Rachel Williams, a fashion and beauty writer for the Daily Record, recently visited Aberdeen's highly anticipated wellness café, Kaizen. Known for its 'slow living' philosophy and social media buzz, she set out to determine if the experience lives up to the hype.
A Minimalist Haven on Union Street
Located discreetly at 500 Union Street, Kaizen lacks external signage, relying on its clean white exterior to draw in curious customers. The interior features smooth concrete grey walls, stainless steel tables, and cushioned window booths, creating a calming atmosphere that aligns with the brand's health-conscious ethos. Additional seating is available around the coffee bar at the back.
Menu Focused on Freshness and Balance
Kaizen's menu emphasizes clean, nutritious options made without preservatives, seed oils, or refined sugars. The 'build your own' salad bowl is a standout, available in small (£7.50) or regular (£9) sizes, with optional protein additions. Rachel opted for a regular bowl with Mediterranean chicken (extra £4), bringing the total to £12. The bowl was generously filled with kale, lettuce, spinach, roast potatoes, red onion, edamame beans, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, garlic chilli broccoli, spiced sweet potatoes, noodles, feta cheese, garlic sesame crunch, and chilli oil drizzle.
The vegetables were crunchy, the chicken tender, and the dressing perfectly balanced. The portion was so filling that she nearly couldn't finish it.
Coffee Without the Guilt
Rachel tried an iced flat white made with dairy milk, noting the absence of syrups or added sugars. The coffee was smooth and creamy, offering a guilt-free caffeine fix. For takeaway, Kaizen offers sealed coffee in branded glass jars and bags of ethically sourced beans.
Overall Verdict
Kaizen's modern design and nutritious menu make it a welcome addition to Aberdeen's culinary scene. Future plans include wellness technologies like cold plunges, infrared saunas, and red light therapy, solidifying its 'one of a kind' status. Despite the cost—over £17 for a salad and coffee—Rachel felt the quality and quantity justified the price. She recommends a visit for those seeking healthy, aesthetically pleasing food. As the flagship location, Kaizen is set to expand to Edinburgh soon.
