For decades, Japanese pastry chefs learned their trade in Paris and upon returning to Japan, infused French patisserie-style recipes with their own twists. The delicious fusion from the added Japanese flavours results in something simply phenomenal, and once you’ve tried a Japanese patisserie, you’ll want to keep going back.
So where can you find a Japanese-style patisserie in London? There are now several, but a long-standing favourite of both Japanese expats and Japanese cake lovers is WA Café, which has two locations. Due to the success of the original café in Ealing, the owners opened a second branch near Covent Garden in 2018, achieving their dream of creating a Japanese-style patisserie in central London.
WA Café at a glance
What makes WA Café such a popular Japanese patisserie?
Let’s start with the cakes. At either WA Café, you’ll spot a tantalising selection of colourful and stunningly beautiful cakes on display. Expect strawberry shortcakes, matcha rolls and Mont Blanc cakes. Just like in Japan, each one is picture-perfect, making it hard to pick a single favourite.
Now we’ve only just started with the menu. WA Café also has a range of delicious freshly baked goods. Anyone who’s lived in Japan will recognise the staples: sweet buns like anpan and melon pan (named for its melon-like rind pattern rather than its filling), alongside savoury favourites such as chicken katsu sandwiches and curry buns. Matcha croissants are another popular item on the menu, and they sell out quickly.
There are plenty of options for beverages to go along with the excellent culinary options. In addition to the usual teas and coffees, there are a number of Japanese specialised beverages available. If you’re feeling daring (or nostalgic), try a hojicha latte or a kuro goma (black sesame) latte.
Japanese Seasonal Specialities
Japan loves its seasons. When speaking to Japanese people in Japan, you’ll often hear mentions of the the four seasons. You may even be asked whether your home country has four seasons of its own. While the answer for many is yes, the same cannot be stated for a true differentiation of seasonal foods to the level that Japan has.
WA Japanese Patisserie Café keeps in line with culinary traditions by creating some exquisite seasonal gems. Sakura matcha rolls have appeared in spring, fruit sandwiches in summer, and an autumn panna cotta is currently on the menu. If you’re already having trouble deciding what to eat, these dreamy desserts will make your decisions even harder!
Autumn Panna Cotta
Indeed, WA Café’s Autumn Panna Cotta is self-described as the most ‘Japonesque’ dessert they make. Initially, the first thing that catches your eye is the Physalis, or Japanese Lantern Plant, with its orange fruit peering out of the open lantern. Consequently, it’s a delight to see this on top of the dessert, as if you’re wandering through Japanese gardens in the serene early autumn.
Occasionally you see food writers describing a dish as being “a symphony of flavours”. While my writing has not reached this level of grandiosity yet, this dessert really does come with many delicious layers and a multitude of textures and flavours that I’ll try and guide you through.
First, you take a spoonful of the warabi mochi, a traditional Japanese sweet mochi that is pleasantly chewy. The warabi mochi are lightly sprinkled with kinako powder (roasted soybean flour).
Then you have the option of going for the hojicha cream to the side (Hojicha is roasted Japanese tea) or diving straight into the gorgeous Panna Cotta, which has a delicate and slightly nutty Kinako taste to it.
At the bottom, lies a further treasure – a last sweet layer of azuki beans and hojicha jelly. To add to the enjoyment, you have a tiny pipette of kuromitsu (dark sugar syrup) which you can drizzle onto any part of the dessert.
A white chocolate stick tucked behind the Japanese lantern makes a quiet finishing note that was placed behind the Japanese Lantern.
Hojicha Latte
Their hojicha latte is served in a beautiful ceramic cup with no handles on top of a lovely black wooden coaster. The distinct aroma and the unique toasted tea flavour complemented the Panna Cotta perfectly, encouraging customers to savour each sip.
Even by itself, the hojicha latte is an immersive experience. While some are happy to do take-outs, others prefer drinking from the Japanese crockery and enjoying the relaxing café atmosphere.
Which WA Japanese Patisserie?
Depending on where you live, there are a few small differences between the two cafes. Ealing Broadway has larger windows and high ceilings, so there is more natural light. You can get a window seat gazing out onto the green. You’ll probably see more Japanese families coming in and if you like your ceramics and Japanese-style plates, this is perhaps where your first visit should be.
The Covent Garden branch is of course the more convenient one if you are already near Central London, and while there is more seating space, there are a lot of eager people lining up to get in. Don’t let the Ealing branch’s suburban location fool you — tables fill up quickly, and queues often form outside by late Saturday afternoon.
A morning visit is the surer bet for a table — and for the most popular cakes still being available. Maybe more importantly the most popular cakes and pastries will still be available. If you are thinking of getting one of the seasonal or monthly special items, you may want to arrive before 11 am to be on the safe side.
Both WA Café branches deliver the same Japanese-style patisserie experience. Both cafés are well designed and kept spotlessly clean, the staff are warm and professional, and the menu rewards repeat visits. Whether it’s your first encounter with Japanese cakes and pastries, or you are nostalgic for melon pans, WA café has the goods you need!
For more Japanese restaurant and café reviews across London and beyond, browse the rest of our food coverage on Japan Nakama.
