Review: Cafe Hachi - New Matcha Cafe in Singapore Offering Finest Single Origin Uji Matcha
Cafe Hachi is a new matcha cafe inspired by the founding brand Matcha Cafe Hachi (established 2017) in Fukuoka, Japan. Hachi means Eight in Japanese, and a figure 8 on its side, resembles the infinity sign, thus conveying the concept of limitless possibilities.
Located along North Canal Road (opposite Hong Lim Park), the cafe specialises in premium Uji matcha sweets and drinks, alongside vegan dishes and Hakata specialities. By the same folks behind Torikin and Teppan Bar Q.
What is single origin matcha?
In reference to matcha, single origin simply means the tencha (leaves that are ground to make matcha) were grown in a single place. Single origin matcha is unique because of its strong and unmasked characteristics. Each smell, flavour, colour and finish is wholly credited to that one variety.
Cafe Hachi’s Matcha Specialities
At Cafe Hachi, each matcha recipe uses high quality powdered green tea, meticulously grown and produced in Uji Wazuka-cho, Kyoto Japan. The matcha is carefully cultivated and only the finest leaves are picked. Green tea and Japanese tea are sourced from Hoshino Village and Saga Ureshino in Kyushu region.
Elevate your matcha experience by selecting your preferred matcha blend. Cafe Hachi offers 3 ceremonial grades of matcha powder, Okumidori, Samidori and Asahi (lowest to highest grade).
Okumidori - Has the richest matcha aroma out of the three. Savoury and delicately sweet with underlying elements of green pea and mango. Colour: Jade-green
Samidori - Has a lovely avocado aroma. Silky and smooth, subtly sweet with undertones of banana and rosemary. Colour: Forest green
Asahi - Pinnacle of matcha. Has a mellow aroma of egg custard and vanilla. Velvety and delicate, with no bitterness.
Tip: Take a good whiff of your matcha before tasting it!
Matcha
Matcha (100% pure matcha served hot) is available in 3 different grades of matcha, Okumidori, Samidori and Asahi. It is served with a mildly sweet matcha tart for a complete matcha indulgence.
Iced Matcha Latte
Prefer to drink matcha with milk? Check out Matcha Latte, which is made with Okumidori matcha. Hojicha Latte (roasted green tea latte) is also available. Both Matcha Latte and Hojicha Latte are available in hot and iced versions.
Matcha Sweets
At Cafe Hachi, Okumidori matcha is used in making their matcha sweets as it has the strongest matcha aroma and the most bitter aftertaste, balancing the sweetness level in desserts.
Matcha Tall Parfait
Matcha Tall Parfait brings different textures together, all in one parfait. White wine jelly lines the bottom of the glass, topped with panna cotta, tiramisu sauce, Hokkaido Azuki red beans, rice cracker bits and soft matcha chocolate.
Matcha Swiss Roll
Matcha Swiss Roll is a fluffy matcha sponge cake rolled up with fresh matcha cream and custard. Enjoy the rich and smooth roll cake filled with earthy matcha flavours.
Matcha Tiramisu and Warabimochi
Matcha Tiramisu and Warabimochi features whipped matcha cream topped with Okumidori matcha, and warabimochi made from scratch. The light and refreshing warabimochi takes the edge off the slight bitterness from the tiramisu.
Loco Moco
Their savoury menu is gluten-free, offering vegan options such as Vegan Doria, Vegan Loco Moco, and Buddha Bowl.
The star of Loco Moco is the soy patty, tofu which is grilled in the oven for 45 minutes. it is recommended to use a spoon to enjoy this soft tofu delicacy. Ginger and teriyaki sauce is drizzled on the patty, finished with homemade granola tossed in maple syrup.
Vegan Doria
Vegan Doria is another healthy choice with a variety of freshly grilled vegetables served with chewy and nutty barley.
Buddha Bowl
Buddha Bowl is a hearty bowl of colourful vegetables, consisting of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, pickled purple cabbage, mushrooms, Japanese sweet potato, eggplant and sake kasu/sake lees (derived from the remaining mash after sake is fermented) with parmesan cheese. For those who don’t know, Sake Kasu is packed with nutritions like high protein and vitamin B, with hints of alcohol.
If you prefer something non-vegan, the cafe also serves pasta dishes such as Mentai Pasta and Prawn and Tomato Pasta. Calling all seafood lovers, Mentai Pasta is a Hakata speciality pasta cooked with mentaiko and butter.
Final Thoughts:
We thoroughly enjoyed the wholesome matcha and vegan combo. Not only are matcha sweets the perfect pick-me-up in Singapore's warm climate, they are also loaded with benefits including high antioxidants, boost in metabolism and calming effects. We certainly felt more relaxed while indulging in the refreshing aroma of fresh green leaves paired with a rich umami flavour.
On the savoury side, our favourite is the Loco Moco, the flavourful and delicate soy patty is the bomb!
Can’t decide between sweet or savoury? Relax, and enjoy the best of both worlds at Cafe Hachi!
Cafe Hachi
Location: 35 North Canal Rd, #01-01 Singapore 059291
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 11pm (Bar Menu available from 6pm to 11pm). Closed on Mon (Closed on Tues if Mon is a public holiday)
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