The culinary influence of the Asian continent in Berlin goes far beyond Pad Thai and Pho soup. Asian cafés, ice cream parlours and bakeries that impress with their coffee culture and desserts can be found all over the city. Next to matcha, ube and black sesame latte, Italian espresso suddenly seems quite inconspicuous.
Tip 1: Puffle Bees croissant waffles with an Asian touch
It all started at Puffle Bees in Brunnenstraße in 2021 with the Lotus cookie waffle. Since then, the range has grown and today there is a variety of delicious pastries with all the toppings a gourmet's heart desires. Many of the delicate croissant waffles are made from vegan puff pastry and optionally topped with vegan sauces. You can choose between sweet toppings, fruit or savoury options and, if you're more hungry, you can also opt for the more substantial egg drop sandwich (also available with meat). The perfect place for brunch dates, a relaxed afternoon with friends or simply for a small (to medium-sized) appetite.
Where: Brunnenstraße 165, Mitte
When: Monday to Friday 10am - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm
Tip 2: Hand-crocheted figures and Chinese baking at Moii Café
The Moii Café is a rare gem in Berlin's café landscape. The design concept impresses with its harmonious decoration, a small selection of cute, hand-crocheted dolls and ceramics and, of course, the delicious little cakes in the display case. There is also original Chinese tea and strong Berlin coffee. The highlight at Moii is the mooncakes: These are Moii's own creations, inspired by the millennia-old tea culture of the Chinese Song dynasty. The little treats are not only colourful, but also so artfully arranged that you almost don't want to eat them. But you should try, because the little cakes made from white bean paste really do taste heavenly.
Where: Fasanenstraße 46, Wilmersdorf
When: Wednesday to Friday 12 - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 - 7:30pm
Tip 3: Enjoy Japanese-American fusion at Momo Mochi Donut
At Momo Mochi Donut in Prenzlauer Berg, you can feel the Japanese flair not only because of the cool, minimalist interior. The small café also impresses when it comes to culinary creativity and colourful presentation: here you can enjoy original Japanese mochi donuts, which are a cut above their American siblings when it comes to chewiness. The combination of rice and wheat flour makes the donuts extra soft and they are served in many variations at Momo Mochi: You can choose from matcha, black sesame, mango sticky rice and ube toppings. They are best enjoyed in combination with one of the unusual drinks, as Momo Mochi also has one or two highlights in store when it comes to liquid delicacies.
Where: Heinrich-Roller-Straße 10, Prenzlauer Berg
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm
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Tip 4: Korean delicacies at Café Hanjan
At Café Hanjan in Charlottenburg, you can embark on a culinary journey to Korea while your little ones have fun in the cosy play corner. Directly opposite the Elephant Gate of the Zoological Garden, creative creations of Korean cuisine such as bingsu, a fine shaved ice artistically decorated with fruit, nuts or matcha, await you. Savoury dishes such as rice bowls and teok-kkochi (rice cake skewers) are also on the menu. For those with a sweet tooth, there is also Honey Butter Bread with sweet toppings, and for hungry zoo visitors, there is a wide range of sandwich variations on the menu. A special highlight: the cosy atmosphere and the colourful matcha lattes - perfect for a little break in the middle of Berlin!
Where: Budapester Straße 41, Charlottenburg
When: Monday to Friday from 12 noon - 6pm, Saturday from 11am - 6pm, Sunday from 11 am - 7 pm
Tip 5: Enjoy delicious baguettes with a Vietnamese twist at Amy's Coffee
In the immediate vicinity of the Natural History Museum, you can enjoy Vietnamese delicacies at Amy's Coffee in a cosy atmosphere surrounded by warm wooden furniture, lots of plants and an inviting ambience. Aromatic coffee from Vietnam with creamy avocado or fresh coconut offer you a flavour experience that goes far beyond the traditional latte macchiato. In addition to the crispy Bánh mì baguette, filled with homemade pâté, salad and a choice of grilled tofu, creamy scrambled eggs or tender chicken fillet, other highlights such as fragrant Pho Vietnam, fresh Pocke Bowls, Hot Iron Lunch and Sushi await you. Aromatic coffee, homemade iced teas, lassies or hot tea are the perfect accompaniment!
