Is Tokkia Covent Garden Worth the Visit?

Stop assuming all matcha cafés are the same

London just got a Korean one and it quietly stands apart

London doesn’t need another matcha café. Or at least, that’s what it feels like until you walk into Tokkia in Covent Garden.

At first glance, it’s simple. A café entirely focused on matcha. No coffee, no long menu, no background noise fighting for attention. But Tokkia isn’t really about doing matcha differently in an obvious way. What sets it apart is quieter than that. It’s the perspective behind it.

Tokkia is a Korean matcha house, which is still surprisingly rare in London. And that shift alone changes how the whole place feels.

Everyone thinks matcha is Japanese

Korean matcha tells a softer story

Tokkia works with Korean matcha, often called malcha. Compared to many Japanese styles, it is less sharp and more rounded.
The drinks are whisked to order, and the menu stays intentionally tight.

You will recognise the formats. Matcha latte, long matcha, seasonal variations.
But the flavour feels calmer. It is made for people who want to drink matcha regularly, not just try it once.

This space does not behave like Covent Garden

Calm by design, not by accident

Covent Garden cafés are usually hectic. Tokkia feels like it exists on a completely different rhythm.

Despite the location, the space is quiet and unforced. The interior is warm and minimal, with enough room to sit comfortably without feeling rushed out. There are multiple matcha bars, so you can watch drinks being made, but it never feels like a performance.

Everything feels considered rather than staged.

The food is small but intentional

Salt bread that makes sense with tea

Instead of offering a full bakery spread, Tokkia focuses on Korean salt bread. Soft on the inside, lightly salty, and genuinely good with matcha.

Some versions are filled with matcha or hojicha cream, but nothing leans overly sweet. The food supports the tea rather than competing with it. It feels like it understands why you came in.

Service here slows you down

Less transaction, more presence

Service is unhurried. Staff tend to explain the menu if you ask, guide you through choices, and give you time. It does not feel like fast coffee culture.

That alone makes Tokkia stand out. In an area built on turnover, this place allows you to stay.

Is Tokkia London Worth the Visit?

A different voice in an already crowded scene

Matcha is already everywhere in London. What Tokkia adds is not hype, but nuance. A Korean perspective on something many people assume they already know.

It is not loud. It is not trying to convince you. It simply shows another way matcha can exist.

If you want a calm place in Covent Garden that feels intentional, or you are curious about matcha beyond the usual narrative, Tokkia is worth your time.