Hello Arigato has become one of those top-of-mind cafes at Joo Chiat, and it is not difficult to understand why. We fell in love with the cosy small space even though there was nothing much to speak about, rest for a feature shelf with a display of Japanese and minimalistic knickknacks.

Hello Arigato is a lifestyle cafe with a Japanese-inspired menu, and it first gained popularity with its first outlet at Upper Thomson. We prefer the one at Joo Chiat, because Joo Chiat.

Step into Hello Arigato Joo Chiat and be greeted by a minimalistic white space. The cafe isn’t big – probably 30-seater – and you can see from front to end. Whilst it can get a tad cramped, it is still a cosy space for a meal and a drink.

You must try their Japanese-inspired sandos (sandwich, in case you didn’t get it). That was what got people’s attention when Hello Arigato first opened; people flocked to the first outlet at Upper Thomson for sandos.

There are quite a few variations, with the Gyu Sando (S$26) being their house specialty. While we thought it was very reasonably-priced for the generous portion, the wagyu didn’t hit the spot for us.

The Spam & Egg Sando (S$18), on the other hand, may sound simple but was way better. A thick slab of luncheon meat, lots of scrambled egg and American cheddar are enveloped in Japanese brioche, complete with spiced tomato jam. Gratifying with every bite, we’d say.

For all the sandos, you have the option of topping up with a side of curly fries at S$5, but we would say skip this and go for the a la carte Hello Twister Fries (S$13). A full portion of everyone’s favourite sinful fries is generously coated with a housemade Japanese curry and cheese sauce and topped with scallions – so damn shiok.

There is a Pasta and Brunch menu too, and while it is interesting to see they used Udon to whip up Japanese-styled pastas, we weren’t fans of it.

Oh, but we really loved the Iced Dirty Matcha (S$8) on the drinks menu and it is our must-order every time we dine at Hello Arigato. They also bake their own cookies which we have yet to try, but we will, soon!

Hello Arigato
227 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 8772 3778

314 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427565
Tel: +65 8889 5657

Boyutei is a new all-day dining Japanese Café at Ann Siang Hill by One-Michelin Starred Whitegrass and Hvala.

It has officially opened to the public on 1 June 2022.

Boyutei’s food menu is conceptualised by Whitegrass Head Chef Takuya Yamashita and they will be offering an array of salads, soups, Japanese sandos, rice, noodles and crepes (both sweet and savoury), while Hvala will be in charge of the dessert and beverage items.

Some of the dishes that you can look forward to include Cha Soba, Ebi Katsu Sando, Japanese Dry Beef Curry as well as crepes with Seafood Mentaiko and Okonomiyaki flavours.

Fans of Hvala’s matcha desserts and drinks will love their creations here.

With matcha farmed from Hvala’s exclusive partner tea garden in Kyoto, the Matcha Goma Garden comes with handmade matcha warabi mochi and matcha ice cream alongside a goma chocolate cookie.

There will also be an expansive tea selection at Boyutei which is brought in from Hvala’s exclusive partner farm.

Photos credit: Boyutei

Boyutei
28 Ann Siang Rd, #01-02
Singapore 069708

If there’s one food fad that will never run out of style, it’s got to be Matcha. There’s just something about that bright green colour and earthy rich flavour that keeps everyone coming back for more each time. It’s definitely one of our favourite drinks of all time, too!

Here’s a curated list of some must-try matcha drinks in Singapore – meant for hardcore matcha fans and even the newest addition to the matcha-lovers’ family. Whether it’s to warm you up on a chilly, rainy afternoon or to refresh you in Singapore’s heat, this list for matcha drinks has got you covered.

108 MATCHA SARO

One of the more affordable matcha drinks at S$4.90, 108 Matcha Saro whips up a decent matcha latte. As one of Hokkaido’s most popular matcha cafes, you just know that their matcha will be good quality. Their latte is made from ceremonial-grade matcha powder, giving it a vegetal, floral flavour with a lingering smoky aftertaste.

