Going green has never been more delicious, and matcha mania is at its best right now, with many patissiers, ice-cream makers and dessert mavens offering their best in the flavour. Finely-milled green tea powder is well-loved for its mild bitterness, and the fact that it is packed with antioxidants is a huge plus in our books. Check out the health benefits of green tea here!
From decadent desserts to dessert-like drinks, we round up our favourite matcha indulgences around the island and where to get them:
WATCH THIS VIDEO TOO
4 Interesting Ways To Serve Asian Drinks
READ MORE:
8 Must-Visit Cafes For The Fluffiest Japanese Souffle Pancakes In Singapore
We’ve Found Out The Optimum Amount of Green Tea For Weight Loss
Guilt-Free Desserts, Kombucha & More 2019 Food Trends You Need To Try
Text: Priyanka C. Agarwal, and Shopback, an online shopping portal that helps you save money, every time you shop online! Earn up to 30% Cashback whenever you purchase items from over 500 brands.
For premium matcha desserts that will satisfy even the toughest food critics, you have to check out this newly-opened matcha dessert shop at Suntec City. Hailing from Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan, it’s 108 Matcha Saro’s first outlet in South East Asia, offering a whole range of authentic treats made with high-quality Uji matcha powder from Kyoto.
A must-try? Their incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth Warabi Mochi, which is freshly handmade every single day and coated generously with matcha powder (there’s also a soybean powder variant!). Choose from eight pieces ($4.90) or a more decadent 24 pieces ($12.90) — honestly, they were so good we wanted to finish it all at one go! Drop by to watch it being made live in-store too.
At #B1-K5 Suntec City Mall, 5 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038985, tel: 6259 4704. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Japanese import Hattendo’s best-selling item is a cross between bread and a cream puff. Pillowy soft bread contains a flavoured cream filling that is delicate and light, and bursts out with each bite. The matcha flavour complements the cream’s light and airy texture, and is delicate rather than overly sweet. We can easily eat three to four of these simple, straightforward treats in one sitting. Priced at $2.50 each.
At #01-05 Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, Singapore 078884. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
The most decadent cheesecake in town just got better with the addition of pure Kyoto Uji matcha powder. In this confection, layers of matcha-flavoured mascarpone and cream cheese are paired with Hokkaido milk mousse, Hokkaido fresh cream and a crepe layer. It all results in a delicious, rich and bittersweet piece of cheesecake heaven. Costs $33 for a 12cm whole cake, or have it as part of a sundae for $10.
Available at multiple locations, including #B1-73 Raffles City, #B1-37 Paragon Orchard and B2-265 Jewel Changi (Cow Cow Kitchen Flagship). Visit their website for more information.
This French patisserie on Tras Street has the prettiest cakes on display and Le ‘Omm’ stands out, thanks to its gorgeous green shades. Be warned — this is no dainty cake. It’s made of matcha mousse sponge layers, filled with matcha-flavoured mascarpone cheese and azuki bean paste, and flavoured with dark rum. Full-bodied and unapologetically matcha, this one costs $9 per slice.
At 53 Tras Street, Singapore 078992, tel: 6920 2922. Visit their website for more information.
Janice Wong is a magician when it comes to desserts and her matcha creations are not to be missed. Her matcha mochi (available at Paragon and Raffles City retail outlets for $3) are soft and cloud-like, and are filled with matcha cream.
Head to Wong’s sit-down restaurants to try the Tsujirihei Green Tea Tart ($20). Made with the finest matcha sourced from Kyoto, and served with lemongrass and jasmine rice sherbet on the side, this offering is art on a plate. The kicker lies in the matcha-laced liquid custard that flows out of the tart when you cut into it.
Visit their website for more information.
READ MORE: 8 Asian Desserts And Drinks To Help You Cool Down In This Hot Weather
If you love fluffly souffle pancakes, then you have to visit this Japanese cafe for a delightful teatime treat. The pancakes here are made of seven types of grains from Kyushu: Wheat, sprouted brown rice, millet, pressed barley, purple rice, non-glutinous and red glutinous rice. The result? A ridiculously fluffy texture and nutty taste that’s made even better with the addition of matcha.
Try the Matcha Tiramisu, where the pancakes are served with mascarpone cheese, vanilla ice-cream, an intense matcha sauce and a dusting of brown sugar. Or, go for the Matcha Mont Blanc, where the pancakes are topped with hazelnut matcha mousse and sauce, with a side of vanilla ice-cream. Prices start at $16.
At #01-08 Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road, Singapore 307645, tel: 6352 6265. Visit their website for more information.
Known for constantly pushing the envelope with their clever creations, we’re sad that this dessert cafe is closing on October 20 this year. But there’s still some time left to try their innovative dishes if you haven’t! Their matcha dessert ($13.90) is a bright green, matcha-flavoured cake with a molten core that sits on an almond nougatine disc.
It’s all balanced precariously over a cup which contains a scoop of roasted green tea gelato, edible flowers and chocolate soil. Slice into the cake, and the green “lava” flows into the cup below, drenching its contents. It’s a fun dessert as delicious as it is photogenic.
READ MORE: We Bet You Didn’t Know These Artisanal Foods Were Lovingly #MadeInSG
At 204 Rangoon Road, Hong Building, Singapore 218451, tel: 9878 6543. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
If it’s pure matcha flavour you love, Ronin’s Matcha Tone ($6) is the drink for you. Matcha paste and steamed milk are served in a glass cup. Mix it all up, sip it, or use a spoon to scrape at it any way you please. So good!
