Toconoco

A Hidden Gem for Japanese Comfort Food Spent a relaxing afternoon at this charming Japanese café and was pleasantly surprised by how warm and welcoming the atmosphere was. Despite being quite busy, the space felt cozy and family-oriented—perfect for a casual catch-up with a friend. We ordered two onigiris: one tuna mayo and one prawn dashi mayo. Both were fresh, flavorful, and the rice had that perfect balance of seasoning and texture. The hot udon soup with fried tofu was pure comfort in a bowl—rich, savory broth and perfectly chewy noodles. To top it off, we had hot genmai tea, which was toasty and soothing, and the matcha cheesecake of the day, which was light, not overly sweet, and a lovely way to end the meal. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, and the vibe of the place made us want to linger a little longer. Will definitely be coming back!

Very cute japanese cafe near Haggerston. They offer simple and nice breakfast/lunch. I love the food and drinks. Went here twice for hojicha latte and then a set meal with matcha. They also offer soba, desserts and everything looks good. It is also a family friendly restaurant as it has a small playground.

This Japanese cafe is located on Hertford Road near Hackney, close to the river and about a 10 mins walk from the Overground station. The cafe is quite small, with limited outdoor seating, but the staff are very nice. They offer a variety of Japanese snacks, meals, and desserts. We ordered the fish flake rice ball, cold udon with smoked mackerel, natto meal, iced matcha latte, matcha latte, sesame ice cream, and sesame cheesecake. The rice ball and sesame ice cream were quite good, but the others were fairly average. The iced matcha latte looked as if it had been served to someone else, giving it an unappealing appearance. Both matcha lattes lacked a rich matcha flavor and were more on the milky side.

A small Japanese cafe by the Canal side of Hertford Road. I like coming here for ice drinks and small nibbles. Great quiet cafe for laptop work! And a good view.

Nice japanese cafe by the canal! Serene atmosphere, nice music, delicious food and tasty coffee! I tried the salmon chaste and it was very filling! I would like to return for tea and dessert!!

The cold soba noodles were delightful; as were the lattes and homemade ice cream. However, the absolute star of the show was that perfectly seasoned steamed egg. Its flavour lives on fondly in my memories.

Toconoco is a real hidden gem by the canal. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and just a little bit magical — perfect for a relaxing afternoon. The Japanese snacks and meals are fresh, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavour. Their teas are exceptional, with delicate aromas that pair perfectly with the food. The staff are friendly and attentive without being intrusive, and the playroom for kids makes it a stress-free outing for families. Sitting by the large windows with the canal view is a treat in itself — it’s calm, bright, and peaceful. If you’re looking for a cosy spot to enjoy quality Japanese comfort food while watching the world drift by on the water, Toconoco is well worth the visit.

Nice local cafe to relax. The genmaicha latte and chawamunshi were my favourite. The pottery is very unique.

Very nice Japanese Café in a quite but hidden place. I had a pot of Houji-cha Tea and a Ume Onigiri which made it a nice alternative breakfast. I came here mostly for the Onigiri since it is one of the very few spots (that I am aware of) in London where they make them.

If you have children then this might be the perfect place for you. Quality food and drinks along the canal with the entire cafe as a playroom. As someone without children I found the entire experience quite distracting when trying to have a conversation in a schoolyard at lunchtime. That said, the menu is refreshingly traditional Japanese with such high quality that can't easily be found elsewhere nearby. I tried both the matcha latte and black sesame latte, both exhibiting deep flavour profiles. Having asked for a sweet matcha it delivered on it. Friends that frequent the establishment recommended their order of miso soup, prawn rice ball and hot tea. The rice balls are huge and come in an assortment of toppings whilst the miso soup was loaded with tofu and seaweed. This seems to be a popular place amongst the locals for good reason. It would be better during the summer when one could sit outside and escape the madness within.

Very cute spot hidden off the path of the canal. They have a good selection of homemade Japanese type cakes with matcha and sesame flavorings. We ordered the matcha and black sesame latte and I don't know why, but we got jipped from getting the cute ceramic cups and just got a regular glass tumblers. Not sure if it's smaller too....don't want to get skimped esp how the drinks aren't on the cheap side. Taste is good. The wifi didn't work for me.

This is one of those places that only makes 10 dishes between sweet and savory, and each one of them is spot on. I love love love their soba noodles! I always get extra seaweed, mackerel and eggs, and life smiles up at me. Their little rice triangles are great too! Try if in the area, it's tiny but homely and adorable!

Brilliant tea, lovely play area for little ones, nice playlist and staff, loads of space and light... what else? Will certainly visit again.

Nothing is better than japanese 'home style' food that actually feels 'home style', they don't always get everything right, but the staff is really down to earth. I enjoy coming here.

Lovely breakfast here, feels very authentic Japanese (although Ive never been so cant be sure!) Lovely laid back vibes..