Originally cherished as a beverage, matcha has now found its way into various dishes beyond just drinks.
At “Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno,” located in Ueno, Tokyo, you can experience that matcha evolution by enjoying it in the form of sweets such as tiramisu and soft-serve ice cream.
Melty and creamy “Uji Matcha Tiramisu” served in a traditional wooden Japanese sake cup
The flagship dish at the store at is the “Uji Matcha Tiramisu.” It has gained quite a bit of acclaim for its delicious combination of mascarpone cream’s sweetness and the bitterness of matcha.
“宇治抹茶ティラミス,” Uji Matcha Tiramisu 814 JPY (tax included)
The mascarpone cream is crafted with the addition of heavy cream and sugar, resulting in a taste that combines sweetness with a pleasant acidity. The addition of egg yolk adds a particular richness to the dish.
The Matcha Tiramisu at the shop has a perfect creamy texture. When scooped up with a spoon, you can really get a feel for its smoothness.
The mascarpone cream is sprinkled with matcha powder
At the bottom of the traditional wooden cup is a matcha-flavored sponge cake. It is flavored with matcha from the well-renowned tea brand Morihan in Kyoto.
The matcha sauce oozing from the sponge cake has a subtle bitter flavor. When enjoyed together with the mascarpone cream, it creates a dessert masterpiece that allows you to feel the contrast between sweetness and bitterness.
The sauce also uses Morihan’s revered matcha
A must for matcha fans in Tokyo: “Rich Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream”
The “Rich Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream” is a popular menu item ordered by many throughout the year. While soft serve ice cream is often associated with summer sweets, it remains a popular choice even during the winter months.
“濃厚抹茶ソフトクリーム,” Rich Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream 649 JPY (tax included)
The shop’s matcha soft serve ice cream is also made with plenty of matcha from Morihan, offering a subtly sweet and bitter flavor.
It’s a recommended treat for those who are looking to savor the slight bitterness of matcha while enjoying the aromatic notes that linger through the nose.
As the melted soft serve ice cream soaks into the sponge cake at the bottom of the cone, it transforms into a flavor reminiscent of a matcha cake.
Thanks to its generous size, indulging in the Rich Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream alone should be enough to satisfy your appetite!
Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno also offers an extensive food menu
In addition to sweets, Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno also serves udon. The udon at the shop is prepared in the Kyoto style, which uses a sweet and flavorful broth.
“きつねのおうどん,” Kitsune Udon 1,034 JPY (tax included)
Among the three udon options, the “Kitsune Udon” is particularly popular, featuring plenty of Kujo green onion, a traditional Kyoto vegetable.(Kitsune Udon takes its name from the Japanese word for fox. The udon is topped with aburaage, or sweet, seasoned tofu, which is said to be a favorite of foxes in Japanese folklore.)
The fried tofu topping is simmered in a broth with added sugar, bringing out its sweetness.
The fried tofu, soaked in ample broth, feels surprisingly weighty when lifted with chopsticks.
The more you chew, the broth seeps out, spreading a rich umami flavor over your tastebuds.
The store is a popular spot bustling with people all day
Located just right outside the Ueno Station park exit, Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno is easily accessible. In front of the cafe, you’ll find the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and Ueno Park, making it a great place to stop by during your sightseeing.
Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno’s exterior
With a diverse menu, it’s not uncommon for the cafe to be busy with customers from lunchtime until the evening.
To understand why it’s so popular, considering paying a visit and joining the bustling crowds yourself!
Information
| Store name | やなぎ茶屋 ecute上野 Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno |
|---|---|
| Address | ecute Ueno 2F, 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Ueno Station（UEN） Short walk from Ueno Station Park Gate
Ueno Station（UEN） 6-minute walk from Ueno Station Shinobazu Gate
Keisei Ueno Station 7-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station Main Exit
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| Phone number | 03-5830-1837 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Hours | Mon-Thurs., Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 10:00-20:00（last order 19:30） Fri. & days before nat’l holidays 10:00-21:00（last order 20:30） |
| Closed | No holidays excluding ecute Ueno holidays |
| Seating | 46 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://shop.create-restaurants.co.jp/1206/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of December 2023.
