Mowchi: How a Minimalist Café Concept from East London is Brewing Global Opportunity

Introduction

When Syeda Kayanath opened the first Mowchi café in Mile End, London, she set out to do more than serve great coffee. Drawing from her background in hospitality, marketing, and brand development, she envisioned a space that embodied the calm elegance of East Asian design, fused with bold flavours and inclusive vibes.

What emerged is Mowchi: a minimalist café concept that fuses premium matcha, bubble tea, and handcrafted Asian-fusion dishes like bao buns and Japanese sandos - all served in a setting designed for community, creativity, and connection.

A Concept with Cultural Depth

Mowchi is not just a café; it's a curated experience. Every design detail - from serene interiors to the gentle branding - supports the brand's mission to offer guests a relaxing retreat from the rush of daily life.

Its food offering draws influence from Korean and Japanese street food, modernised for a new generation. Signature drinks like iced matcha and bubble teas pair perfectly with inventive bites including bao-gers and rice bowls.

The brand also champions flexibility, offering both dine-in cafés and kiosk formats ideal for high-footfall locations.

Rooted in Community, Ready for Growth

Following the success of its flagship in East London - positioned strategically beside Queen Mary University - Mowchi has expanded across the UK with stores in Bradford, Lakeside Shopping Centre, and beyond.

Each location is tailored to its surrounding community, maintaining the brand's commitment to vibrant, study-friendly, and tech-integrated spaces. Mowchi Bradford, for example, recently underwent a redesign to add improved seating, study zones, and a bold new street food-inspired menu.

Franchise Model Designed for the Future

With multiple franchise licenses already sold in the UK, Mowchi is now seeking visionary partners for international expansion. Priority markets include the GCC, MENA, South Asia, and Europe.

Ideal franchisees will have hospitality experience, access to key real estate, and the ambition to launch a minimum of five units per market.

Gulf Franchise Group is proud to support Mowchi's global journey - providing franchisees with world-class training, streamlined operations, and marketing support.

As Syeda puts it: “We want to build a brand that stands for calm, creativity, and community - where people can connect over quality food and drinks in an environment that feels like home.”