Cha Cha no Ma

Cha Cha no Ma

The green tea experience in Omotesando

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Kanten (Photo by Momoko Mochizuki)

Whether you consider yourself a Japanese tea connoisseur or a complete newbie to the green-tea scene, a visit to Cha Cha no Ma in Omotesando will no doubt have you agreeing that the cozy tearoom’s got the nihoncha craft down—to a T.

Shiratama
Shiratama
(Photo by Momoko Mochizuki)

With over 30 varieties, carefully selected from throughout Japan, the tea really is the main focus here—as everything revolves around enhancing the drinking experience. The tea is never a blend of different varieties from varying tea farms, as is the current norm, but is purely from a single farm, and of a single variety. Expertly prepared by a Japanese tea sommelier, each type is served not just once, but several times, with each brew producing different variations of flavor. The result is a truly fun and unique visit.

A savory menu (¥1,100-1,400 on weekdays) is available during lunch hours from 11am to 2:30pm, outside of which a selection of desserts is offered. The lunch sets include rice, soup, and two sides, with a choice of a main vegetable, pork, or chicken dish, all prepared using fresh, organic vegetables that are in season at the time.

The desserts (from ¥1,100) are not overly sweet, so as not to overpower the tea they are paired with. Choices include a Japanese-style parfait with green tea, vanilla, or brown sugar ice cream together with azuki (red bean) paste, kanten (agar), shiratama (rice-flour dumplings), and warabi mochi (bracken-starch dumplings); hōjicha (roasted green tea) flavored kanten with azuki, shiratama, and ice cream, and a cold zenzai, or azuki soup, with a side of matcha chocolate.

Once a choice of dessert is ordered, the tea-drinking commences, starting with a small cup of dried tea leaves, which are to be munched on and savored for their aroma and flavor. Next comes a strong brew, followed by another, milder one, finally to be enjoyed with the dessert—the combination of sweet and bitter a perfect pair.

If you’re looking to transport the luxurious break to your home, a selection of tea is available to buy in-store, and the friendly specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Whenever you’re feeling in need of a quality green tea experience, visit Cha Cha no Ma—you’re sure to be feeling Zen in no time.

Open 11am-7pm, closed Mon. 5-13-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Nearest station: Meiji-Jingumae. Tel: 03-5468-8846. www.chachanoma.com