Then make your way to Raku Matcha, a minimalist Zen-inspired café in the heart of Seksyen 19, and indulge in a soothing hot beverage, or a sumptuous dessert.
Based on the concept of “raku,” which means “happy” or “delightful” in Japanese, this café’s vast array of premium tea-inspired meals will definitely prove to be, well, your cup of tea.
“The design of Raku Matcha is inspired by a typical Japanese tea house. We have meticulously selected everything here, whether it be food or even music options, to provide our guests with a calm and relaxing dining environment,” Raku Matcha operator Mia Wang Xiao Li told FMT Lifestyle.
Raku Matcha is part of New Ocean World Fine Food City, which bills itself as Malaysia’s first and only lifestyle gourmet mall. This eight-floor building is devoted to gastronomic experiences, and houses 22 handpicked specialty restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including Chinese, Greek, Mongolian and Japanese.
It’s not just the tea that’s green at this café: its interior is awash in natural hues, from the bright emerald of its geisha-inspired logo to the olive seats of its chairs. Much of the furniture here has been specially constructed for the café’s carefully curated aesthetics.
Much effort has been put in to evoke the serene atmosphere of a Japanese tea house: one wall even sports detailed illustrations of how to perform the “Cha-no-yu,” an august tea ceremony.
Raku Matcha takes its tea very seriously. One could say its matcha-do about everything. Each dish utilises only the highest-grade premium ceremonial matcha from Tsuen Matcha in Uji, Kyoto: an 863-year-old establishment believed to be the oldest production in Japan.
As expected, its beverage selection is wonderful: many drinks are served with a little card bearing information on their taste profiles, single origin, benefits and more. This is highly beneficial for those who want to be more mindful about what they consume, and the cute presentation definitely puts the “cha” in “charming.”
Food-wise, their Sanshoku Dango mochi is a chewy and flavourful treat, while their waffles are a sumptuous delight.
Scoops of matcha and hojicha ice cream blend elegantly with red bean paste, a cookie crust, crispy matcha-inspired pastry and a generous drizzling of matcha syrup to create a satisfying dessert that truly tantalises the taste buds.
One of the more unique offerings here is the Mont Blanc, which may resemble a plate of pasta, but is really a sweet dessert.
Crafted through specialty machines brought here from Japan, the Mont Blanc comprises chestnut puree, matcha-infused vermicelli and pate sable on a vanilla-chiffon cake, topped with baked chestnut. Its creamy taste will definitely prove a hit with diners.
Initially, Raku Matcha served only desserts, but have now expanded their menu with set lunches.
Their Salmon Ume Ochazuke is a simple yet comforting dish of rice and salmon fillets immersed in a rich dashi broth: it almost feels like a warm hug in culinary form. Pickled tea leaves accompany this dish: they may seem a bit unusual at first, but add a uniquely zesty tang to the rice and fish.
And tying the meal together is a delightful Takeko pastry, available in either matcha or hojicha flavours. It’s a delightful blend of chiffon sponge and luscious cream with either slow-cooked taro paste or roasted nuts: the airy sweetness of this dessert acts as a perfect counterbalance to the earthy simplicity of the ochazuke.
To conclude, whether you’ve had a mug-nificent day, or found yourself in hot water, Raku Matcha is a lovely place where one can sit down and unwind over a drink or dessert.
Indulge in some quality time here by yourself, or sit down with friends and spill some tea (not literally!).
“We want our customers to have peace of mind as they dine at Raku Matcha. We hope our calm surroundings, and our desserts, can help ease their minds from their daily struggles, and help them enter a zen space,” Wang concluded.
Raku Matcha
L1 – 03, Level 1
New Ocean World Fine Food City
15, Jalan 19/1
Seksyen 19
46300 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Business hours: 11am-10pm Daily
For more information, visit New Ocean World Fine Food City’s website here or follow Raku Matcha on Instagram.