Okja is a hugely popular vegan bakery and coffee spot near Spitalfields. It is a brand that started in South Africa and now has found a loyal following in the UK capital.
But things are changing and not all the changes are welcome.
Read more below.
The line up of pastries at Okja is exceptional, considered by many people to be one of the best if not the best vegan bakery in London. Sweet croissants, savoury scrolls, cookies, and gingerbread. And don’t forget they make their own plant-based milks and butter in house.
But now we have a few bits of news that throw a spanner in the works.
Okja has opened a SECOND location in central London, this time on Liverpool Street right next door to the entrance of Boxhall opposite the station entrance. I popped in yesterday with the intention of making a Reel to help promote the new location, however something surprised me.
The coffee menu board contains the following wording: Dairy milk is available on request.
This is surprising and disappointing because Okja has famously been a completely plant-based business until now. When I asked the team if the original Spitalfields location was also serving dairy, I was told no. Serving dairy is a trial in this second location only.
I have no insight into why the company is doing this but as a vegan consumer, I am feeling sad about this decision. I also want to to raise awareness for anyone looking for coffee to make sure you know the situation and order accordingly.
Okja Liverpool Street is still serving all vegan pastries and oat milk is advertised as the default milk.
Extra note: Okja has announced they are closing all of their South Africa locations, instead focussing on the UK for cafes. The brand will continue to manufacture and sell their plant-based products for retail in South Africa.
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This is such a shame. Surely they understand that much of the support they receive is because they are a vegan brand.
Their pastries are great, but for me I am far less bothered about supporting them going forwards. If near Liverpool St I will head to Dauns instead.
What is going on at the moment – that is three places which have taken a big step backwards – Holy Carrot (I no longer go to even the Notting Hill branch), Floozies (this was an easy swap to the After School Cookie Club), and now Okja… Really hoping they reverse this crazy decision.
It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. I can’t see how this works out as a positive for them overall financially