What is green, comes with plenty of health benefits and has a strong vegetal taste? Matcha, of course! For the uninitiated, matcha is a type of premium Japanese green tea that is mostly harvested in Japan. It is highly sought after in many Japanese restaurants and bakeries that use the powder for beverages, desserts and baked goods.

Matcha is said to be packed with plenty of antioxidants and helps to calm the body and mind. In fact, research shows that matcha powder is actually better than loose tea leaf as it gives you more vitamins and minerals.

Beyond all its health benefits, many of us enjoy matcha simply because it tastes wonderful! Being such matcha addicts, nothing lifts our mood better than a matcha soft serve, matcha latte or matcha soufflé. If you agree with us, here are 7 Matcha Cafes In Singapore You Have To Check Out.

#1 DOLCE TOKYO

A Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant by MOF, there are currently two outlets in Singapore and you can find them at Bugis Junction and 313 Somerset. While they serve up a variety of savoury options such as curry rice and crostini, Dolce Tokyo is more well known for its range of matcha desserts such as Matcha Cakes (S$13.16) and Matcha Parfaits (S$12.80).

200 Victoria Street
#03-10H, Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 6336 4808
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#2 HOSHINO COFFEE

Hoshino Coffee is an extremely popular Japanese establishment that has since expanded to five outlets in the country. We love their pot-baked soufflé (S$10.80), which is available in either matcha or vanilla flavour. Another one of our favourites is the Ice Matcha Latte with Green Tea Flavoured Softee (S$9.30).

68 Orchard Road
#03-84, Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6338 3277
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

#3 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. Their matcha latte (S$4.49) is one of our favourites and one that we always return for.

181 Orchard Road
#B1-40 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 +65 6636 5830
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#4 NANA’S GREEN TEA

Voted the best Japanese cafe once, Nana’s Green Tea does not disappoint. Their Matcha Latte is, without a doubt, one of the better renditions that you can find in Singapore. Although Nana’s also offers savoury mains, we say skip it and dive right for their matcha items—Kanmi Japanese desserts (from S$11.80) and drinks (from S$6.50).

The Atrium @ Orchard
60B, #03-80/82, Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238891
Tel: +65 6684 4312
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Gaut

#5 ST. MARC CAFE

You can get a more-than-decent cup of Matcha Latte at Saint Marc Cafe for only S$5. A perfect combination is to pair this up with their ever-popular ChocoCro. While their matcha latte is not the best on the list, we love the fact that it goes down smoothly and is easy to drink.

252 North Bridge Road
#B1-44M, Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179109
Tel: +65 6338 8043
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#6 THE MATCHA PROJECT

Tucked in the basement of The Sail, 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 there. They also serve delicious Matcha Soft Serve (original – S$5, large – S$6.50) which makes for a perfect sweet treat!

2 Marina Boulevard
#B1-08C, The Sail
Singapore 018987
Tel: +65 9223 0245
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Downtown

#7 TSUJIRI TEA HOUSE

Tsujiri probably has our favourite and the best matcha soft serve (S$4.80) in town. The intense matcha flavours and consistency of the soft serve always remind us of the decadent cones we’ve had in Japan. You can also top up S$1 for toppings such as Shiratama, Genmai and more.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-53 313 Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Read: 7 Matcha Lattes in Singapore that will bring you back to Japan.

A cafe specialising in French bakes and Instagram-worthy desserts, Les Pâtisseries is not new to the cafe industry. Having relocated from Toa Payoh, the cafe has since joined the long list of F&B establishments along Upper Thomson Road.

Their desserts, breakfast dishes and All-Day mains are priced below S$20, making it a hit with the younger crowd who would hang around for Sunday brunch or afternoon tea session with their friends. 

Featuring clean lines and a minimalistic interior, Les Pâtisseries is spacious to boot which makes it comfortable for guests to walk around. We love the addition of a sparkling marble countertop and vintage, industrial metal cage pendant lights.

The Thai Milk Earl Grey Waffle (S$15.90) comes with crispy earl grey waffle, two scoops of rich Thai Milk Tea ice cream, almond slices and a macaron.

We thoroughly enjoyed the waffle but recommend sharing it among friends as the rich flavours can get heavy on the palatte.

