Matcha, the ancient, fluorescent green, bitter, mildly intoxicating antioxidant tea, has stormed into fashion in the West in the last few years. So it was only a matter of time before it got its own café, and here it is. Matcha shots, matcha cappuccino, matcha frappé, matcha umami with white chocolate, traditional Imperial matcha – you name it, Umami Matcha Café’s got it.
The café is housed in a contemporary light-filled space with white tables, grey chairs and a big bar area where you can also order one of the three main savoury dishes on offer (the only offerings not featuring matcha – so far). The dishes are things like a healthy, flavourful donburi (Japanese rice, red label, sweet peppers and a sharp tamarind sauce). There’s also a range of desserts, which return to the matcha theme – soft white chocolate and matcha cookies, or Japanese cheesecake soufflé with matcha. The breakfast menu is also worth a look (matcha brioche, boiled organic eggs, seasame bread, granola with yuzu peel) as is the tea time deal with the dessert du jour and a hot drink for €8.
The café also houses a grocery section with a carefully selected array of Japanese products. Fans of the country’s cooking will love the range of premium soya sauces, yuzu and honey marmalade, sticky rice, soba noodles, shiitake mushrooms and, of course, the packets of organic matcha.
TRANSLATION: EH