What Foods Pair Well with Japanese Green Tea?
Green tea is great on its own but is also a drink that traditionally accompanies other Japanese dishes that can be both sweet or savoury. In addition, Japanese green tea flavors are also added to desserts and snacks to create unique and delicious combinations. Find out what popular foods pair well with Japanese green tea and keep reading to see our bonus list of green tea favorites at the end.
Japanese foods traditionally paired with green tea
Japanese green tea comes in many different varietals with characteristic notes that define the tea type. For example, the bold and intense flavor of matcha powder is well known for its traditional use in Japanese tea ceremonies or cha no yu. However, for a more casual afternoon tea, you may enjoy a simple and refreshing green tea like sencha.
The serving of matcha in a ceremonial tea gathering is also considered an art form, at a celebrated event, that usually includes serving foods to guests such as confections and a light meal or kaiseki, on more formal occasions.
You may recognize popular green tea pairings with flavors such as adzuki (red bean) pastes or mochi in many traditional and common Japanese sweets known as wagashi. In its own way, wagashi (as you will soon see) is also considered a delicious delicate art form that is almost too pretty to eat!
What flavors compliment green tea?
Japanese green tea, when served for an afternoon tea, has a vegetal, refreshing and soothing taste which is exactly why it pairs well with sweet confections. The gentle bitterness of green tea brings out the sweet flavors of the dish which create a perfect balance in desserts that would otherwise be considered too rich.
More commonly, you may now also see matcha flavored desserts arise in Western cuisines such as matcha lattes, matcha gelato and cake rolls with matcha buttercream.
You’ll notice that in these recipes, the common flavor pairing with matcha, is a vanilla base. Flavors usually too rich, sweet and dense on their own such as heavy cream, white chocolate or cream cheese are perfectly balanced with bold undertones of a green tea base. This makes something like Green Tea Tiramisu a perfect afternoon dessert.
Some notable green tea desserts include:
- Matcha macaroons
- Matcha Opera gateau
- Matcha Swiss roll
- Green tea tiramisu
- Green tea ice cream
- Matcha parfait
Wagashi
Also known as edible art, Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections. The artistic nature of Wagashi embodies Japanese culture in appearance and is often a reflection of which season it was made in.
Popular types of Wagashi include:
- Anmitsu
- Botamochi
- Daifuku
- Dango
- Dorayaki
- Hanabira mochi
- Kuzumochi
- Manju
- Mochi
- Oshiruko
- Rakugan
- Sakura mochi
- Taiyaki
- Yatsuhashi
- Yokan
Kaiseki
Cha-kaiseki refers to a light meal that is served during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, known as a chaji (full course tea function). The term originates from the meaning “warming stone” that Zen monks used in the breast pocket to heat themselves and stave off hunger, in the Wintertime. From here, the Tea Masters borrowed the term which came to mean, “a light meal”, sufficient enough to satisfy hunger.
Similiar to Wagashi, Kaiseki ornately displays culinary skills and techniques in a multi-course meal. Dishes are often presented and displayed like an art form balanced with the tastes, textures, appearance and colors of fresh seasonal ingredients. Modern Kaiseki has since evolved to include more side dishes and courses, which was originally served as one miso soup and three side dishes. Some popular modern dishes of Kaiseki include:
- Appetizer
- Sushi
- Sashimi
- Vegetables (with meat, fish or tofu)
- Soup
- Grilled dish
- Palate cleanser (vinegared dish)
- Chilled vegetables (seasonal Summer dish)
- Main dish
- Rice dish
- Seasonal pickled vegetables
- Miso soup
- Seasonal confection
Each meal is served on an individual tray to each member of the tea gathering, which is usually eaten before the ceremonial tea.
Cha-kaiseki that is served during a Japanese tea ceremony, contains fewer basic dishes known as ichiju sansai or as one miso soup and three side dishes. The side dishes of cha-kaiseki can commonly include:
- Sashimi
- Simmered foods
- Grilled dish
- Clear soup (palate cleanser)
- Sushi
- Yuto (hot brown rice broth)
- Pickled dish
Where is Kaiseki served?
You can find a Kaiseki menu in a ryokan but they are also served in smaller restaurants called ryotei.
How much does a Kaiseki meal cost?
As individual set meals, Kaiseki in popular traditional restaurants can cost between ¥5,000 to ¥40,000 per person.
Lunch options are cheaper, costing between ¥4,000 to ¥8,000. Some traditional restaurants also offer three-tier price options, known as Sho Chiku Bai.