Other waffle choices you can get there include Chocolate Indulgence (S$15.90), Waffle Banoffee (S$14.50) and Summer Berries & Maple Waffle (S$13.50). Diners can create their own waffles with various waffle and ice cream flavours as well.

Something else you may want to keep a lookout for is the Matcha Tart (S$4.50). This is a seasonal special which was available when we visited the cafe. We love the distinct layers of matcha, chocolate and wafer which came with great textures and taste.

Les Pâtisseries
222 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574354
+65 9744 0504
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12 Midnight
Fri: 11am – 2am
Sat: 9am – 2am
Sun: 9am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Marymount

20F Specialty Coffeehouse is a cafe that sits in the Jalan Besar neighbourhood, and is especially cosy with 4 separate sitting areas.

The cafe gets pretty quiet after meal times, so that is the best time to visit if you want to snap some great photos quietly or to read a book in peace with a cuppa. We dived right for the most unique (and popular option) here – Duck & Waffle (S$22), part of their all-day brunch menu.

The duck confit is served alongside fluffy buttermilk waffles, strawberry compote and mixed berries sorbet. It might seem odd to some that sweet and savoury are mixed together, and you will either love it or despise it.

The duck confit itself was very tasty with fork-tender meat on the inside. However, the skin was not crisp at all and the duck was overly oily. We really enjoyed the buttermilk waffles though, as they were fluffy and has a sweet aftertaste.

As for the accompanying strawberry compote, well it was a letdown as it was extremely watered down.

That said, we have also seen many singing praises of the dish, and about how they really liked the contrast of flavours. Each to its own; or maybe, we went on a bad day when the compote wasn’t well prepared.

Thankfully, our slice of Nutella Layered Cake (S$5.50) made up for everything else. The cake was fluffy and the Nutella buttercream was well-balanced without being grossly sweet.

The next time we head back to 20F Specialty Coffeehouse, we hope we would have luck with the popular Matcha Cake! It is perpetually sold out, so do call before you head down to avoid disappointment.

20F Specialty Coffeehouse
20 Foch Road
Singapore 209261
Tel: +65 6291 4940
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

You see incredible matcha cakes and pastries everywhere you go, but have you thought of making your own matcha treats at home?

Preparing matcha treats at home can be easy peasy. Well, we are not talking about crazy matcha soufflés or decadent matcha truffles, but what about cookies and no-bake cheesecakes? Prep time for these recipes are all approximately 5 minutes, and they really aren’t rocket science.

Go to your nearest grocer and grab a good packet of Japanese matcha powder and we can begin. Here are 5 Simple Matcha Recipes You Should Try At Home.

MATCHA PANCAKES

1 serving = 4 slices of pancakes

What you need:
1/2 Cup Pancake Mix
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Full Egg
1 tsp Matcha Powder (any)
Butter (to grease pan)
Honey or Maple Syrup

1. Mix the pancake mix, milk, matcha powder and egg together in a large mixing bowl.
2. Slightly grease a non-stick pan and place it over medium heat.
3. Wait for the pan to heat up, then place about 1 1/2 tablespoons (or use your best judgement based on your pan size) of the batter and cook for about 1.5 minutes on each side or until each side turns to a nice golden brown.

For those who are after a richer taste, you can increase the number of teaspoons of matcha powder.

Drizzle syrup of your choice, and complete your pancakes with your favourite fruits.

For a savoury option, top your pancakes with a simple fried egg or bacon to complete.

TOASTER OVEN MATCHA COOKIES

1 serving = 6-7 pieces

What you need:
2 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Sugar
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Egg Yolk
2 tsp Matcha Powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour

1. Melt butter slightly in the microwave oven, then mix the sugar, salt and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
2. Add in the yolk, matcha powder, baking soda and flour. Mix evenly.
3. Portion the cookie dough and place them on a baking tray (laid with baking sheet) with ample space apart from each other.
4. Place the whole tray in a toaster oven and bake for about 7-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn brown.
5. Let the cookies cool before serving.

