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Header image courtesy of Matchali
Social media-crazed beverages tend to come and go like the seasons—think dalgona coffee and salted cheese milk tea—but matcha lattes are one of the few enduring trends that have clearly defied this rule. Whether it’s the impeccable combination of creamy milk with earthy and subtly bitter flavours, or the fact that it’s loaded with antioxidants and laced with just enough caffeine to give you an energy boost, there is something magical about this frothy green drink that seems to have an unshakable hold on Hongkongers’ hearts. Needless to say, we’re all for it, so we’ve compiled a list of the best places to get matcha lattes in Hong Kong!
The Coffeeology’s iced matcha latte ($60) has caused quite a stir on Instagram in the past few months, enthralling foodies and dedicated café-goers who live by the rule of “camera eats first.” Layered with milk, a deep green matcha syrup, and dense foam that almost overfills the conical glass cup, this beautiful icy beverage is made to resemble a snow-capped Mount Fuji.
It is smooth, potent, and only mildly sweetened, allowing the pleasantly astringent flavour of the star ingredient to shine through. Since it’s not overly sweet, you can pair it with their bestselling matcha cheesecake ($50) for a next-level matcha experience!
The Coffeeology, 12 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2898 8805
Short for “Not Only Coffee,” NOC offers much more than a mean cup of joe—and we would not be surprised if that the founders of this homegrown café brand had their rave-worthy matcha latte ($50) in mind when they decided on their business’s name.
Using premium Kyoto Uji matcha powder, the matcha latte here distinguishes itself by its unique buttery flavours and velvety smooth texture, as well as the beautiful latte art as the cherry on top, making the experience that much more satisfying. For the lactose intolerant and vegans, there’s also a fantastic oat milk version ($55) available.
You’ll definitely find yourself in the good company of fellow matcha aficionados at Matchali, the city’s first home-grown contemporary concept store revolving around ceremonial grade matcha. Although they specialise in one single ingredient, you won’t be running short of options, as the menu here surprises with flavours that far exceed the ordinary.
Ranging from a classic matcha latte ($50) to unique concoctions like matcha chai latte ($55), a fruity Starburst matcha latte ($65) and seasonal innovations like mango matcha latte ($60) and red bean matcha latte ($60), all their drinks are made without refined sugar and come with vegan options. You can get all the indulgence and none of the guilt—what’s not to love?
Save the low-fat, non-dairy stuff for another day—premium organic milk is in the very essence of Baekmidang’s DNA, so rich and creamy dairy goodness is what you’re coming for. Predictably, the milk-flavoured soft serve is what this dessert café is most lauded for, but we think it’s a crime against the matcha gods to leave without trying the decadent Jeju matcha latte ($48).
Don’t be alarmed that the drink comes in a rather small cup—the robust matcha and milk flavours merge to create a layered and luxurious mouthful that’s best slowly savoured, sip by sip!
Starring on the menu alongside Via Tokyo’s signature matcha soft serve are a slew of matcha-flavoured delights for the tea-obsessed, including cheesecake, cake roll, mille-feuille, and comforting lattes. Their matcha latte ($40) is made using Hokkaido milk and a high-grade matcha powder, and finished off with adorable cartoon latte art that’s almost too cute to drink!
Depending on the whims of the barista, you could see a cartoon character (our favourite is Totoro) floating on top of your hot drink. If you’re looking for something more refreshing and are willing to forgo some aesthetic details, the iced version ($42) will jolt your senses whilst delivering a creamy texture and powerful flavour punch.
Via Tokyo, Shop 1A–1B, Leishun Court, 106–126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2895 1116
Bubble tea fanatics will be no stranger to The Alley, but did you know that this Taiwanese bubble tea brand also whips up some of the best matcha lattes in town? Sure, their renderings of the caffeinated green beverage are far from traditional, but they are by no means inferior to the others on the list.
The brown sugar Deerioca matcha latte ($32) boasts a toasty caramel flavour that’s delightfully juxtaposed with the subtle bitterness of the matcha, while the peach oolong matcha latte ($32) from their white velvet series is mounded with a glorious layer of whipped cream cheese and drinks like a dessert!
If you’re more of a purist, then Basao Tea’s matcha latte ($50) could be your cup of tea (pun intended). Basao’s tea specialists pride themselves on preparing the drink the traditional way using a bamboo chasen (ちゃせん; tea whisk), which releases the aromas of the matcha powder and contributes to an exceptionally smooth consistency (believe it or not, it is possible to enjoy a matcha latte without complimentary lumpy sediments at the bottom of your cup). While you’re here, we highly recommend ordering the kukicha cake roll ($52) to go with your latte for the full experience.
Soy milk-based matcha lattes can be tricky to get right and we’ve certainly had our fair share of disappointment—that is, before we hit the jackpot with Teakha’s matcha soy latte ($62). Served in a lovely ceramic bowl, the steamy beverage tastes every bit as frothy and rich as its dairy-made counterparts, with nutty soy undertones that perfectly enhance the natural earthiness of the matcha.
Apart from teas, Teakha’s other claims to fame are their matcha cheesecake ($50) and inventive scones ($36)—with flavours like pineapple honeycomb and strawberry basil—offering you plenty of latte accompaniments to pick from!
Teakha, Shop B, 18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2858 9185
A wanderer, chronic overthinker, and baking enthusiast, Beverly spent much of her childhood in the United States before moving to Hong Kong at age 11 and making the sparkling city her home. In her natural habitat, she can be found baking up a storm in her kitchen, journalling at a café, or scrolling through OpenRice deciding on her next meal.
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