108 Matcha Saro
5 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City, #B1-K5
Singapore 038985
Tel: +65 6259 4704

% ARABICA

One of the most popular cafes in Singapore right now, % Arabica and their matcha latte hail from Kyoto, Japan.

If you prefer your matcha lattes on the subtle side with a heavier dose of creamy milk, you’ll find % Arabica’s matcha latte to be your cup of tea. The matcha here is more floral, earthy and creamy – a result of the harmonious blend of milk and their high-quality matcha.

% Arabica Singapore
56 Arab Street
Singapore 199753

COLUMBUS COFFEE CO.

Sister cafe to the ever-popular Atlas Coffeehouse is Columbus Coffee. In addition to their delectable cold brew coffees, they also have their Matcha Warrior cold brew matcha latte! It’s a refreshing take on matcha lattes, making it more concentrated and bursting with floral and umami notes from the matcha. Yet, it is still super creamy!

Columbus Coffee Co.
220 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574352
Tel: +65 6253 6024

GATHER THE MISFITS

A relatively new cafe taking over the defunct CPlus+, this hipster joint also serves a pretty decent cup of matcha. Their matcha latte is hand-whisked and no sugar is added, so you can really taste the true flavour of the green tea. It had a smooth finish while still maintaining the characteristic bitterness of good-quality matcha.

Gather The Misfits
217 Rangoon Road
Singapore 218457
Tel: +65 9298 7291

GLYPH SUPPLY CO.

Glyph Supply Co. is a minimalist’s dream, decked in white walls and simple decor, serving up some delicious coffee and pastries. They also make a real mean matcha latte than everyone can enjoy. They hand-whisk ceremonial grade matcha powder in the latte resulting in a smooth matcha flavour with grassy yet floral tasting notes.

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06
Singapore 238164

HVALA

Hvala’s Japanese-style minimalist interior is extremely calming and it provides a perfect backdrop to relax. This matcha cafe specializes in using premium-grade matcha powder in all their food and drinks.

Their Matcha latte is 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 sugar syrup.

Hvala
111 Somerset Road
TripleOne Somerset
Singapore 238164

KURASU

This Japanese coffee shop is tucked away in Odeon Towers, located in the heart of the town. Their minimalistic design, fragrant coffee aroma and soothing ambiance draw in many creatives and individuals who are able to enjoy some alone time or to catch up on work.

They use matcha powder from Morihan, Kyoto. Their Matcha Latte leans towards the sweeter side, so those who are not a fan of the bitter aftertaste in matcha drinks should enjoy this.

Kurasu Singapore
331 North Bridge Road
#02-01, Odeon Towers
Singapore 188720

MACCHA HOUSE

Maccha House serves an array of Japanese-style savoury mains (think udon and rice bowls), but we say skip the mains, and dive right for their amazing desserts and drinks! Their matcha latte is a total must-try! It’s super silky and has a nice floral aftertaste. Mix in the whipped cream on top to make it a tad sweeter and creamier.

Maccha House
181 Orchard Road
#B1-40 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 +65 6636 5830

Photo Credit: Instagram

NARRATIVE COFFEE STAND

A relatively new establishment, taking over the Dancing Goat Coffee’s previous storefront, Narrative Coffee Stand has a pretty, rustic vibe. If you’re looking for a matcha drink without cream or milk, you can opt for their Matcha Lemonade. It’s a refreshing cooler on a hot day – zesty yet spiked with that whisked floral matcha.

Narrative Coffee Stand
231 Bain Street
#01-05, Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 18023

PLATFORM.

Platform. is a rustic floral cafe near Telok Ayer MRT serving a myriad of unique concoctions that come with or without alcohol – whichever you fancy!

Their Iced Matcha Latte will definitely leave you feeling satisfied. The drink was creamier than your typical matcha latte and had a smooth finish while the matcha had a slight floral aftertaste, leaving a pleasant aroma after drinking it.

Platform.
#01-01 Amoy Street
Singapore 069854
Tel: +65 8280 0292

Photo Credit: Instagram

TACHIHARA COFFEE

Brought about by the same people behind popular Japanese bakery, Pullman Bakery, Tachihara Coffee’s drinks and sandwiches are just as well-loved as the bread and bakes there. They also serve a really nice matcha latte. Those who prefer a milkier latte with that kick of matcha umami will love their rendition!

