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Hinaga London : Why You Need to Visit

This is day 2 of highlighting small business, and today we are going to Hinaga. A Japanese Kakigori cafe in London

I went to Hinaga London, a new Japanese Kikigori café tucked away in a quiet alley in Fitzrovia. I tried several Kakigori, and here is my honest thought on the cafe.

So, I don’t like using the word “secret,” but honestly, you’d probably miss it if you weren’t paying attention. And maybe that’s what makes it feel a bit special.

A Short History of Kakigori

Kakigori isn’t just “shaved ice.” It’s been part of Japan for over 1,000 years.

Back in the Heian period (794–1185), only rich nobles got to eat it. People would store blocks of ice underground, then shave it into bowls and pour syrup or sweet juice on top. It was so rare that eating kakigori was seen as a luxury. But things have changed after 1800s.

Fast forward to the 1800s, when ice became easier to make and buy. That’s when kakigori turned into a summer treat for everyone. Street stalls popped up across Japan, selling simple versions with syrups and condensed milk.

Today, shops like Hinaga show how far kakigori has come. It’s not just ice with syrup anymore. It’s layers of flavour, fresh ingredients, and creative combinations that make every bite exciting.

Vibe at Hinaga

Hinaga gives a very typical Asian cafe vibe with minimal interior with white background. There are only few tables and coutertop table. So there can be a queue on the weekends. I have already seen few complaints about the seating problem as well.

They also have cute merch.

They have specials every month, but here are the full menu with prices and few dishes I tried.

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