Matcha, a finely ground green tea, is more than just a drink in Japan—it’s a storied aspect of the country’s rich culture. Its velvety, complex flavor has won over enthusiasts around the globe.
If you’re in Tokyo and craving an authentic matcha experience, look no further than “KYOTO SARYO SUISEN Shibuya PARCO” (hereunder referred to as “KYOTO SARYO SUISEN”). Situated in the busy Shibuya district, this café draws daily crowds eager to indulge in a variety of authentic Japanese sweets made with premium matcha. The matcha is sourced directly from Uji, a renowned tea-growing region in Kyoto, delivering a flavor that is as authentic as it gets.
Delight in the ultimate Mont Blanc experience at KYOTO SARYO SUISEN, a café rooted in Kyoto tradition
What sets this café apart is its signature “Freshly Strong Matcha Mont Blanc” (“freshly piped strong matcha Mont Blanc” in Japanese), topped with a heavenly spiral of strong matcha-infused chestnut purée. One taste and you’ll understand why this dish is the talk of the town.
“生しぼりお濃い抹茶モンブラン,” Freshly Strong Matcha Mont Blanc 1,700 JPY (tax included)
A full-bodied strong matcha Mont Blanc cream generously tops a three-layered base of meringue, whipped cream, and sponge cake. The base’s texture and flavor are at their peak immediately after assembly, so to capture this fleeting moment, the cream is piped right before your eyes for immediate enjoyment.
Piping Mont Blanc cream before your eyes
After the strong matcha Mont Blanc cream is piped, luxurious chestnuts—candied with their shibukawa (inner skin) intact for a unique texture and flavor—are shaved like truffles for the finishing touch. The beauty of the Mont Blanc created before your very gaze is breathtaking, and it’s not uncommon for people to capture the entire process on camera.
Aiming to offer the ultimate culinary experience, KYOTO SARYO SUISEN meticulously crafts each Mont Blanc so patrons can savor it at its peak flavor. The strong matcha Mont Blanc cream is exquisitely soft, dissolving in an instant to leave a delightful sensation on the palate.
What makes KYOTO SARYO SUISEN’s “Suisen Parfait Strong Matcha” so irresistible?
When it comes to classic sweets, parfaits are a very attractive choice for those with a sweet tooth. Not to disappoint matcha sweets afficionados, KYOTO SARYO SUISEN offers its scrumptious signature parfait making generous use of matcha called “Suisen Parfait Strong Matcha.”
“翠泉パフェ（お濃い抹茶）,” Suisen Parfait Strong Matcha 1,460 JPY (tax included)
This luxurious parfait features shiratama (small, chewy rice flour balls), warabimochi (a stretchy dessert made from bracken starch), sakurōru (matcha-flavored rolled cookies), matcha friand cookies and matcha Mikasa, a delightful cookie based on dorayaki (a pancake-like confection filled with red bean paste.)
The parfait is generously topped with strong matcha soft-serve ice cream. This creates a flavor profile in which the richness of the milk harmonizes perfectly with the matcha’s refreshing quality.
This chock-full-of-matcha parfait is highly recommended for those who want to fully indulge in the matcha experience!
KYOTO SARYO SUISEN’s signature warabimochi: a delightfully stretchy dessert
Among the cafe’s numerous sweet offerings, the “Freshly Made Hot Warabi-mochi with Strong Matcha” enjoys immense popularity. Since it’s made to order, you can enjoy it piping hot.
“出来立て温わらび餅 お濃い抹茶,” Freshly Made Hot Warabi-mochi with Strong Matcha 1,480 JPY (tax included)
This warabimochi, made with rich Uji matcha and Wasanbon sugar—a fine-grained traditional Japanese sugar—is characterized by its stretchy, gooey texture. Once in your mouth, its slow-melting quality never fails to captivate, leaving a trail of enchanted fans.
The dessert is elevated by kuromitsu black syrup, meticulously made from Okinawa-produced black sugar, which pairs exceptionally well with matcha. In addition, it features a unique type of kinako (roasted soybean flour) that’s made from Tanba Black beans, known to be very aromatic when roasted. These exceptional elements are likely among the reasons this dessert enjoys such widespread popularity.
Make your own premium Sento Mukashi Uji matcha: a hands-on Japanese culinary culture experience
Besides its extensive range of matcha sweets, KYOTO SARYO SUISEN also offers delicious matcha beverages. The matcha on offer is a Sento Mukashi, a premium matcha produced within Kyoto Prefecture, carefully ground with a stone mill and using only refined tencha (a type of green tea leaf specifically grown to make matcha). It has an exquisite balance of sweetness and bitterness, offering a refined flavor experience.
For those opting for the “Sento Mukashi Kyoto Uji Matcha with Matcha Mikasa,” a unique opportunity awaits: the chance to whisk your own matcha. This hands-on experience is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture. Don’t miss the chance to try it when visiting KYOTO SARYO SUISEN!
“京都宇治お抹茶 泉東の昔 もちもちお抹茶三笠つき,” Sento Mukashi Kyoto Uji Matcha with Matcha Mikasa 920 JPY (tax included)
Whisking matcha is incredibly simple! First, add a small amount of hot water to a tea cup containing matcha powder. Stir thoroughly to ensure the matcha dissolves well.
Next, add the remaining hot water and stir well up and down until you achieve a smooth, frothy texture. The key is to mix quickly. Once bubbles appear on the surface, your matcha is ready to enjoy. This bubbling is a key part of the traditional matcha preparation process, signaling that the tea is perfectly whisked.
Savor it along with a matcha Mikasa, and you’ll truly experience the essence of traditional Japanese culinary culture.
At KYOTO SARYO SUISEN, you can also take out drinks and soft-serve ice cream. In addition, they sell tea leaves like matcha, sencha (a type of green tea), and hōjicha (roasted green tea), as well as matcha-flavored langue de chat cookies. They make lovely gifts for friends and family if you’re visiting the store!
Information
| Store name | 京都 茶寮翠泉 渋谷パルコ店 KYOTO SARYO SUISEN Shibuya PARCO |
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| Address | Shibuya PARCO B1F, 15-1 Udagawa-chō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）7-minute walk from Shibuya Station A8 Exit
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| Phone number | 03-6712-7730 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:30-22:00（last order 21:15） |
| Closed | No holidays excluding Shibuya PARCO holidays |
| Seating | 24 seats 4 counter seats, 20 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://saryo-suisen.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
