Tjing Tjing & Mochi Mochi: Cape Town Icons to Close After 15 Years
Cape Town’s vibrant dining scene is preparing to say goodbye to a landmark establishment. Tjing Tjing, the multi-level, Japanese-inspired restaurant and its sister café, Mochi Mochi, will close their doors on , after fifteen years of operation. The closure, while not born of crisis, marks the end of an era for a restaurant that became synonymous with innovative cocktails, Japanese street food and a uniquely designed space in the heart of the city.
Founded by Ilze Koekemoer in at 165 Longmarket Street, Tjing Tjing quickly established itself as a fixture in Cape Town’s culinary landscape. The restaurant’s layered design, drawing inspiration from Tokyo, and its lively atmosphere cultivated a dedicated following among both locals and tourists. Koekemoer described the decision to close as a natural conclusion to the business’s lifecycle.
“It’s actually been 15 full years of trade this March, so closing Tjing Tjing is definitely emotional,” Koekemoer told News24 Food. “It’s been such a big part of my life, a place where I’ve shared countless meals, conversations and memories, and met the most interesting people.”
The restaurant’s success wasn’t accidental. Tjing Tjing distinguished itself by blending Japanese-inspired street food, craft cocktails, and indie-electronica playlists, creating a distinctive hospitality experience. The space itself, a narrow townhouse with distinct levels – from an intimate ground-floor dining room to a lively rooftop bar – contributed to its cult following. Koekemoer recalled the energy of a fully engaged restaurant: “Watching talented chefs and bartenders doing what they do best, the music playing, the buzz in the room, and seeing guests really enjoying themselves… A restaurant takes on a life of its own when everything is happening at once. It can feel chaotic, but it’s also incredibly exhilarating.”
However, Koekemoer emphasized that the closure isn’t a response to financial difficulties or industry pressures. “There’s nothing dramatic behind the decision,” she said. “After 15 years, it felt like the right moment to end this chapter.” She likened the lifespan of restaurants to cycles, often requiring reinvention to maintain relevance. “Tjing Tjing has always been a passion project and very much a creative outlet for me,” she explained. “Reaching this milestone felt like a natural point to step back.”
The timing of the closure also reflects a significant shift in Cape Town’s dining scene. When Tjing Tjing first opened, the city’s Asian dining options were considerably more limited. Today, the landscape has expanded dramatically, with diners exhibiting a greater curiosity and adventurousness. “There’s something magnetic about Japanese culture, the attention to detail, the aesthetics, the sense of ritual, and those qualities translate beautifully into food and hospitality,” Koekemoer observed. “Today the landscape has expanded enormously. Cape Town diners are far more curious and adventurous than they were 15 years ago.”
Koekemoer’s journey in hospitality began with Dear Me, a café that previously occupied the ground floor of the building. “I’ve always been drawn to creating spaces and experiences,” she said. “Back then, as a customer, it bothered me that most kitchens wouldn’t swap ingredients or adjust dishes for dietary needs, which wasn’t common like it is today. Dear Me grew from a desire to shape something I’m passionate about.”
Tjing Tjing House was then conceived as a multi-faceted, Japanese-inspired experience, encompassing several distinct spaces within a single building. Mochi Mochi, the café, evolved more organically. “Our head chef Adri Morel returned from a trip to Japan determined to recreate her version of the mochi she experienced there,” Koekemoer recounted. “We were serving mochi at Tjing Tjing long before the café existed.” What began as a menu item blossomed into a pop-up, and a dedicated café space.
“Mochi Mochi has always been the sweeter, younger sibling in the family,” Koekemoer said. “It’s playful, colourful, focused and very creative, whereas Tjing Tjing is bigger, busier and a bit more chaotic.” Due to the fact that both businesses share the same kitchen and team, Mochi Mochi will also close alongside the restaurant.
While the closure marks the end of an era, Koekemoer assures patrons that Tjing Tjing and Mochi Mochi won’t be going quietly. The restaurant will continue to operate as usual until . “We’re not going quietly,” Koekemoer said. “For the next six weeks, our house is open exactly as you remember it.” For now, Koekemoer has no immediate plans for a new venture, opting instead to accept time to reflect and consider future possibilities. “We’re taking some time to reflect and think about what might come next,” she said. “Right now the focus is simply on enjoying these final weeks and saying thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.”