Tachihara Coffee
#01-96 Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039596

TSUJIRI

The true “OG” of all matcha cafes in Singapore, Tsujiri reigns supreme in their matcha concoctions. Their special premium matcha powder is stored in a special tea cabinet that keeps tea fresh for longer – an innovation by the founder himself. Their matcha drinks are by far the smoothest, creamiest and packed with big flavour from the tea. Tsujiri is a must-go if you’re a diehard matcha fan!

Tsujiri has multiple outlets. See the full list here.

THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

If you’re one of the rare few who believe in harmony between coffee and tea, you will love the Dirty Matcha from The Assembly Ground. By mixing espresso and matcha, they create a unique yet perfect blend of the two strong flavours – one is earthy and floral while one is more bitter and acidic. It’s brought together with milk, mellowing out the strong flavours just enough to make it cohesive.

The Assembly Ground
2 Handy Road
#01-21 The Cathay
Singapore 229233

THE MATCHA PROJECT

Tucked in the basement of The Sail—a shopping mall in Marina Bay—The Matcha Project has since made a name among working professionals whose offices are nearby. Feed your tea obsession with matcha, houjicha and genmaicha drinks when you visit The Matcha Project.

The beverage came in just the right temperature for us to sip on immediately without scalding our tongues. While we prefer it au naturel with a slightly bitter aftertaste, you get to choose the amount of sugar to add in should you prefer it to be sweeter.

The Matcha Project
#B1-08C, The Sail
2 Marina Boulevard
Singapore 018987
Tel: +65 9223 0245

Souffle Pancakes – a term for one of the hottest desserts in Singapore right now. These wiggly-jiggly stacks of cloud-like pancakes have taken the country by storm with more and more souffle pancakes appearing on menus in every restaurant!

If you haven’t hopped on the latest trend in Singapore, or have lost track of what’s good in Singapore, check out this list of the fluffiest souffle pancakes in Singapore! These are the places you can grab some fluffy stacks of your own.

19TEA

Originating from South Korea, this popular tea store is known for their creative concoctions and cloud-like stacks of souffle pancakes! Besides being absolutely delicious, their pancakes are super affordable too, all under S$4.50!

They have three flavours of pancakes currently – Original Snow, Matcha and Tiramisu!

19Tea
1 Tampines Walk
#01-82, Our Tampines Hub
Singapore 528523
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

BELLE-VILLE PANCAKE HOUSE

Belle-Ville Pancake House is a popular Millefeuille Pancake cafe that hails all the way from Osaka, Japan. Prices start at S$7.90 for four pieces of plain millefeuille pancakes topped with buttercream. However, be prepared to wait up to half an hour for these pancakes are made upon order!

Belle-Ville Pancake House
Bugis Junction #01-01B
Towers 230 Victoria Street
Singapore 188024

CAFE DE NICOLE’S FLOWER

This whimsical cafe is a floral wonderland with dishes that also uphold their floral fantasy theme! Light, fluffy and sweet, the Original Pancakes are served with maple syrup and sweet cream. It tasted a little eggier than sweet!

Their soufflé pancakes also come with Hokkaido Strawberry Ice Cream or in a Tiramisu-flavoured rendition.

Cafe De Nicole’s Flower
224 Telok Kurau Road, #01-01
Singapore 423836

FLUFF STACK

Fluff Stack wows with their generous portion of fluffy stacks at a more affordable price point! Their pancakes come in fun flavours such as Strawberry Cheese, Oolong Boba and Mango Passionfruit but we loved their Original flavour the best.

The stack of two pancakes was accompanied by honey butter, chantilly cream and maple syrup. We liked how the honey butter added some saltiness that was a good contrast against all the sweet.

