Matcha, the finely powdered green tea used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, has become a popular ingredient in sweets across Japan. In Tokyo, you can find a variety of matcha-infused treats, from creamy desserts to delicate pastries, that highlight the rich, slightly bitter flavor of this iconic tea.
Whether you’re a matcha enthusiast or trying it for the first time, Tokyo’s matcha sweets are a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. In this article, we’ll introduce some of the best places to indulge in matcha desserts around the city!
- Sampling matcha treats in Shinjuku: Ochobohan
- The world’s richest matcha gelato in Shibuya: Nanaya Aoyama Branch
- Renowned tea specialty shop in Shibuya: “Kyo Hayashiya”
- Authentic matcha and a gorgeous parfait: Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē
- Divine matcha sweets in Ueno: yusoshi chano-ma Ueno
- Exquisite matcha pudding: SUZU CAFE-Roppongi-
- Refreshing matcha latte bubble tea: Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri
- Instagrammable matcha tiramisu :Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno
Sampling matcha treats in Shinjuku: Ochobohan
Located right inside Lumine EST Shinjuku, a shopping mall directly connected to Shinjuku Station, “Ochobohan” is the perfect place to start your matcha journey in Tokyo. This restaurant serves up a trio of matcha delights along with a serving of tea that will give you a great sampling of the depth of flavor matcha brings!
Ochobohan’s “3 types Mini Dessert and Uji tea Latte Set” features a cupcake, milk pudding, and Mont Blanc. Each uses matcha sourced “Fujii Chaen,” a tea plantation in the renowned matcha-producing region of Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. This matcha is less bitter than other types and boasts rich umami, making it a great set for those who are just warming up to matcha flavor.
Customers can finish off this matcha-packed trio of treats with their choice of matcha and hōjicha (roasted green tea) as the base tea, and select from milk, soy milk, or hot water to mix it with.
If you’re looking for a great place to sample different matcha sweets in one dish, you can’t go wrong with Ochobohan in Shinjuku.
The world’s richest matcha gelato in Shibuya: Nanaya Aoyama Branch
It’s hard to think of a better combo than matcha and gelato, and “Nanaya Aoyama Branch” in Shibuya delivers that fusion in spades. The shop uses high-grade matcha from Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in their matcha gelato, packing a very rich and deep flavor. What really makes this gelato shop stand out is that you can select your level of matcha richness in your gelato.
Many hardcore matcha fans go straight for the “No.7,” which is touted as “the world’s richest matcha gelato.” It has a very intense but satisfying matcha flavor. Those who prefer things with a little more subtle green tea flavor can pick from a number of other options, though.
If you want to experience the wide range of depth that matcha provides, a trip to Nanaya Aoyama Branch in Shibuya is a great choice.
Renowned tea specialty shop in Shibuya: “Kyo Hayashiya”
“Kyo Hayashiya” is a famous tea specialty shop with a history spanning over 270 years. While they offer a full range of matcha sweets and parfaits, their “Matcha Kuzuneri” is a gorgeous treat that is sure to be a hit on social media.
Kuzuneri is a traditional Japanese sweet made by kneading kuzu starch powder dissolved in water over heat. Kyo Hayashiya’s kuzuneri stands out with an impressive velvety texture. You’ll definitely want to give it a nice prodding with your fork to see it jiggle before you dig into a perfect balance of umami and bitterness.
Authentic matcha and a gorgeous parfait: Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē
Located on the second floor of Tokyo Hibiya Midtown, “Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē” is a tea house known for its high-quality authentic matcha. However, one of the parfaits served there is as aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious! It features a design inspired by traditional Japanese gardens.
The “Old Capital Garden Parfait” is a beautifully layered parfait that uses toppings like crumbles and sweetened black soybeans to resemble stones in a Japanese garden. A mix of matcha ice cream, sudachi (a type of Japanese citrus) sherbet, and mascarpone cream make for a dessert that is incredibly fun to dig into as well as eat.
For a delicious parfait that you’ll definitely want a picture of, be sure to swing by Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē.
Divine matcha sweets in Ueno: yusoshi chano-ma Ueno
Located in the the Ueno Marui department store right next to Ueno Station, “yusoshi chano-ma Ueno” is a tea-room-inspired restaurant where you can enjoy many traditional Japanese sweets in a refined atmosphere.
While they have many great offerings on their menu, their “Matcha and Coconuts Parfait” is a dream come true for matcha lovers. The parfait uses a multitude of uniquely Japanese ingredients such as dango (rice dumplings) flavored with yomogi (Japanese mugwort). The combination of their chewy texture and coconut ice cream drizzled with a slightly bitter matcha sauce is simply irresistible!
It has just the perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, allowing you to truly appreciate the flavor of the matcha used.
For a chance to take in a great traditional atmosphere along with high quality matcha sweets, yusoshi chano-ma Ueno is a must-visit.
Exquisite matcha pudding: SUZU CAFE-Roppongi-
Japanese pudding is a popular sweet in its own right, but “SUZU CAFE-Roppongi-” is a chic cafe where you can enjoy it with the bonus of a rich matcha twist.
The stylish cafe is renowned for their “Green tea pudding,” which uses an ample amount of Uji matcha to deliver a delightfully intense flavor!
Topped with whipped cream and surrounded by a flavorful moat of matcha sauce, the pudding has a firm yet delicate texture that’ll captivate you from the moment you dig your spoon in!
For a Japanese pudding loaded with luxurious matcha flavor, be sure to stop by SUZU CAFE-Roppongi-.
Refreshing matcha latte bubble tea: Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri
For matcha lovers, no trip to Japan would be complete without a refreshing matcha latte. Located just nearby Asakusa’s famous Kaminarimon is “Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri.” This shop serves up a “Brown Sugar Tapioca Matcha Latte” that is perfect for fueling your sightseeing in Asakusa with delicious green tea flavor!
What makes this matcha latte special is that is filled with tapioca pearls cooked in Japanese brown sugar. This adds a layer of sweetness to the latte, so make sure you mix them in well before taking a sip. Plus, it’s available for take-out!
If you’re looking for some refreshing matcha on-the-go, Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri is the place for you!
Instagrammable matcha tiramisu :Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno
The signature dish at “Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno” is their “Uji Matcha Tiramisu.” This delicate dessert harmonizes the sweetness of mascarpone cream and the bitterness of matcha in a match made in heaven.
It’s a layered desert served in a traditional wooden cup. The heavy cream and sugar add a perfect counter-balance of rich sweetness to the intense matcha flavor. Dipping your spoon into its velvety surface is definitely a moment you’ll want to capture on camera. At the bottom is a matcha-flavored sponge cake that tastes even better after soaking up the top layers.
Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno is a must-visit for those looking for a clever fusion matcha dessert!
Matcha is a staple of traditional Japanese sweets, but has evolved in unique ways in modern times. We hope this article will guide you through the many ways to enjoy it in desserts!
