Kissaten

On Soho's Old Compton Street, Kissaten brings together traditional Japanese tea culture and the modern bubble tea trend. It has run for years in this neighbourhood, and each drink leans on that mix of the two cultures.

The bubble tea is where Kissaten does things its own way. Rather than the standard brown sugar pearls, it makes hand-made tapioca in permanent flavours such as Honey, Rose and Taro, which changes both the texture and the taste. The interior draws on traditional Japanese aesthetics, calm but with some life to it.

There are seasonal additions too. Limited edition flavours like Matcha and Strawberry yoghurt appear around occasions such as Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year. Built on blending Taiwanese and Japanese traditions in one cup, Kissaten has become a regular stop for bubble tea fans and curious first-timers alike.