Where: Platz vor dem Neuen Tor 2, Mitte
When: Monday to Sunday 9am - 7pm
Tip 6: Immerse yourself in Southeast Asian coffee culture at Dongnam Coffee Lab
The whole of Berlin is teeming with French, Italian and German cafés that advertise their own roasts and Mediterranean flair. But what about Asian coffee culture? Answers to this question can be found at Dongnam Coffee Lab - and they taste delicious. The stylish café serves unusual drinks such as the creamy egg presso or the antioxidant-rich black bean latte. In addition to exceptional coffee specialities, there are homemade noodle bowls, sourdough breads and Asian-inspired cakes. In the modern interior made of bamboo and black metal, you can savour the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and be enchanted by the impressive variety of Southeast Asian roasts.
Where: Kurfürstendamm 105, Charlottenburg
When: Monday to Friday 9 - 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 - 5:30pm
Tip 7: Spend an afternoon in an East Asian café at Café de Luna
In Prenzlauer Berg, Café de Luna immerses you in a Berlin version of an East Asian café that is sweet in the truest sense of the word. The lovingly decorated interior not only serves handmade cakes, but also creative brunch options and delicious pancakes. Asian influences are reflected in unusual creations such as the Matcha Crêpe. You can feast outside or inside and even on two levels - because the first impression is deceptive: in the rather small café room with cake counter, a staircase leads down to an equally cosy basement. Whichever you choose, Café de Luna always offers warm service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Where: Kastanienallee 36A, Prenzlauer Berg
When: Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 8pm
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Tip 8: Enjoy French-Japanese baking at Café Komine
Café Komine in Schöneberg combines French patisserie art and Japanese flavours to create culinary masterpieces. Since 2016, Japanese pastry chef Shin Komine has been creating cakes in his charming café that are true works of art in terms of both flavour and appearance. The Mont Blanc - a sweet chestnut creation with a cassis filling - is particularly popular with guests. Matcha tiramisu and tartlets with yuzu jelly also delight Berlin's gourmets. At Komine, the focus is on precision and perfection. You can taste it: every dessert is a unique delight. Look forward to sweet delicacies with Japanese tea or coffee in an atmosphere that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the big city for a while.
Where: Welserstraße 13-15, Schöneberg
When: Saturday and Sunday 12 - 6pm
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Tip 9: Become a soya expert at Soi & Co. become a soya expert
The Soi & Co. café and concept store in Mitte is all about the versatile soya bean. Here you will find a delicious selection of vegan desserts and drinks that celebrate Asian soya culture. Enjoy a homemade soya milk prepared in a traditional stone mill and combine the drink with delicious creations such as tofu cheesecake, chocolate miso brownies and matcha mung bean desserts. In a minimalist, Asian-inspired ambience, you can not only enjoy vegan and sustainable food here, but also learn a lot about the art of soya preparation.
Where: Linienstraße 205, Mitte
When: Daily 12 - 7pm
Tip 10: Japanese ice cream fun awaits you at Tenzan Lab
In the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, the Tenzan Lab takes you into the fascinating world of traditional Japanese ice cream, Kakigōri. Unlike the ice cream we are familiar with, kakigōri is scraped by hand from large, crystal-clear blocks of ice until it turns into fine, snow-like flakes. The ice cream melts slowly and is refined by the knowledgeable experts at the Tenzan Lab with creative and delicious toppings, including matcha mascarpone, avocado, mango, sake kasu or custard cream kinako. Thanks to the unique preparation technique, the ice cream remains particularly fluffy and literally melts in the mouth. The Tenzan Lab is a must for anyone looking for a new ice cream experience!
Where: Wörther Straße 22, Prenzlauer Berg
When: Tuesday to Friday 12 - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am - 6pm
Tip 11: At Always Together, you are the main character of a manga
A very special café experience awaits you in the heart of Berlin: the 2D café Always Together. Here, you'll feel like you've stepped straight into a comic book - the interior is completely black and white and is reminiscent of drawn manga scenes. Hand-painted furniture and decorative elements visually merge into a two-dimensional space and provide the perfect backdrop for selfies. But it's not just the design that's impressive: be sure to try the Bingsu, a Korean dessert speciality made from crushed ice, or be surprised by creative drinks such as the Ube Latte or the Black Sesame Latte - because the taste here is also three-dimensionally delicious, we promise!
Where: Große Hamburger Straße 24, Mitte
When: Tuesday to Sunday 12 - 10pm
