grab a stool and order their sweet like kale smoothie and their toast with orange tahini paste – breakfast sorted.
Where: 8 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8DP
3. For a Matcha Latte: Farm Girl
What: Matcha latte (£3.60)
The Lowdown: Farm Girl in Notting Hill is the hip hangout for the yummy mummy and healthy crowd alike. This Aussie Cafe serve up smoothies, salads and all the brekkie dishes – you’ll be hard pressed to find something you don’t like. Come here for homemade granola, porridge and excellent coffee – you will not be disappointed.
Where: 59a Portobello Rd, London W11 3DB
Matcha Afternoon Tea and Cakes:
4. For a Matcha Treat: Monocle Cafe
What: Matcha hot chocolate (£5)
The Lowdown: Opened in 2013, Monocle Cafe is known for selling an array of Asian-inspired dishes including a Japanese twist on our beloved breakfast, along with serving up chicken curry and beef katsu sandwiches. Their iced coffee is ridiculously good, rich, creamy and delicious. If you don’t fancy a caffeine kick, order the iced tea it’s just as good.
Where: 18 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7QA
5. For a Matcha Doughnut: Crosstown Doughnuts
What: Matcha doughnut (£2.70)
The Lowdown: Since hitting the food scene, Crosstown have seriously upped the doughnut game. The doughnuts from the supermarket do not compare to these dreamy sweet treats. Their dough is a mixture of sourdough and yeast creating a doughnut that has a resilient crumb structure with a slight chew. They add the matcha to their signature Tongan vanilla bean glaze and whack it all over a ringed doughnut – sensational. Order their sea salted caramel and banana cream doughnut for the journey home, it’s our favourite.
Where: Locations here
6. For a Matcha Tea: Bubbleology
What: Milk matcha bubble tea (£3.45)
The Lowdown: Bubbleology take bubble tea very seriously. They serve true, authentic Taiwanese Bubble Tea in London and much like our beloved cuppa, Taiwan are big in the tea business too. Instead of favouring a cup of rosy lee, Bubbeology make flavoured fruit teas and milk teas served ice cold or piping hot with chewy natural tapioca balls. They have every flavour under the sun, we’re talking about banoffee pie, lychee, taro and passionfruit to name but a few. Go crazy and order extra tapioca balls and jelly if you wish.
Where: Locations here
Matcha Drinks and Desserts:
7. For Something Chocolatey: Nobu
What: Chocolate Bento Box – Chocolate fondant with green tea ice cream (£11.50)
The Lowdown: Opened in 1997, Nobu London was the first European venture for the world renowned Japanese Chef, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Opened in conjunction with partners Robert de Niro, restaurateur Drew Nieporent and hotel owner Christina Ong brought Japanese fusion food to London for the first time. The menu at Nobu London captures Matsuhisa’s “new style” Japanese cuisine, where traditional Japanese techniques meet South American flavours.
Where: 19 Old Park Lane, London
8. For Matcha After Dinner: LÁNG at the Shangri-La
What: Matcha macaroons
The Lowdown: Found inside the Shangri-La hotel, LANG is the hotel’s artisan deli selling signature cakes, fresh coffee, chocolates and pastries. LÁNG, meaning ‘pathway’ in Chinese, also serves a pretty cracking afternoon tea with a range of sandwiches – oh hello, Cornish crab with smoked paprika and chives. If you’re a tea fan, they have an exclusive selection of teas that spread furthers that your classic English brekkie.
Where: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
9. For a Refreshing Matcha: Roka
What: Green tea and passionfruit cocktail
The Lowdown: 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: Locations here
Photo Credit: Serge Osipoff
10. For a Matcha Moment: Blank Street
What: Blank Street is helping the country beat the 3pm slump, with their Meeting For Matcha tool helps distract calendar snoopers by creating a cleverly named meeting and adding it automatically to Outlook, Google or Apple calendars.
The Lowdown:With Blank Street’s matcha offering including the Classic Matcha, the viral Blueberry Matcha, the silky-smooth White Chocolate Matcha and the brand new Golden Matcha, there is something to inspire every matcha lover to take a little time out.
Where: Locations here
11. For a Matcha Biscuit: Cutter & Squidge
What: ‘OMG It’s Green’ Biskie
The Lowdown: Cutter & Squidge’s ‘OMG it’s green’ biskie is made from pure matcha green tea, which gives it its lovely green colour. They make amazing biskies here – among the delights in the shop are Dream Cakes, Chocolate Gems, Honeycomb, Jams and the award winning Cutter & Squidge Salted Caramel, which recently won 3 stars and was listed as a Top 20 product in the latest Great Taste Awards. The Biskie is also strongly represented, with over 16 flavour options including a white chocolate and raspberry option and an opulent Billionaire Biskie made with 24ct gold and Belgian chocolate.
Where: 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ
Post in association with Vivid Drinks as part #VividMatchaWeek – follow them on Twitter here for more information.