For an authentic Hong Kong breakfast experience in London, HOKO on Brick Lane, E1, offers a nostalgic taste of home. Inspired by the classic Cha Chaan Teng (Hong Kong-style cafés), HOKO brings beloved morning staples to the heart of Shoreditch. With its cosy, kitsch interiors and a menu steeped in tradition, this café recreates the flavours and culture of Hong Kong’s iconic eateries. Whether you’re seeking the best breakfast on Brick Lane or a weekend brunch in E1, HOKO is the top choice for a flavour of Hong Kong in London.
“HOKO pays homage to Hong Kong cafes with a winning weekend breakfast featuring set menus and signature staples from Hong Kong style pork chop to satay beef, French toast and their famous milk tea,” Homegirl London.
HOKO Weekend Breakfast Menu
My partner and I were eager to try their breakfast menu, available only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00 am to 11.45 am. Upon entering the café, you are guided to the digital menu board, where you can select your items, pay and then take a seat. We ordered a few vegetarian options, all containing butter, which is not ideal for high cholesterol but acceptable as an occasional treat. When our food arrived, I noticed it all appeared similar in colour, shades of yellow and light brown! That may not sound particularly appealing, but everything was incredibly tasty.
The scrambled egg roll was the highlight of the meal. The combination of a slightly crusty white roll filled with a perfectly fluffy egg was so delicious that I can confidently say it’s the best egg roll I’ve ever tasted.
Accompanying this, we enjoyed a serving of buttered sweetcorn, served warm and lightly coated in just the right amount of butter to enhance its natural sweetness.
We couldn’t resist the Hong Kong style French toast to finish our meal. It was made with thick-cut milk bread, lightly battered, and fried to a golden perfection. The toast was slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with butter that rapidly melted and spread across it. If you prefer it sweet, drizzle it with the syrup provided on the table. You can also opt for peanut butter on your French toast (which I dislike so avoided).
I washed down my breakfast with a cup of their signature Hong Kong milk tea. The tea is brewed using the traditional ‘silk stocking’ method, which imparts a stewed flavour. Meanwhile, my partner opted for the pre-packaged coffee, a nod to the grab-and-go culture prevalent in Hong Kong’s fast-paced cafés.
Beyond our choices, the weekend breakfast menu at HOKO showcases ham macaroni soup, satay beef noodles and char siu soup accompanied by a fried egg bun. The vegetarian option features tomato macaroni soup with scrambled eggs, a toasted bun and buttered corn. Furthermore, you may choose from the à la carte section, which includes char siu BBQ pork. The all-day menu presents a Brick Lane char siu beigel, which is appropriate as the street boasts two beigel shops famed for their rivalry.
Watch My HOKO Video
Helpful Information About HOKO Brick Lane
The dining area is located a few steps down towards the back of the establishment. The interiors evoke the nostalgic and cinematic feel of Cha Chaan Teng, giving the space a comfy and kitsch retro. It could have been a scene from a Wes Anderson film.
The café is located at 224 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA, merely a short stroll from Shoreditch High Street Overground Station. It is open from noon until 8.30 pm on weekdays. On weekends, it opens at 9.00 am and closes at 7.00 pm. The weekend breakfast menu is available exclusively from 9.00 am to 11.45 am. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely morning meal in the heart of Shoreditch. For further information, visit the HOKO website.
If you want to explore the area, you may find this article of interest:
Ten Things To Do In Brick Lane
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and what the opening times are before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
