Mowchi has cafes across the UK, with four based in LondonWe tried viral Japanese sandos for under a tenner
I have always wanted to try the famous Japanese sandwiches but have never known which place does it best. Mowchi kept popping up on my social media, and they are not short of locations. I made my way to the original Mowchi cafe in Mile End, which opened its doors back in 2022.
The minimalist cafe offers East Asian fusion treats, from small snacks and drinks like matchas and bubble teas to bigger meals like their viral sandos.
The cafe’s atmosphere is one of its highlights, with a pleasing vibe, perfect for relaxing and tucking into your food. I would stay there all day working.
The place design is really soothing(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
I knew going to the cafe and not trying the sandwiches would be a big mistake. They had several tasty options, but I went for The Great Katsu, which included spicy katsu fried chicken, Japanese mayo, lettuce, crispy onions and chilli.
The fluffy toasted bread went perfectly with the flavourful Japanese ingredients. I was full after devouring it.
The best part is that all sandos come with complimentary Cajun crinkle-cut fries, full of flavour and spice – a perfect complement to the meaty dish. And all that is £8.90.
Next time, I really want to try the Beef Encounter, filled with pulled beef, melted cheese, lettuce, sriracha, Japanese mayo, pickled cabbage and crispy onions for £9.90. There were just too many good options.
Screenshot(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
That’s not all when it comes to sandos, as they also serve a sweet version: the truly viral Japanese sweet sando – golden sweet shokupan with brown sugar and fresh cream. I had to go for the classic strawberry option, although they also offer mango and creme brûlée, which I definitely will be back to try.
Even though the sweet sando strikes a perfect balance between creaminess and freshness – and I would happily eat another – £7.50 still feels steep for a dessert.
Food options under £10 don’t end there. There are also rice bowls, like The Spicy Tofu (£9.50), which includes fried Korean BBQ tofu, with white rice, kimchi, spring onions and chilli.
There are more strawberries inside the sandwich!(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
They have multiple bao buns on the menu too, like the Tiger Teriyaki (£8.90), which is fried chicken in teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, crispy onions and Japanese mayo.
Mowchi is also recognised for its indulgent drinks, with the Spanish Pistachio latte – a permanent menu favourite at £5.20 – sitting alongside bubble tea options priced between £4.90 and £6.50.
For the winter, they offer seasonal drinks which have received all the hype, like the Praline Pie Latte and the Banana Puddin’ Matcha, £5.50 each, and available in both iced and hot.
The cafe is great for students and those who want to work from home, but need a change of scenery. The Mile End cafe is only a short 6-minute walk from Mile End station, and easy to find right on Mile End Road.
Mowchi has locations all over the UK. The four London-based ones are in Camden, Wembley, East Ham and Mile End. The others are located in Canterbury, Lakeside and Bradford.
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