Fluff Stack
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-K4 Suntec City
Singapore 038983

GRAM CAFE & PANCAKES

Probably the most iconic of all the stacks, this Japanese powerhouse of a pancake shop was the “OG” store that started this infatuation with souffle pancakes. Thankfully, you don’t need to fly all the way to Japan for these stacks anymore – Gram had graced Singapore’s shores, setting up a store in VivoCity.

Fair warning that there is always a long queue for these highly-coveted pancakes. Go early and grab a queue token!

Gram Cafe & Pancakes
1 Harbourfront Walk
#02-110 VivoCity
Singapore 098585

HOSHINO COFFEE

These Japanese cafes definitely know how to woo us with their delectable desserts – one of their specialities being souffle pancakes.

Hoshino Coffee makes a pretty amazing rendition of a fluffy stack with their special Strawberry Pancake. Fluffy pancakes are topped with fresh strawberries, freshly whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

Hoshino Coffee has several outlets. Check out the full list here.

SWEET.REX

SweeT.Rex started as a hawker stall at Alexandra Village Food Centre and it has opened its first cafe at International Plaza.

The soufflé pancakes were light and fluffy – not anything short of those you get at fancier establishments. They had a slightly eggy taste but the ice cream and the caramel sauce would balance it out.

SweeT.Rex
10, 01-11 Anson Rd, International Plaza, 079903
Tel: +65 8163 7630

TYPHOON CAFE

This pretty cafe serving up all-things-Taiwanese doesn’t just serve Lu Rou Rice and Bubble Tea. They also serve up Milk tea Souffle Stackers – three cloud-like pancakes that are accompanied by a rich milk tea sauce, ice cream, biscuit crumble and boba pearls.

It’s the most indulgent dessert to have, especially if you love Taiwanese milk tea and souffle pancakes. Now you can have the best of both worlds with this dish!

68 Orchard Road
#04-63/67 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839

If there’s one food trend that has never died down, it is Japanese Green Tea – Matcha. In every cafe, you’re 90% likely to see a Matcha Latte or a Matcha-infused dessert somewhere on the menu. However, we would like to introduce you to Matcha’s just-as-delicious but less-talked-about counterpart – Hojicha.

Hojicha is kind of roasted green tea that carries a strong toasty, smoky flavour that is super delicious and earthy. It’s a unique flavour that you won’t forget once you try it! So here’s a list of the best Hojicha desserts in Singapore that will get you hooked onto this underrated flavour.

108 MATCHA SARO – HOJICHA MINI PARFAIT

The Hojicha Mini Parfait is our favourite dessert from 108 Matcha Saro! 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. The toppings paired impeccably with the flavourful soft-serve – especially the mochi balls!

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

Photo Credit: Creme Maison

CREME MAISON BAKERY – HOJICHA HAZELNUT PRALINE

First on our list is from one of the best cake shops in Singapore, Creme Maison Bakery. If you’re a fan of hojicha and really want a nice fluffy cake to sink your teeth into, their Hojicha Hazelnut Praline cake is the perfect dessert.

The earthy hojicha-infused brown sugar sponge is layered with sweet hazelnut praline and topped off with more hazelnuts; a real sweet treat!

Creme Maison Bakery
30 Tai Seng Street #08-03B
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 8181 3689
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

DOPA DOPA CREAMERY – HOJICHA ICE CREAM

Located in the heart of the CBD, Dopa Dopa has made many fall for their silky smooth gelato. It’s hard to miss with their bright yellow interior and decor. One of their best flavours would definitely be their smoky Hojicha. It packs a huge punch of flavour without being grainy or too overpowering.

Dopa Dopa Creamery
29 South Bridge Road, #01-01
Singapore 058665
Tel: +65 6535 3539
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

HVALA – HOJICHA CAKE

Hvala’s Hojicha Cake features a light and airy Hojicha-infused sponge, 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 and the adzuki beans speckled through the layers gave a nice textural contrast to the cake!

This is the cake you can pass the time with, with a book in hand and a matcha latte to sip on.

