Given the reported matcha shortages globally, we had to have as much matcha as we could in Japan while we could. We found Wasachi while wandering Roppongi before our lunch at Le Sputnik. It rated well, and the pictures of their matcha lattes looked legit.
We followed the map into what seemed like a quiet residential area, and it directed us into an apparent alleyway. We dutifully followed the arrow, and came to a building with a noren over one of the doors that said “Wasachi”. It seemed like it was the correct place, but there was no way to tell if the place was actually open. (In Melbourne, we had followed indicators to a supposed matcha shop down another alleyway that turned out to no longer exist.) We hesitantly tried the door, to find that it was a real place, open, and there were other people already there.
It was like a secret hideout that you wouldn’t know existed from the outside. A cosy little world in itself with cream coloured interiors and wooden furniture and flooring. A live-edge communal table that fits 5 or 6 people took up the centrespace of the room, and there were a couple of benches along the walls that might seat a couple more people. Chill house music played in the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
There were a couple of menus on the table, a short, succinct list with a few matcha drink options or a kombucha. The only non-drink items were matcha cookies, or avocado toast (perhaps to keep with the green colour scheme). A footnote let diners know that they use ceremonial grade organic matcha from their partner farm in Uji.
It was easy enough to decide what to have, as it was what we had sought the place out for.
The iced matcha latte on oat milk had a beautiful cascading gradient of vibrant green when it was brought to the table. The richness of the hue was certainly promising, and when stirred, it mixed well without being clumpy, and remained a healthy shade. Unfortunately, there are many places that initially present them with the layer of matcha on top, but when you actually mix it, it turns out to be pale and dilute. In this case, the matcha latte carried good strength of flavour, mellow, and just lightly sweetened, so that the sweetness didn’t overpower the matcha flavour.
The hot matcha latte was an even more striking green. Not many places achieve this shade, because their matcha has oxidised and looks a more dull green. It had also been whisked to a fine froth, and excellent microfoam texture on top. Again, it was a beautiful flavour and strength.
We decided to try a matcha cookie. This was a buttery disc that was also unabashedly green. It had the texture of a buttery shortbread cookie, but one that held its integrity, instead of disintegrating into a heap of crumbs after your first bite. It had that almost seaweed herby matcha flavour of course, and just the suggestion of sweetness. Many matcha confectioneries tend to have the actual matcha flavours masked by being overly sweet, but not in this case.
From overheard discussions and from the items served, it was evident that there was true attention to detail, and actually care in the craft. As each drink was prepared, the matcha was thoroughly hand whisked with a chasen. We heard about the importance of movements coming from the wrist, rather than just the look of vigorous action from the shoulder and elbow. As each cup of hot matcha was served, the cup was rotated a couple of times. It was explained that this was to find the most beautiful side of the cup to face the guest.
Wasachi was a lovely find, a tranquil space that also served up probably the best matcha on this trip – significantly better than popular chain The Matcha, which seemed more theatre than actual delivery. Wasachi is definitely worth a visit, and a revisit (we did). If you do go though, please be respectful of the space, and the serenity that others are there to seek. You might ask why we are sharing it rather than keep it a secret; so that it continues to exist and thrive, because places like this are precious.
Scores:
Food: 4/4
Setting: 1.5/2 (ambivalent on this one. It is a cosy space, but by its nature it fits only a few people in, and the peacefulness is easily shattered by a couple of noisy people.)
Service: 2/2
Total: 7.5/8
Price point: ¥650 to ¥850 for the matcha drinks, ¥50 extra for oat milk. ¥250 for the cookie.
Value: Excellent, for what you get.
Details:
Address: 7 Chome-11-9 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Phone: Not listed
Website: Wasachi