How do you eat a Kaiseki meal?
Just like Western fine dining, there are different types of cutlery used and customary ways to eat dishes. Here are some standard items you may find at your next Kaiseki meal and what to do with them:
Shakushi
A shakushi is a small scoop used in kaiseki for scooping and serving food. It is traditionally a rice scoop and can be made from wood or black lacquer.
Shaku
A shaku is made from bamboo and are used as serving chopsticks in kaiseki, when serving dishes such as yakimono and hassun courses. Shaku are made with a node in the middle point, known as fushi.
Kayoi bon
A kayoi bon is the tray used to serve dishes in a kaiseki meal. These trays usually come together in a paired set that fit inside each other. Many are round and black lacquered, designed with a rim. Kayoi bon can also be made from Japanese cedar wood and are often used at asa-chaji or morning tea functions.
Another tray used is a handai or meal tray. The meal is served on a handai, which is made from simple wood that is only lacquered on the outer edges. The meal setup consists of porcelain or celadon bowls only and a small rest is provided for the chopsticks.
Japanese snacks
Wagashi and Kaiseki are traditionally served in tea houses or Japanese restaurants, which can be hard to come by, especially if you don’t live in Japan. Japanese snacks however, are now widely available and easily accessible these days from your local grocery store or oriental mart. Let’s take a look at which popular Japanese snacks pair well with Japanese green tea.
1. Kit Kat Matcha Tiramisu Flavor
Japan is well known for its range of unique and wonderful flavored Kit Kats. Adding to its collection of Japanese flavors, is none other than Matcha and Deep Matcha, but there’s a new player in town to bring you flavours of a fusion between matcha and tiramisu.
Unlike the natural bitterness of plain matcha tea, the green tea flavor in this Kit Kat is gently balanced well with the creaminess and slightly subtle savory mascarpone cheese perfectly.
2. Kit Kat Hojicha Roasted Tea
Another notable Japanese green tea flavor is Hojicha in Kit Kat form. Just like the matcha flavor, white chocolate is infused with Hojicha flavor with its gentle characteristic nutty and roasted flavors.
3. Hello Panda Matcha Flavor
A popular and well-known snack is the Hello Panda Matcha cream filled biscuits. You may recognise its other popular flavors being strawberry, vanilla and chocolate.
Just be aware that the Matcha flavored variety does come in two different biscuit flavors: chocolate or matcha. The chocolate biscuit shell with Matcha filling does make the tastier pair if you’re able to get the option.
4. Mochi Green Tea Ice cream
Enjoy a twist from your normal ice cream and experience green tea ice cream wrapped in a smooth and chewy layer of delicious Japanese mochi.
5. Meiji Almond Chocolate (Matcha)
The classic combination of chocolate and almond is met with the delicious edition of matcha flavor. The creamy taste and sweetness of white chocolate blends well with the bitterness of matcha finished off with the nuttiness of toasted almond.
6. ITO Seika Languly Matcha Green Tea Sandwich Biscuits
When it comes to green tea flavored biscuits, there are many different flavor and texture combinations. However, one that is hands down a winner, is the clever combination of a French biscuit favorite sandwiched together with the delightfully sweet cream filling made with matcha green tea from Uji.
What makes this combination ultimately the best green tea biscuit? There’s no doubt that the bitterness of matcha compliments the sweet flavors of creamy notes like vanilla, butter and white chocolate. Fortunately, all these flavors are found in Languly Matcha Green Tea Sandwich Biscuits.
The iconic French buttery cookies simply melt in your mouth and are met with the smooth creaminess of a lightly whipped matcha cream to match. The sweet, thin and crunchy biscuits together with the matcha cream are the perfect pair and is sure to satisfy any biscuit lover.
7. Fujiya LOOK2 Matcha Collection
Are you a confirmed green tea lover? With so many varieties of green tea candy, it’s hard to find just the right one at snack time. That’s where Fujiya LOOK2 Matcha Collection has created three of the best matcha flavor combos in one pack.
The collection features matcha flavored chocolates in three intensities: Latte, Macchiato and Dark. But don’t be fooled by their “coffee” names, this delicious treat contains no coffee, only matcha for that green tea lover:
Matcha Latte
The soft subtly of matcha with a distinctive fragrance with a rich milky taste.
Matcha Macchiato
Milk and matcha are perfectly balanced together, just like a carefully brewed cup.