#MATCHA CREAM CHEESE DIP

What you need:
1/2 cup Cream Cheese
2 tbsp Milk
2 tsp Matcha Powder (or as much as you want)

1. Mix all the ingredients together (yes, it is that easy)
2. Serve with pretzel sticks or graham crackers.

ICED MATCHA DRINK

This is probably the easiest of the lot and you can switch it up any ways you want.

What you need:
Matcha Powder or Sweet Matcha Powder
Milk or Vanilla Ice Cream
Ice

1. Boil water and mix half cup of it with your preferred matcha powder.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass and fill the glass with ice.
3. Either mix in some milk or serve with a dollop of ice cream on top.

NO-BAKE MATCHA CHEESECAKE

1 serving = 3 cakes

What you need:
12 Oreo Cookies
5 tbsp Unsalted butter
2 tbsp Sugar
200g Cream Cheese
1 1/4 cup Condensed Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Matcha Powder

1. Crush Oreos in a ziploc bag and pour it into a mixing bowl. Mix Oreos with butter.
2. Press the crust down into 3 individual bowls or a large pan and chill for about 15 minutes.
3. Beat cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth, then add in the condensed milk, a little at a time.
4. Add in vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
5. After your crust is done chilling, pour the filling into the crust. Wrap bowls or your pan with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours (best results: overnight) before serving.

You can sprinkle more matcha powder atop your cake before serving. Some berries might go too.

Matcha might be a passing trend to some but die-hard enthusiasts of Matcha will prove you wrong, especially when specialised Matcha cafes such as Maccha House are still garnering a steady crowd on a daily basis.

Besides bursting with health benefits, Matcha also tastes unbelievably good and acts as a flavour enhancement to both sweet and savoury dishes. 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.

Matcha drinks are also really popular here and we can see why. Their matcha latte is one of our favourites and one that we always return for.

The Matcha Tiramisu (S$6) was served in a wooden box and comes with a miniature cup of tea on the side. One thing to note about the price point here is that everything is relatively inexpensive. We liked that the tiramisu was not too sweet but the taste of Matcha was still distinct.

Another dessert worth mentioning is the Matcha Chocolate Parfait (S$10), which is good to share for two. The star of the show was the rich and thick Matcha ice cream that had an intense taste of the fabulous Japanese green tea powder. The azuki and cornflakes added a textural diversity and complemented the concentrated Matcha flavours really well.

We would definitely return back to Maccha House for their sweet treats, or to stop by just to get some matcha ice cream on cone. Or maybe just a simple cup of their Matcha latte.

Maccha House
181 Orchard Road
#B1-40 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 +65 6636 5830
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

Quite essentially a modern tea house that serves pretty matcha desserts, Sinmei Tea might just be the it place to be now when you need some matcha fix in Hong Kong. It took us a while to locate the place, because it sits on the fifth level, within an unassuming building in Sheung Wan.

What welcomed us was a long queue of matcha lovers, and an atmospheric cafe with an interior that models after a traditional teahouse.

Dining at Sinmei Tea will require a bit of patience, as there is always a queue to get in, and an even longer wait for your desserts to be served. For some unbeknownst reason, we waited twenty minutes for our drink to be served; the cakes came much later.

But if you can look beyond that, the Matcha Cheese Cake (HK$40) and the Sizzling Matcha Brownie (HK$78) make great treats. The former is a slice of simple goodness that is topped with a sweet meringue, while the latter is a decadent treat that can be quite a show to watch as you drizzle the matcha over the brownie on the pan.

What impressed us the most is its Hot Matcha Latte (HK$38). It does not look anywhere near fancy, but what you get is a cup of authentic goodness that is powdery, smooth and leaves a fragrant roasted tea aftertaste. Other desserts include Matcha Angel Cake (HK$40), and Earl Grey Angle Cake (HK$40).

Sinmei Tea is also listed in our guide to the best matcha desserts in Hong Kong.

Sinmei Tea
5/F, CS Tower, 50 Wing Lok Street
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3690 8238
Daily: 11.30am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Sheung Wan

So it seems that the matcha trend is invading Hong Kong, and there are a few matcha desserts in Hong Kong that all matcha lovers must try. Whether you prefer your green tea fix in the form of cakes or soft serve, we’ve got you covered.

