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.

Kurasu Singapore is a four-day-old coffee shop that is hidden within Odeon Towers. Originating from Kyoto, this is the Japanese brand’s first venture in Singapore and the cafe is sharing the venue with District6, a co-working office space.

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.

Serving specialty coffee from selected roasters around Japan and Matcha Latte, this is one destination you have to stop by for a morning pick-me-up.

The cafe is already gaining popularity among those who are working nearby. So, we would recommend visiting the cafe before or after lunch hours if you are seeking a quiet environment.

Have your coffee by the floor-to-ceiling glass window as you watch the morning crusade pass by or choose to lounge on the comfortable sofas around the cafe.

Kurasu Singapore brews coffee from All Seasons Coffee in Tokyo and Taoca Coffee from Hyogo. Besides that, they also source coffee beans from Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia and thereafter, have them roasted by Single O in Australia.

If you are interested to find out more, the friendly baristas are more than willing to exchange and share their coffee knowledge with you.

We went for their Cappuccino (S$5), which was a delightful blend of rich espresso and hot milk to create a strong flavour that is not too harsh for the average person.

If caffeine is not your thing, Kurasu Singapore has another signature drink—Matcha Latte (S$5), whereby the matcha powder is 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.

As Kurasu Singapore is currently in soft launch, do note that the menu will be updated again to accommodate new chocolate drinks, baked goods and more.

Kurasu Singapore
331 North Bridge Road
#02-01, Odeon Towers
Singapore 188720
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

It is true that matcha desserts can be found in most Japanese restaurants in Singapore but if you are on a lookout for a cafe that specialises in matcha, then you have to know more about 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.

Nothing makes a matcha fan happier than a cup of aromatic Matcha Latte (S$5.50) which makes for a great morning drink before work starts. 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.

If a cold drink is what you are looking for to cool off from the heat, their Iced Genmaicha Latte (S$6) is a decent choice. It came with the right balance of cold, creamy milk and rich genmaicha powder which resulted in a robust flavour.

All beverages are made on the spot upon order and right in front of you, so you get to see the different techniques used to create your drink.

Yes, we are finally at the best part—Matcha Soft Serve. Served in two different sizes, the original cup goes for S$5 and you can get the large one for S$6.50. We honestly could not find a reason to dislike this sweet treat; it came with an intense matcha flavour and is really refreshing!

Besides matcha, the cafe also offers Cold Brew Soft Serve as well.

You can find a good selection of Japanese green tea shots and lattes at The Matcha Project. Some of them include Houjicha Latte (S$5.50), Genmaicha Latte (S$5.50) and Military Latte (S$6).

That being said, non-matcha drinks are also available too. Take a look at The Coffee Espresso’s menu and you wil find plenty of caffeine choices such as Cafe Latte (S$5), Cappuccino (S$5) and Flat White (S$5).

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

The East of Singapore is where one will find plenty of hidden treasures. While there are many concept cafes out there, To-gather Cafe in Bedok (next to Fengshan Market) is one gem where you can unwind from work.

Walk into the cafe and you will notice that cursive writings of inspirational quotes and song lyrics fill up the walls in the most elegant manner. There is also a wall featuring post-it notes with messages and compliments penned down personally by customers.

Inspired by an all-time favourite childhood song “The More We Get Together”, the owners of To-gather cafe aims to create a homey ambience concept where people gather together over a good meal and artisan coffees. The cafe offers delectable signature dishes and the most flavourful desserts to end your meal with.

The best part? Most of the main courses are affordably priced under S$12. To-gather Cafe is one place where you can have a good meal without breaking the bank.

GRILLED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF

We are mentioning this dish first because everyone agreed unanimously that this was the best.

Everything about the Grilled Tenderloin of Beef (S$24.90) just clicked together—the soft tenderloin steak grilled to pinkish medium rare doneness, with an addictive black pepper sauce and fragrant truffle oil, complete with mash potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

BRAISED BEEF PASTA

If having a beef steak is too much for you, go for the Braised Beef Pasta (S$11.90). We enjoyed the warm creamy spaghetti jazzed up with colourful bell peppers, button mushrooms and caramelised onions. The star ingredient of this pasta dish is the slow braised beef brisket. We always appreciate the flavours of a long simmered sauce; rich, aromatic and very tender.