Matcha Dark
Taste the deep umami flavors of matcha and enjoy the pleasant astringent tastes with the richness and intensity of a freshly brewed cup of warm matcha tea.
8. Meiji Melty Kiss Matcha
You may already be familiar with the Meiji Melty Kiss collection of various flavors like strawberry and chocolate but did you know they also have green tea? The popular favorite is back with its familiar melt-in-your-mouth sensation blocks of green tea flavored ganache, decorated with a generous serving of powdered cocoa.
Green tea favorites
Following my travels to different Cities, these are my top 5 personal favorite Japanese green tea treats deserving an honorable mention and where to find them.
1. Kyoto Matcha Parfait
If you are ever in Gion, Kyoto be sure to check out the collection of matcha parfait located in tea shops, tea houses and local cafes along the street of Gionmachiminamigawa. The delicious combinations of flavors are specifically chosen to compliment green tea and include traditional Japanese confectionary and French dessert classics.
Some flavors you might find in matcha parfait variants include: fresh whipped cream, matcha macarons, adzuki beans, chiffon cake, custard, mochi, red bean paste, boba, gold leaf, matcha ice cream, matcha jelly, cookies, cheesecake, seasonal fruit and Yatsuhasi.
Where to go: Gion Tamegiro Gion Restaurant
Address: Japan, 〒605-0074 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Minamigawa, 576 桜花ビル2F
2. Matcha Opera Gateau
Just like a matcha tiramisu, the ingredients in a matcha opera gateau deliciously compliments the bitterness of green tea but does not overpower the accompanying flavors of whipped buttercream, almond sponge and dark chocolate ganache. You can find this adorable little cafe along one of the main strips of Como in Perth, Western Australia.
Where to go: Little Matcha Girl
Address: 4/10 Preston Street, Como PERTH Western Australia, Australia
3. Matcha Ice Cream
No one does the creaminess and full flavor tastes of Japanese green tea ice creams quite like they do in Hokkaido. Already famous for their incredibly creamy and milky soft serve ice creams, the same great taste from Hokkaido is brought to lucky locals in Singapore to experience.
On all of my trips to Singapore, I never pass up the chance to head to Azubu Sabo Hokkaido Ice Cream which is conveniently situated in popular outlets including Clarke Quay Central and Takashimaya on Orchard Road.
The soft, smooth and flavorful taste of what you come to expect from a traditional gelato is met with the familiar bitter flavor of matcha. The best thing is there are other Japanese green tea flavors to try, including: genmaicha, hojicha, dark matcha, milk matcha and Kinako matcha. There are also different green tea flavor intensities (green tea #1, green tea #2) and matching green tea profiles such as green tea red bean.
Single or double flavor options are available – personally, I always go for the double flavor option, picking flavors that compliment matcha perfectly. Here are some tried and tested flavor combinations, that you’re guaranteed to absolutely love: matcha/coffee, matcha/black sesame, green tea/hokkaido milk, matcha/dark chocolate, green tea/imperial tea, hojicha/banana chocolate and green tea red bean/hokkaido milk.
Where to go: Azabu Sabo Clarke Quay Singapore
Address: 6 01-46 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059817
4. Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream
Also providing a unique and delicious range of flavors is Japanese soft serve ice cream. You get the same familiar soft and smooth textures you would expect from quality ice cream but with an extra delicate creaminess that only soft serve ice creams deliver.
The winner with Japanese soft serve ice creams is the amount of room you have to play with trying out different flavours and ingredients that compliment each other. One such place offering up this delicious treat is Whisk Creamery, located in two outlets in Perth, Western Australia.
New creations are added to their food menu once in a while but a few of my solid favorites are from the matcha collection which can be served in a cup, matcha waffle cone, taiyaki or even a cronut! Well paired toppings for matcha soft serve orders include strawberry mochi, red bean, chocolate fudge and pistachio nuts.
Where to go: Whisk Creamery
Address: 151 Rokeby Road, Subiaco PERTH Western Australia, Australia
5. Beard Papa's Green Tea Cream Puff
This one’s an oldie but a goodie! Beard Papa has been around since 1999 with their classic custard-filled cream puffs. A great green tea pairing I love is their chocolate topped puff with a green tea custard filling.
Where to go: Beard Papa’s Orchard Road
Address: 68 Orchard Rd, Plaza Singapura, #B2-27 to 28, Singapore 238839
Do you have a favorite Japanese green tea combination? Let us know!