Tsuchi Cafe

What is Tsuchi Cafe? Situated on College Street in Little Italy, Tsuchi Cafe is a plant-based Japanese cafe and confectionery founded in 2020 by pastry chef Haruna Makino and restaurateur Koji Zenimaru. The room embraces a calm, wabi-sabi-inspired design with textured earthen walls, dark wood millwork, potted greenery, and warm natural light. Seating is limited and intimate, revolving around a few bench perches and counter seats geared toward relaxed midday dining and takeaway.

Tsuchi Cafe Menu & What to Order The 100% vegan kitchen transforms traditional Japanese cafe staples into precise plant-based dishes. Savoury signatures include the soy-protein Karaage with house mayo, the deeply flavourful 12-Spice Curry, and crisp Karepan. Makino's pastry counter is equally essential: do not miss the jarred Matcha Tiramisu whipped with airy soy cream or the seasonal cheesecakes, best washed down with an iced Miso Caramel Macchiato or Kyoto-sourced Hojicha Latte.

Know Before You Go Tsuchi operates on a counter-order, walk-in model with no reservations, making peak weekend lunch windows tight for indoor seating. While the cafe serves espresso, matcha drinks, and pastries all day, hot kitchen food has specific daytime cutoff hours. The 506 Carlton streetcar stops right outside, and frozen restaurant-grade ramen and tantan noodle kits are stocked in the freezer for home cooking.