While there are countless dessert places in Hong Kong, and while Hong Kong is known for their Chinese-style desserts such as tong sui (sweet soup), there is no denying that matcha desserts deserve a special spot in our hearts.

Slowly but surely, the matcha craze will grow in Hong Kong. But first, here are 6 Matcha Desserts in Hong Kong All Matcha Lovers Must Try.

#1 I CREAMERIA

There are a few I Creameria outlets around Hong Kong, but they are mostly takeaways. There is no dine-in area, so pick up your dessert and go. The basic matcha soft serve is HK$38 (either in a cone or a cup), but the desserts here are significantly pricier, and while we are hesitant about heading back soon for their soft serve cups, it is still worth a try if you haven’t already.

The soft serve is creamy, yet does not leave you with a bitter aftertaste. We tried the exclusive Sawatari Tea-daifuku Parfait (HK$53) and loved how it was presented with mochi and azuki. If you are feeling indulgent, go for the Japanese Premium Melon Deluxe Soft Cream Parfair (HK$220).

Shop F-9, 1/F, Fashion Walk
11-19 Great George Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2897 1118
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Causeway Bay

#2 LITTLE BAO

Think of Little Bao as an American diner with a modern Asian twist, dishing out familiar and comforting renditions of our Asian favourites over the counter and in many refreshing manners.

The LB Ice Cream Sandwich (HK$48) is always a good way to end your meal. It is essentially green tea ice cream sandwiched between two deep-fried bao. In other words, brilliance.

G/F 66 Staunton Street
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2194 0202
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Central MTR

#3 SINMEI TEA

Sinmei Tea might just be the it place to be now when you need some matcha fix in Hong Kong. It took us a while to locate the place, because it sits on the fifth level, within an unassuming building in Sheung Wan. What welcomed us was a long queue of matcha lovers, and an atmospheric cafe with an interior that models after a traditional teahouse.

Dining at Sinmei Tea will require a bit of patience, as there is always a queue to get in, and an even longer wait for your desserts to be served. But if you can look beyond that, the Matcha Cheese Cake (HK$40) and the Sizzling Matcha Brownie (HK$78) make great treats. What impressed us the most is its Hot Matcha Latte (HK$38). It does not look anywhere near fancy, but what you get is a cup of authentic goodness that is powdery, smooth and leaves a fragrant roasted tea aftertaste.

5/F, CS Tower, 50 Wing Lok Street
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3690 8238
Daily: 11.30am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Sheung Wan

#4 SWEET HOUSE CHA CHA

Sweet House Cha Cha is a kiosk that sits within City’Super that is located on the third floor of HarbourCity, but that does not mean its matcha desserts are any less popular. If any, there is always a queue for their matcha drinks and soft serve.

Their soft serves are the popular ones, and for HK$32, you get a matcha soft serve on cone. On a side note, we heard the Hokkaido Milk flavour is pretty yummy too!

city’super, 3/F, Harbour City
17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2375 8222
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tsim Sha Tsui

#5 TEAKHA

This tea specialist is housed in a little shophouse on a quiet alley off Tai Ping Shan Street, and it is easily one of the most popular cafes in recent times. The interior of the cafe is cute and cosy, while the outdoor terrace is a charming spot to have a cup of tea and enjoy their range of luscious desserts, including the signature Matcha Cheesecake.

The cake is moist and dense, and while there are many who enjoy a rich and sweet matcha cheesecake, we actually enjoyed Teakha’s version because it is not overwhelmingly sweet.

18 Tai Ping Shan Street
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2858 9185
Tue to Sun: 11am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Sheung Wan

#6 VIA TOKYO

Located on Leighton Road at Causeway Bay, Via Tokyo is a dessert cafe which specializes in traditional Japanese sweets, and has been getting a lot of attention from locals and visitors alike. There is a perpetual queue, and sitting spaces are limited.

Expect a slew of matcha desserts here, including the Matcha Eclair, Matcha Swiss Roll, and of course, a variety of Matcha parfaits. The soft serve is the most popular, and it is indeed one of the creamiest ones we’ve ever had.

Shop no 1A-1B, G/F Leishun Court
106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2895 1116
Mon to Thu, & Sun: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Fri, Sat & PH: 9.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Causeway Bay

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes Hong Kong you must visit.