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

Photo Credit: Instagram

KATASUMI KOOHII – HOJICHA CHIFFON

Hidden in Bukit Pasoh is a Katasumi Koohii, a Japanese-inspired book cafe serving up fresh bakes and cakes. One of which is a cloud-like Hojicha chiffon perfumed with the fragrant roasted tea. It’s also topped with a fluffy hojicha whipped cream to enhance the flavour!

The cafe is so cosy that you can spend hours with just a cake and cuppa, forgetting about the world for just a moment.

Katasumi Koohii
25 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089839
Mon, Wed to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

MIAM MIAM – HOJICHA PANCAKE

Miam Miam is known for their delicious fusion-style pasta and mains but not many know that they have just-as-splendid desserts on their menu as well! One of their desserts happen to be a Hojicha Pancake, consisting of a fluffy pancake, Hojicha whipped cream, azuki beans, mochi and brown sugar syrup.

The fluffy pancake absorbs the thick syrup, making it ultra decadent. Paired with the hojicha cream, red beans and chewy mochi, it’s a great Japanese fusion dessert that you’ll definitely enjoy.

200 Victoria Street
#02-14 Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

3 Gateway Drive
#01-21/22 Westgate
Singapore 608532
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

NANA’S GREEN TEA – HOJICHA PARFAIT

What’s better than a scoop of hojicha ice cream? A scoop of hojicha ice cream with mochi balls, tea jelly, whipped cream, hojicha paste and cereal crumble! That’s everything in Nana Green Tea’s Hojicha Parfait. It’s intricately layered to give you maximum satisfaction so if you’re a big hojicha lover, you absolutely have to put it on your list of “must-eats”!

The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura
60B Orchard Road
#03-80/82
Singapore 238891
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

SUGAR THIEVES – HOJICHA CROISSANT

With their ever-changing croissant line-up, Sugar Thieves keeps their fans constantly on edge for their new releases. One of our favourites has to be their Hojicha Croissant – a buttery, flaky pastry filled generously with thick, luscious hojicha-infused cream. It’s then dusted with more hojicha powder on top, making it a roasted-tea flavour bomb!

Sugar Thieves
Blk 333, #01-23
Kreta Ayer Rd
Singapore 080333
Tel: +65 9850 4377
Wed to Sat: 12pm – 6pm
(Closed Sun – Tue)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

TSUJIRI – HOJICHA ROLL CAKE

This fluffy, cloud-like cake was packed with so much hojicha flavour, you couldn’t imagine it until you try! Seemingly simple, this roll cake is anything but. The delicious roasted aroma of hojicha is contrasted by the whipped cream and sweet azuki beans it’s served with. Tsujiri is one of Singapore’s “OG”, most well-loved, matcha cafes and when you taste their desserts, you’ll know why.

176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-101
Singapore 238843
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TWENTY GRAMMES – HOJICHA SOFTSERVE ON WAFFLE

Launched for their 2nd anniversary and remaining as a popular menu item, Twenty Gramme’s Hojicha Softserve on Waffle is a must-try Hojicha dessert. The soft serve sits nicely in a cup with bite-sized waffle pieces, and is decorated with beautiful lavender-coloured edible flowers.

We loved the taste of the Hojicha soft-serve and waffle bits. Intense roasted flavours were present but not overpowering; just the way we like it!

Twenty Grammes
753 North Bridge Road
#01-01
Singapore 198721
Tel: +65 6717 1733
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bugis

Fans of CROQUANT CHOU ZAKUZAKU’s luscious cream-filled puffs and desserts now have a reason to rejoice! The famous Japanese brand will be setting up shop in Singapore at ION Orchard on 30th of November 2019!

They will be taking over the current spot of BAKE Cheese Tart which will be exiting the Singapore market by end October 2019..

Here’s a sneak preview of what they will be offering! You can expect their signature Croquant pastry filled with a creamy custard (S$2.80 for 1 pc, S$10.50 for 4 pcs), their ZAKUZAKU Soft Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream (S$6) and their HIYAZAKU which is a crispy puff filled with ice cream (S$3.80).

They will also have some Singapore-exclusive goodies, so keep an eye out for those!

2 Orchard Turn
#B4-33, ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Nearest Station: Orchard