Now Reading: In A Matcha Mood? Here Are Top 7 Must-Try Matcha Drinks And Desserts!
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In A Matcha Mood? Here Are Top 7 Must-Try Matcha Drinks And Desserts!
Calling all matcha lovers (and even those who aren’t)! These seven matcha spots are here to steal the show, and you’re coming along to see why.
Like nature pressed into powder, matcha leaves its mark—from sacred rituals to the everyday drink and dessert that fuel conversations and clarity. So, before the chasen sets, let’s whisk our way through seven must-try matcha drinks and desserts.
Some mornings call for coffee, but others may beg for the smooth buzz of caffeine without the crash. No longer just for tea lovers, matcha—thick, herbaceous, and with no sharpness—is a calming energy boost that pairs perfectly with a sweet treat.
1. Niko Neko Matcha
Japanese-rooted, but Malaysian-born, Niko Neko Matcha is unmistakable for its quality series of matcha. Setting itself apart from other commercial brands, a matcha maker like Niko Neko sources their green liquid gold from a specific farm in Japan. They’ve mastered Japan’s age-old art of matcha alchemy, where the leaves are hand-harvested, stone-ground, and shade-grown for richer vitality; it’s a testament to why their fame was bound to froth up.
Their minimalism—as pure as their powder—is central to their brand. Echoing your mood, Niko Neko has a series of four flavours that each carries a story of its own. REN, their first and finest quality is Yabukita cultivar-crafted, with subliminal one-of-a-kind mouthfeel that’ll draw anyone in. For all its velvety depth, it’s rich on the tongue, yet lingers lightly.
Second is KIKU, a Ceremonial Class Matcha powder that is all-natural. KIKU is a Yabukita and Saemidori mix that is imbued with pistachio-like nuttiness and a toasted lift that settles into a subtle finish. Next up is the AJISAI 2.0. While not as highly graded, this matcha from the Mie prefecture offers a delightfully creamy body well worth the price of admission. For those who like a more nutty roast, the AJISAI 2.0 is it. Smooth, with a whisper of bitterness along the edges, it’s the kind of green you won’t forget.
Onto other pours, we take a look at Niko Neko’s classic YURI that takes your hand and leads you on an artisanal matcha quest. Recommended for matcha first-timers, YURI may be a little grassy, but it’s a lot gentler to savour and works as well as a drink as it does a dessert. Besides this, Niko Neko has more to offer than its signature matcha. Selections of hojicha, genmaicha, genmai as well as some special tea bags are just some of the things you can find here. Deserving of their fame, Niko Neko is a justified occupant of the green throne.
2. Ari X Gato Tea & Dining Bar
Hiding inside The Club at Empire Residence is a green glasshouse den that wears two masks. It’s a café by day and a bar by night, and it makes for a serene spot to visit indeed. Their menu is a mash-up of beans and bottles and Ari X Gato Tea & Dining Bar has, in no time at all, established itself as an experience to behold. It offers an open exhibition to a verdant view thanks to its glasshouse design—nature’s artwork to linger in.
Ari x Gato flirts with matcha in the language of mixology with their Matcha 3 Journey. This tea tasting begins on a trail up Matcha YuzuPine, a pick-me-up that truly awakens. From there, with your senses sparked, is a path poured out to the Coconut Matcha Cloud. It makes for a wonderful visual, its creamy, cloudy beauty alone worth the journey. The richness of the ceremonial grade matcha is refreshing to lose yourself in, much like clouds themselves often are. Then, the last stop greets you with a mini Matcha Latte. Matcha apart, the Ari X Gato Tea & Dining Bar is worth visiting for the atmosphere itself.
3. Kora Kora Matcha TTDI
Matcha may be poured like tea, but Kora Kora Matcha in TTDI shows you how it can transform into something more. Located in TTDI, Kora Kora Matcha wins you over not only with its drinks, but with its desserts, too. Take their Banana Pudding Matcha Latte—it’s not just a drink, but a spell, where the mellow matcha and soft banana pudding meet in harmony, topped with caramel and a sprinkle of Biscoff.
For those who prefer a pop of colour alongside their green, the Superior Strawberry Matcha Latte is a perfect choice. Slightly sweeter and visually charming, it’s where the berries add a blush and the matcha leaves a lingering finish. It’s a unique pairing that balances the bitterness of matcha with the bright, fruity sweetness. The Taro Matcha Latte also makes a stunning duo, worth trying if you’re in the mood for something different. And don’t miss the Matchamisu, Kora Kora Matcha’s cult-favorite dessert—it’s a treat that hits the same beautiful notes. A trend-worthy indulgence you won’t want to scroll past.
4. BASK
A small but pretty space, BASK in APW Bangsar is more than meets the eye. Spun together by the team behind The Tokyo Restaurant, BASK is much beloved for their specialty coffee as well as their matcha-married cheesecakes. One of the standouts here is the YURI Matcha Latte—a brew that best paired with a bake like the YURI Matcha Burnt Cheesecake. A touch grassy but otherwise gentle on the palate, YURI makes for a darling soft matcha.
For more of a browned-nut aroma, look towards their AJISAI Matcha Latte. Toying with a toasty wisp of soybean, you’ll find a subtle waft of pistachio as you sink into the drink. BASK isn’t just matcha though, it has a little something for everyone. The Chocolate Cheesecake here for instance, is the sweetheart of the menu and sure to steal every dessert lover’s heart.
5. Monet Atelier
As their name suggests, Monet Atelier is indeed a curator of artful experiences. Its neighbourly ambiance beckons you in for a soothing drink. Slake your thirst with a Strawberry Matcha Latte, an alchemisation that is as praised as it is popular. Refreshingly smooth, it’s a saucy sibling to the classic Matcha Latte. For those who are delightfully curious about their signature bite, the Tiramisu is bittersweet heaven. For something even richer, turn your eyes to the Matcha Tiramisu: A decadent, suave dessert that’s not overly sweet. Subtle in spirit and with a minimalist mood.
6. Oga Tea & Dining
Oga Tea & Dining is yet another seasoned matcha artist, among its many other strengths. Sporting a heavy Japanese influence, the Getsusui Matcha Tiramisu here has earned itself a devoted following. Equally as good is the Getsusui Matcha Burnt Cheesecake with its thick, velvelty texture. If you’d like a taste of summer, you can go for the Matcha with Pineapple Burnt Cheesecake, a tropical treat that goes perfectly with the Sparkling Coconut Matcha with Yuzu on the side. These are some decadent offerings you really won’t want to miss out on.
7. Looozer
Step right up and visit Looozer, this fresh new opening at The Pocket may very well turn out to be your next best friend. Even before they set up, Looozer had already built itself quite the reputation. Previously existing as a succession of pop-ups, now that it’s planted roots, Looozer is set to charm everybody in the neighbourhood. So what’s their secret? It’s in the cold-whisks. Not very standard stuff, but what it does is it emphasises a brighter, sweeter flavour profile that the matcha has been hiding all this while.
A hit since its launch, the Hokkien Blend, steeped in the co-founder’s Hokkien heritage, is a novel house special matcha mix. It’s something quite unique, possessing hints of florals and a hit of freshness. The Black Sesame Matcha and the Red Bean Matcha are also standout offerings that make for a delightful bite. Also, here’s a little secret for you: ask for the secret Hot Strawberry Latte—it’s not on the menu but it’s definitely worth seeking out!
Final Pour
Matcha may start as a simple green pour, but with precision, it turns into something bolder, richer, and more vibrant. These seven matcha spots have mastered the art, turning matcha from a finely ground leaf into a sweet canvas of creativity. Whether you’re after a snap-worthy latte or a spoon-licking dessert, these places are your ultimate matcha destinations. Call it obsession, call it love—let’s drink to that.
