Tombo
Clean design, clean colours, clean food
2016 had an incredible amount of food trends: kale, rainbow bagels, deconstructed desserts, to name a few. One of the biggest trends was all about matcha, the powdered form of green tea. No one is sure how it started, but the passion for it swept across the world – so much so, that a shop has now opened up in the heart of South Kensington’s museum district. This is London’s first Japanese café and matcha bar: Tombo.
Matcha is not the same as green tea: its preparation, colour, and taste are all different. But what sets it apart is the nutritional benefits: one cup of matcha has the same benefits as nine cups of green tea. It’s regarded as a ‘super drink’: it’s full of antioxidants and vitamins to detoxify any harmful bacteria in the body. Additionally, it contains the chemical theanine: this is responsible for the calming effect people look for. With all these benefits, it’s not hard to realise why matcha took off so quickly. Their aim is to provide nutritious and healthy Japanese food all at once, while still showing customers it can be maintained in a contemporary setting. As well as matcha-inspired recipes, they offer rice bowls, as well as traditional sushi too.
What does ‘Tombo’ mean anyways? It’s Japanese for ‘dragonfly’, which they regard as a motif of regeneration and positivity. There are many fascinating aspects to the whole café: the chefs are not tucked away in a kitchen, but in the centre, showing exactly how everything is made. If you do have the chance to order any green teas, they provide a whole range: from ‘refreshing’ to ‘macrobiotic’, you feel the creators have put tremendous thought into the design of the café. It’s even possible to purchase a box of teabags to enjoy at home.
The colour green is everywhere; it’s hard to miss. The thousands of pictures by reviewers all applaud its range of matcha desserts and cakes, a perfect way to top off the meal. Tombo prides itself on its art, and it really should be called that: they provide authentic food with multiple health benefits – what more could you want?
South Kensington: 29 Thurloe Place, SW7 2HQ
Soho: 28 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8EW
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