The star ingredient of this pasta dish is the slow braised beef brisket. We always appreciate the flavours of a long simmered sauce; rich, aromatic and very tender.

PORK CORDON BLEU

The Pork Cordon Bleu (S$11.90) at To-gather Cafe is coated with a crispy crust of bread crumbs and we were greeted by a generous portion of ham and cheese stuffing when we pulled the pork loin apart.

It is important that the chef has the skills to ensure that the top layer has been deep fried to form a crispy casing, while the meat inside remains juicy. We are glad to say that the one at To-gather Cafe is worth trying. The Pork Cordon Bleu comes with fries and fresh salad drizzled over with light mustard sauce.

GRILLED PANDAN CHICKEN CHOP

Chicken chop may be a common item on most menus but Pandan Chicken Chop? Now that’s something we have to mention. The folks at To-gather Cafe have reinvented what used to be a run-of-the-mill food item into an interesting dish you cannot help but notice.

The marinated grilled chicken chop (S$9.90) is marinated with, of course, pandan and doused in a light coconut sauce. To spice things up a little more, a spoonful of pineapple salsa—made from scratch within the premises—is placed atop the chicken chop.

This is something the older folks can try if you are planning to visit with your family!

ARTISANAL COFFEE AND DESSERTS

The baristas at To-gather cafe have the usuals to serve you—Caffe Latte (S$4.20) and Cappuccino (S$4.20); and if you are more inclined towards tea, try the Matcha Latte (S$5.20). If you do not know, yes, Matcha Latte has no coffee in it.

You know what is the one dessert that got all of us swooning? The Homemade Hojicha Swiss Roll with Thick Hojicha Shot (S$5.90), a new item that is launched earlier this month. The idea of serving the dessert with a shot of Hojicha Latte is so that you can take sips in between bites because Swiss rolls tend to be dry; yes, we were so incredibly impressed by this “little touch”.

By the way, the Hojicha used for this dessert is made of premium Hojicha powder imported directly from Japan!

To-gather Cafe’s Matcha Lava Cake with Vanilla Gelato (S$7.20) has been making its rounds on Instagram in the last two years. It comes with a distinctively rich matcha flavour and a single scoop of vanilla gelato,

Come November 2016, To-gather Cafe will be celebrating its third birthday! And in conjunction with their birthday celebrations, they will be returning to society by donating a part of their proceeds to a social enterprise that provides clean water for rural communities.

Bring your family and friends over to this nostalgic cafe for a meal in the heartlands. After all, this is what To-gather Cafe is all about—the more we get together, the happier we’ll be!

And while you are at it, don’t forget to check out all the murals on the wall! They are done by local artists and it does not hurt to have a photo or two of it on your Instagram account!

To-gather Cafe
#01-25/27
84 Bedok North Street 4
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 6445 1011
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

This post is brought to you by To-gather Cafe.

For so long now, Hoshino Coffee at Plaza Singapura has been a favourite among shoppers and executives in the area. The queues are always long, and their popularity is no surprise. But if you do not want to join the queue, then venture further to the new Capitol Piazza as Hoshino Coffee has recently opened an outlet there.

Tucked away in a secluded area of Capitol Piazza’s Basement 2, Hoshino Coffee remains under the radar and is a serene place to enjoy a meal and to catch up with friends. The Japanese establishment is famous for their coffee and desserts, but what remains relatively unknown to most people is that they do serve a delectable variety of wholesome savoury dishes at very affordable prices.

Here is our take on the 13 items that you must try at Hoshino Coffee’s new flagship outlet at Capitol Piazza, and we are pretty certain you will fall in love too.

#1 FUWA FUWA HOSHINO SOUFFLÉ

Probably one we will return for, the Fuwa Fuwa Hoshino Soufflé (S$15.80) is famed for its wobbly golden hue puffy top. Dig through the eggy fluff and a bed of rice infused with cheese, mushroom slices, chunks of bacon, and tomato sauce awaits. The portion of this baked dish is huge and we think it is best to be share it with someone.

#2 PIE PIZZA

Pie Pizza is, well, a hybrid of a pie and pizza. Made with mainly flaky and buttery puff pastry, these fusion creations are significantly less dense than the traditional pizza. Each Pie Pizza (S$15) comes with a side salad, minestrone soup and wedges. There are only two flavours at the moment – mushroom & chicken and mixed flavours. But they are good enough, trust us. These Pie Pizzas are also exclusive to Capitol Piazza’s outlet.