At 17 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059660. Visit their website for more information.
READ MORE: 10 Great Coffee Places In Singapore For Your Caffeine Fix
A caffeine kick and gives a boost to this cup. The Parisian-themed cafe and tea room’s Camouflage Matcha Latte is a cross between a matcha drink and a ristretto (a short shot of espresso). Strong, with the much-loved matcha flavour, this is exactly the wake-up call you need every morning. Priced at $7.50 per cup.
At 30 Penhas Road, Singapore 208188; and 9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596. Visit their website for more information.
While most Korean dessert bars serve a matcha-flavoured bingsu, we are partial to O’ma Spoon’s version of the Korean shaved ice dessert. It’s a snowflake bingsu, which means the ice here is creamier than others. The green tea powder is 100 per cent organic and imported from Hadong in Korea, and is paired with red beans, almonds and peanuts. The whole confection is topped with drizzled milk and a scoop of matcha ice-cream. Good enough to share, but why would you? Priced at $13.90 (regular) or $5.80 for the petite size.
At #04-20 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895, tel: 6333 0995. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
READ MORE: 15 Top Korean Restaurants In Singapore All K-Foodies Will Love
The Messy Bun dessert trend that’s taken Singapore by storm literally leaves an impression on your face and fingers. Messy Buns are confections that have fillings and toppings which are, well, meant to be messy. The Green Tea Messy Sun ($2.50) has a smooth green tea cream filling and is coated with white chocolate ganache, and generously dusted with green tea icing sugar. You’ll be happily licking leftovers off your fingers and lips. Limited quantities served daily, so be fast if you want to try them!
Visit their website for the full outlet listing.
A cake made up of 20 paper-thin, delicate crepes with pastry cream in between. What could be better? Well, one where matcha has accented every layer and been dusted on the top! The vibrant green hue and beautifully symmetrical layered cake make this a showstopper. $9 for a slice, $96.30 for a whole cake.
At multiple outlets, including Orchard Central, Jewel Changi Airport and Westgate. Visit their website for more information.
There are matcha creations to suit every taste on Tsujiri’s varied menu, but we are partial to their parfaits. These are matcha soft-serve sundaes with layers of red bean, brown rice flakes, chiffon cake, mochi (glutinous rice balls) and more. The ice-cream flavour here has a more pronounced sweetness instead of having a strong bitter taste particular to matcha — a good way to introduce the flavour to matcha newbies. Prices start at $5.
At two locations: #01-74 Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen St, Singapore 059817; and The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, Singapore 238843. Visit their website for more information.
You know that these guys take their matcha seriously because they take pains to import the finest green tea powder from Japan. The ingredients are certified organic, and are free of preservatives. As a result, the matcha flavour is potent and the ice-cream’s texture is velvety and rich.
Matchaya also brings in seasonal matcha varieties, like a special blend from Uji Prefecture, made from the Saemidori and Yabukita green tea varieties. That results in an intense Koicha soft-serve where the matcha flavours are more pronounced, less bitter and give more umami. Any matcha soft serve at Matchaya can be enjoyed with additional shots of matcha drizzled over your soft-serve. Prices start at $5.90 per serve.
At #01-08/09 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd, Singapore 229233, tel: 9837 3187. Visit their website for more information.
With more than 460 stores in Japan, Châteraisé’s popularity is plain to see. It serves up a mean cream puff that comes with a generous serving of matcha cream filling. It is best eaten when partially frozen so you get to enjoy the bite of the cream. Other popular matcha products that Châteraisé retails include its Uji Matcha Fluffy Cream Roll and Daifuku Mochi.
Visit their Facebook page for the full outlet listing.
Even though One Man Coffee is a coffee branch, it brews a mean matcha latte that is the perfect solution for any cravings. You can taste the milk in the latte yet, at the same time, it does not overpower the matcha flavour. Those with a penchant for matcha and lattes, this is your fix. If you’re planning to get some work done while sipping on this aromatic matcha latte, head to its quieter outlet in Cheong Chin Nam Road.
At two locations: 215R Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349; and #01-15 Kinesis, 4 Fusionopolis Way, Singapore 138635. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Another matcha eatery to look out for is Maccha House, which just opened their third outlet at the new Paya Lebar Quarter mall. Apart from matcha products like its signature matcha parfait and traditional matcha, it also offers many other Japanese options like bento and ramen.
At three locations: Orchard Central, Suntec City Mall and PLQ Mall. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Joining the matcha party in town is Nana’s Green Tea, which touts. Its extensive menu ensures that whatever you are looking for, they have got you covered. Most of their products come in matcha, houjicha, black sesame, and azuki flavours. Indulge in a range of traditional and contemporary offerings to suit your fancy, whether you want a Matcha Top Grade Espresso Shot ($7.50) hand-whisked the traditional way or a Sparkling Matcha ($7.50) featuring sweetened matcha made with sparkling water.
At two locations: #03-80/82 The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura 60B, Singapore 238891; and #01-38/39 Duo Galleria, 7 Fraser Street, Singapore 189356. Visit this website for more information.
READ MORE:
Where To Shop For Authentic Japanese Groceries in Singapore
Your Guide To The Best Cheesecakes In Singapore
You Should Definitely Be Eating More Of These 8 Antioxidant-Rich Foods
This post was first published on April 19, 2017, and updated on September 9, 2019.
