Rice to Meet You shares space with two delivery shops in Kingsland Road and brings the East Asian skill of rice baking to the capital.
The one-woman business is run by Bliss and started as a delivery-only bakery in April, with the bricks and mortar cafe opening in late July.
All of the cakes and desserts are made with finely milled rice flour. (Image: Angel Sun) All her dishes are made with flour made from finely milled rice, but being gluten free is not her primary reason for avoiding wheat flour.
She said: “I am not coeliac, but I never eat gluten for my lunch here. This is rice baking so it is gluten free.”
Rather than desserts from her native Korea, she is turning out classic European bakes like Basque cheesecake and banana cake from the tiny kitchen because she fears Londoners might struggle with the texture.
She added: “I try to avoid ‘Asian’ on my brand. Rice is already an Asian ingredient. I want to make a classic menu that British people like and feel comfortable with.”
Developing her recipes took skill and hard work – rice cannot absorb as much water as wheat, so the cakes can be tasty on the first day yet dry the next.
She works hard to “balance” moisture and texture, quality checking her products every day.
The banana cake, which took a month to develop, is even softer and moister than wheat-based versions. It is served slightly toasted, which gives a crispy crust and brings out the authentic sweetness of the banana.
She’s also proud of her matcha cheesecake – the rice flour makes it extra creamy and gooey with the sourness of cheese offset by a gently earthy aftertaste.
For drinks, Bliss recommended the strawberry latte. Caffeine-free, it is made with milk and homemade strawberry paste. The fruitiness balances well with the deep, caramel notes of brown sugar.
Bliss’ next goal is to crack that all-time British classic the Victoria sponge cake.
Rice to Meet You is at 485 Kingsland Rd, London E8 and can be ordered via Deliveroo.