#3 TONKATSU TOAST

Last but certainly not the least, Hoshino Coffee did an exceptional job with their mouthwatering Tonkatsu Toast (S$11.80). The delightful deep-fried breaded pork and shredded vegetables were sandwiched between two toasted breads, and each each bite reminded us of the ones we had in Japan.

#4 SALMON SPAGHETTI

Hoshino Coffee’s menu also boasts a variety of spaghetti options and a perennial customers’ favourite is the Salmon with Wasabi Cream Sauce (S$16). Served on a white oval dish, the Japanese cream-based pasta is prepared with shiitake mushrooms, shredded seaweed, salmon chunks, bits of spicy wasabi and a dash of sesame seeds. Lots of flavours in one dish, indeed!

#5 POT-BAKED CURRY RICE

Hoshino Coffee’s Pot-Baked Curry Rice (S$15) is served piping hot on a sizzling hot pan. The robust dish of baked Japanese cheesy curry rice served with generous chunks of sausages, broccoli and a semi-molten egg, is actually a memorable highlight that we will gladly return regularly for. It is one of those amazing wonders-all-in-one-bowl dish.

#6 PANCAKE SOUFFLÉ

Pancake Soufflés are Hoshino Coffee’s best-selling desserts. Ironically, they are neither a soufflé nor a pancake, but are actually a cross-breed between these two classic dishes. Enjoy a single slice of soufflé-style pancake (S$9.80) or a double portion (S$12) with a choice of honey or maple syrup. You can also choose to have them with chocolate and banana or homemade whipped cream (single – S$13.50, double – S$16.80).

From time to time, limited edition selections are available and the current menu recommends Pancake Soufflé Style with Peach (single – S$14.50, double – S$17.80). By the way, we totally dig how they are so damn photogenic.

#7 ICE MATCHA LATTE WITH SOFTEE

Hoshino Coffee has an ultimate combo perfect for green tea lovers. The Ice Matcha Latte with Green Tea Flavoured Softee (S$9.30) is a delightful drink-cum-dessert. Why have just an element of green tea when you can have two? Do note that the cold beverage becomes milkier as the soft serve ice cream melts. Warning: this is an addictive treat.

#8 MATCHA / VANILLA SOUFFLÉ

The pot-baked soufflé (S$10.80) is available in either matcha or vanilla flavour. Each soufflé is baked upon order, so do be prepared to wait for at least 20 minutes before the dessert is presented to you fresh from the oven. Watch in awe as the soufflé’s jiggly pillow-like top eventually collapses into the ceramic dish containing it. If you have ordered the vanilla soufflé, you can choose from viscous chocolate or thick custard sauce as condiments. We suggest the former, because chocolate is always more decadent and satisfying, yes?

#9 FRENCH TOAST

The soft and fluffy lukewarm brioche French Toast with Caramel Nuts (S$10.80) is drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with sliced bananas, sifted icing sugar, pan-roasted almond slices. The large scoop of ‘ice-cream’ is actually a generous portion of chilled homemade whipped cream. A simpler variation of the French Toast (S$9.90) is available, where it is simply topped with sugar and cream.

#10 MILLE-FEUILLE

The Mille-Feuille is a flaky French-inspired dessert made with layers of incredibly thin and light puff pastry. We particularly enjoyed the Strawberry Mille-Feuille (S$15) where it was filled with vast amounts of piped cream, juicy strawberries, strawberry ice cream and jam.

If you were wondering, the strawberry ice cream and jam are actually hidden by the cream. Should strawberries not appeal to you, you can choose to have the Tiramisu Mille-Feuille (S$15)  instead. Both Mille-Feuilles are exclusive to Capitol Piazza’s outlet so do make a special trip down to sample these sugary treats.

#11 HOSHINO HAND-DRIPPED COFFEE

The highest quality Arabica coffee beans have been selected by Hoshino’s in-house coffee blend specialist Master Kano, and are roasted over open fire. The piquant hot coffee (S$5.80) flavours leaves a pleasant acidic aftertaste and is best consumed within 15 minutes. You can choose to refill your coffee at 50% off for Hoshino Blend Coffee, Americano, and Iced Coffee – this is amazing news!

