Previously known as the brand that brought the Instagram-worthy Hong-Kong style egglet waffles to Singapore in 2015, Hvala since has rebranded as an all-matcha lifestyle cafe. They have recently opened their second outlet at TripleOne Somerset, boasting the same chic, zen vibe as their outlet at CHIJMES.

Serving all-things Matcha, think Matcha Lattes, Whisked Matcha, Matcha cakes and Matcha Ice Cream, Hvala is an oasis for true matcha fans in Singapore.

Walking into Hvala at TripleOne Somerset was like walking into a modern Japanese Garden. Its Japanese-style minimalist interior was extremely calming and it provided the perfect backdrop to relax and enjoy the food and drinks.

It would be a great place to spend an afternoon catching up with friends over tea or just having some nice alone-time.

We first had to try the Matcha Latte (S$5.80) and we were not disappointed. The Matcha was freshly whisked and gently poured over milk to create a beautiful gradient. Sipping it down, the bitter taste of the matcha is contrasted by the milk and a little sweetness from the sugar syrup.

The Matcha was wonderfully smooth and flavourful with a floral note to it. It was pretty much one of the best Matcha Lattes we have had in Singapore.

To pair with our Matcha Latte, we ordered a slice of Hvala’s Hojicha Cake (S$7.80). Light and airy Hojicha-infused sponge is layered with fresh cream, adzuki beans and a generous drizzle of thick Hojicha sauce.

We loved how the smoky aroma of Hojicha was amplified by the bitter Hojicha sauce but we felt that the cake did not hold as much Hojicha flavour as we had hoped. We did like the nice contrast in texture that the adzuki beans provided, though!

Overall, we were pretty pleased with our experience at Hvala and we would love to come back again and spend the day here, sipping on a Matcha Latte and perhaps enjoy a book while doing so.

111 Somerset Road
TripleOne Somerset
Singapore 238164
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Matcha-lovers have good reason to rejoice as one of Hokkaido’s most famous matcha cafes has graced Singapore’s sunny shores. 108 Matcha Saro, specialising in matcha (Japanese green tea) and hojicha (roasted green tea) drinks and desserts, has set up shop in Suntec City!

Japanese desserts are all the rage now – whether it’s mochi, soft-serve or fluffy pancakes. Once you see the myriad of tea-flavoured items on 108 Matcha Saro’s menu, you’ll be scratching your heads, torn on what to try first!

Check out what we thought about this brand new matcha cafe in Singapore!

We tried the Matcha Hokkaido Soft Serve (S$4.90) and we enjoyed it very much. The ice cream was creamy and had a distinct matcha flavour, enhanced by the luscious matcha syrup that you can request to add on top of your swirl (it’s free).

The cone was a crunchy wafer cone, similar in texture to the McDonalds’ ice cream cone. Our only gripe was that it did become a little soggy as we ate the soft-serve.

Next up, we tried one of their Hojicha Mini Parfaits (S$6.90). The dessert comes with a swirl of Hojicha soft-serve, a scoop of sweet red bean paste, chewy mochi balls and a generous drizzle of syrup.

This was our favourite item from 108 Matcha Saro as the hojicha flavour was pronounced and had a delightful roasted flavour. The toppings paired impeccably with the soft serve – especially the chewy mochi balls!

Lastly, we had a taste of their Hot Matcha Latte (S$4.90). We thought it was pretty affordable. Taste-wise, we felt it had a distinct matcha taste but also a bit of a smoky note to it.

Overall, we felt that the food and drinks at 108 Matcha Saro were high-quality and we enjoyed the strong taste of tea. However, the service staff leave a lot to be desired as they seemed very distracted and disorganised despite there not being anyone else in the queue; so much so that in spite of there not being a long line, we had to wait a fair bit of time to get our orders.

We think that 108 Matcha Saro has a lot of potential due to the affordable price point of their menu items and their high-quality ingredients, so we hope that their service can match up to the standard of their food.

108 Matcha Saro
5 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City, #B1-K5
Singapore 038985
Tel: +65 6259 4704
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade