The origin of matcha dates back thousands of years to the Tang Dynasty in China, despite it being deeply rooted in Japanese culture today. While many often confuse matcha with green tea, the two have very distinctive flavour profiles, cultivation and preparation methods, as well as health benefits.
In fact, matcha is derived from the same plant as green tea, known as Camellia Sinensis. However, unlike green tea which is processed in a way that retains its natural bitter flavours but with a light, delicate mouthfeel, matcha tends to have richer, more intense flavours. Moreover, matcha is known to be very high in antioxidants—think anywhere between three to ten times the amount in standard green tea. This makes it a highly beneficial ingredient to consume for anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting benefits.
If you like green tea very matcha, have a look at the best spots in the Klang Valley to satisfy your dessert and drink cravings.
1. Oh Cha Matcha
Priding itself as the first and only matcha café in Malaysia that serves sugar-free, dairy-free and guilt-free matcha, Oh Cha Matcha is a crowd-favourite option for among the healthiest—if not the healthiest—matcha in the country. There’s a plethora of healthy yet delicious drinks to try aside from the standard matcha latte, including the collagen-packed Beauty Series and colourful (read: Insta-worthy) mixed matcha drinks. You can also try the matcha burnt cheesecake and softserve for a more decadent treat, or if you’re feeling adventurous, order the matcha pasta!
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours:
- Oh Cha Matcha TTDI (Flagship Store): 11am to 10pm on weekdays; 10am to 10pm on weekends
- Oh Cha Matcha KLCC: 9am to 7pm on weekdays (closed on weekends)
Contact: +603 7732 0397 / [email protected]
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2. Niko Neko Matcha
You’ve probably seen photos of Niko Neko’s aesthetically pleasing concept stores populating your Instagram feed, but it’s not just the clean, white interiors that are worth a shout-out. As the trusted matcha supplier for several cafes around the Klang Valley and beyond, discerning matcha fans can definitely taste the difference in the quality of the brand’s matcha products. Besides iced or hot matcha lattes and teas, they also offer matcha mocktails and a range of desserts such as croissants, burnt cheesecakes, roulades and choux pastries.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours:
- Niko Neko 1.5 / Bangsar: 11am to 6pm, Mondays to Sundays (closed on Wednesdays)
- Niko Neko 2.0 / Chinatown: 11am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +6011 5648 2490 (WhatsApp)
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3. Matcha Hero
Founded by a Japanese native, Match Hero offers high quality imported tea from Japan, namely the award-winning Marukyu Koyamaen brand that has been producing fine tea for several centuries. You’ll find the specialty Japanese green tea shop at two well-known destinations for fans of Japanese cuisine and culture: Pavilion’s Tokyo Street and the Isetan Japan store. Expect a simple menu featuring pure matcha drinks, ice-cream and panna cotta, with the occasional seasonal offerings.
Available for: Takeaway only (pre-order is required for desserts)
Opening hours:
Contact: +603 2144 3288
4. Hejaü
One of the newer establishments on this list, Hejau is that matcha-loving kid on the block at the ever-hipster Gasket Alley. The menu here comprises of a mix of classic and locally-inspired drinks including Matcha Lemonade, Matcha + Kedondong and the refreshing Matcha Wintermelon, as well as matcha bun, butter cake and Japanese cheesecake. Don’t miss the soft, fluffy matcha polo buns to complement your drink of choice—one might call it a holy matcha-mony.
Available for: Takeaway only
Opening hours: 12pm to 9pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
5. The Tokyo Restaurant
This popular Japanese restaurant is best known for its burnt cheesecake, which is available in the original and matcha flavours. Incidentally, the matcha they use comes from Niko Neko, promising fragrant umami aromas with only a tinge of bitterness. Complemented with rich cheese, the matcha burnt cheesecake boasts a silky smooth texture that melts like butter in your mouth. They have also recently added a new ‘premium matcha chocolate dessert’ that features nutty hints of pistachios.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours: 11am to 8pm daily (last order 7.30pm)
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6. Kakiyuki
Although Kakiyuki is primarily known for serving kakigori, a Japanese shaved ice dessert, it also offers wagashi, roll cake, daifuku, dessert bento and more. Many of these desserts include matcha flavours, such as the Matcha Moon cake (great for birthdays and celebrations) and classic Japanese roll cake. Alternatively, you can opt for the Classic Matcha Dessert Bento if you only have eyes for matcha.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours: Subject to respective outlet (view all outlet locations here)
Contact: +6011 3105 3205 / [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Maccha Iki
With more than 30 types of matcha desserts on top of a selection of matcha drinks, Maccha Iki is a true matcha addict’s paradise. The Japanese cafe cum matcha specialty shop uses premium matcha imported from Japan, featuring signature creations such as Matcha Tiramisu, Matcha Mille Cake and Matcha Mochi. When dine-in is possible, you’ll want to check out its interiors that are designed to emulate traditional Japanese shops with its use of wooden eaves and tatami mats.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm
Contact: +6010 390 3352 / +603 4288 3118
Website | Facebook | Instagram
8. Littlepeople
Littlepeople specialises in daily fresh made pasta, while also offering rice bowls, pastries, coffee, tea, and desserts—matcha included. The Charcoal Matcha Roll and Matcha White Chocolate Tart are best-sellers, but there are plenty of other non-matcha options worth checking out too, in case you’re also ordering for family/friends/housemates who aren’t a fan of green tea.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours: 8.30am to 7pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram
9. Mei by Fat Spoon
Japanese-inspired restaurant Mei by Fat Spoon not only offers indulgent rice bowls, but also tempting matcha creations. The Matcha Cake ganache is a soft, fluffier alternative to the rich cheesecakes you’ll find at some of the places on this list. On the other hand, pastry fans should not miss the croissant that’s served with homemade matcha butter. There are also iced matcha drinks that come with a dairy-free option for a vegan-friendly treat.
Available for: Takeaway and delivery
Opening hours:
- The Hub SS2: 11am to 7.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
- Hartamas: 11am to 6.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
Contact:
- The Hub SS2: [email protected] / +603 7498 0220
- Hartamas: [email protected] / +603 2300 3327
Website | Facebook | Instagram
10. Yum.cha
Open in April 2021, Yum.cha is one of the bold new cafes in KL that launched in the midst of the pandemic. The bright orange cafe has already become synonymous with its Tiffany blue spiral staircase, in addition to its myriad of pastries, desserts and drinks (it’s in the name). Matcha lovers can enjoy donuts, croissants, burnt cheesecake, canelé, madeleine, and matcha drinks here—made using the premium selection of matcha from Niko Neko.
Opening hours: 11am to 6pm daily
Contact: +6012 764 6028
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