#12 HOT FRUIT TEA

If you are more of a tea person, you must not miss out on a fragrant pot of Hot Fruit Tea (S$9.90). This is our favourite drink! The refreshing fruity tea comes with an interesting mixture of freshly sliced apples, oranges, kiwis and blueberries. We were hopelessly addicted to the sweet tea and completely unsurprised when told that it at times sells out by afternoon.

#13 SAKURA LATTE

Contrary to popular belief, the gorgeous-looking pink coloured Sakura Latte is actually free from caffeine and colourings. You can choose to have it hot (S$9) or iced with softee (S$9.30). The milk-based beverage infused with cherry blossoms is actually very light and has an aromatic floral scent.

For the latest updates, go to www.hoshinocoffee.com.sg, and like Hoshino Coffee on Facebook.

Hoshino Coffee
Capitol Piazza #B2-55
15 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 6384 5131
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post is brought to you by Hoshino Coffee.

A good matcha latte is a definite staple drink for all matcha lovers. Matcha has been made popular in Singapore ever since the food community in Singapore adopted a love for Japanese cuisine, and more and more restaurants, eateries and dessert cafes have implemented the use of this healthy ingredient into the food they serve.

Matcha has been incorporated into almost every food type imaginable. Matcha noodles, matcha ice cream, matcha cheese cake and even matcha waffles. But despite the many options out there, sometimes all we need is a good ‘ol matcha latte.

Where do you get the best matcha lattes in Singapore? Read on to find out the Top 7 Matcha Lattes in Singapore.

#1 HOSHINO COFFEE

This popular French-Japanese cafe from Japan is in Singapore with three swanky outlets, and we cannot love their matcha latte enough. True to its Japanese roots, Hoshino Coffee serves one of the best Matcha Latte (S$9) in town. It may sound expensive, but we would gladly pay for the premium quality and to catch up with our friends in the relaxing environment.

13, Stamford Road, #B2-55, Capitol Piazza
Singapore 178905
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#2 MACCHA HOUSE

Maccha House is a specialised matcha cafe/restaurant, serving their signature matcha drinks and desserts, alongside hot and savoury mains such as ramen noodles. The Hot Matcha Latte (S$3.80) is a true delight indeed. There are different variations such as Iced Matcha Latte with Azuki and Shiratama (S$6.40), and Matcha Chocolate Latte (S$5.40).

This beautiful cup contains none of the fake powdery ones used in cheap bottled drinks. Definitely one of our favourites.

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

#3 NANA’S GREEN TEA

Voted the best Japanese cafe once, Nana’s Green Tea does not disappoint. Their Matcha Latte is, without a doubt, a must-try. Although Nana’s also offers savoury mains, we say skip it and dive right for their matcha items – ice cream, desserts and drinks.

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

#4 PIES & COFFEE

You might be wondering why Pies & Coffee since they specialise primarily in pies and well, coffee. But we have to admit that the matcha latte here is pleasant Soothe your throat with a strong (but not too strong) and distinct matcha taste; this is the perfect drink to consume after wolfing down their delicious array of pies.

35 Rochester Drive
#01-02, Rochester Mall
Singapore 138639
Tel: +65 6570 0080
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#5 SAINT 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 chocolate croissants or as they name it, ChocoCro. While this matcha latte is not the richest or most intense on the list, we love the fact that it goes down smoothly and is easy to drink.

And if you have the Entertainer App – one of the best dining apps in Singapore – you can enjoy a 1-for-1 deal on the Matcha Latte.

6 Raffles Blvd, Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6338 8606
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

#6 THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

As huge fans of matcha lattes, we were happy to find out that The Assembly Ground serves a really good cuppa. The Matcha Latte (S$5.50) is nice and smooth and we were surprised to know that they serve one so good that we would definitely make a return trip for. Not to mention that The Assembly Ground is the perfect place to kick back with a warm cup of drink.

#01-21 The Cathay
2 Handy Road
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 67333375
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

#7 TSUJIRI

Tsujiri is an institution known for its Japanese tea and matcha desserts in Kyoto. As you can only take away drinks here, we highly recommend just going for the classic Matcha Latte (S$5.60). The matcha flavours are crazy intense but so good at the same time. Die-hard matcha fans will definitely fall in love with it right away.

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