The TikTok trendy matcha banana pudding. Photo: Haus Coffee
Cover The TikTok trendy matcha banana pudding. Photo: Haus Coffee
The TikTok trendy matcha banana pudding. Photo: Haus Coffee

Earthy, elegant matcha meets creamy banana pudding in a mashup that’s part nostalgia, part novelty—and all over social media. Here’s how the matcha banana pudding trend started, why it works, and where to try it in Singapore

Matcha banana pudding might sound like a culinary oddity at first—an East-meets-West mashup of earthy Japanese green tea and the creamy, retro indulgence of classic American banana pudding. But spend a little time with it, and it starts to make perfect sense. The matcha brings an elegant bitterness, grounding the dessert with depth and restraint. The banana pudding, on the other hand, softens the blow with its sweet and nostalgic flavour. 

But this is more than just a quirky fusion or fleeting food trend. The popularity of matcha banana pudding says something about the boundary-blurring way we eat today that’s steeped in both memory and migration. 

Think of it as the next chapter in a pattern we’ve already seen—like the wildly popular strawberry matcha latte, now a menu mainstay in cafes from Tokyo to Tiong Bahru.

So why is matcha having such a moment?

Its growth has been nothing short of explosive—enough to trigger a global shortage, concerns about the immense pressure placed on matcha farmers and debates about the risk of over-commercialisation. Some chalk it up to TikTok virality or the rise of artisanal café culture. Others see it as part of a larger pattern: the global appetite for Eastern ingredients, often reframed through a Western lens.

In case you missed it: Food from the heart: How ferments, matcha, and Korean liquor have taken the world by storm

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The earthiness of matcha in matcha banana pudding makes it a surprising combination of flavours. Photo: Charlotte May/Pexels
Above The earthiness of matcha in matcha banana pudding makes it a surprising combination of flavours. Photo: Charlotte May/Pexels
The earthiness of matcha in matcha banana pudding makes it a surprising combination of flavours. Photo: Charlotte May/Pexels

A brief history of matcha

Though now synonymous with Japanese culture, matcha's story begins in China during the Tang dynasty (7th-10th century AD). There, tea was processed into bricks, ground to powder, and mixed with hot water—often with salt added. During the Song dynasty, this powdered tea preparation became more refined, but it was Japan that elevated matcha to cultural prominence.

Zen monk Eisai brought back tea seeds and rituals from China, introducing not just the drink but a philosophy of a deliberate, meditative approach to preparation. He penned the Kissa Yōjōki in 1211, a text that reads like a wellness guide centuries ahead of its time. It extolled the virtues of tea for health, mental clarity, and longevity. Matcha, in his view, wasn’t just a drink but medicine for the body and mind.

Fast forward hundreds of years later and we're now incorporating this ancient tradition into layered desserts, iced drinks, and viral social media sensations.

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Aside from matcha banana pudding, matcha is now incorporated into desserts and drinks. Photo: Viridiana Rivera/Pexels
Above Aside from matcha banana pudding, matcha is now incorporated into desserts and drinks. Photo: Viridiana Rivera/Pexels
Aside from matcha banana pudding, matcha is now incorporated into desserts and drinks. Photo: Viridiana Rivera/Pexels

The explosion of matcha

While matcha had been a cornerstone of Japanese culture for centuries, its journey to international fame gained momentum during Japan's Meiji era (1868-1912) as the country increased its foreign interactions. However, the truly explosive surge in global popularity, particularly in Western countries like the United States, Europe, and Australia, is a more recent phenomenon.

The modern matcha boom didn’t come out of nowhere. Its rise has been propelled by a swirl of factors, but chief among them is the global fixation on wellness. With its high antioxidant content, reputation for providing a calmer, more sustained energy boost (thanks to L-theanine), and supposed powers to rev up metabolism and dial down stress, matcha has been cast in a soft green glow of health.

This "health halo" has made matcha a staple among the wellness crowd—epitomised by Gwyneth Paltrow, who helped catapult it into Western consciousness with a now-iconic 2015 post of herself holding a matcha latte.

Today, matcha has long since transcended its traditional roots, emerging as a versatile ingredient in everything from lattes and ice creams to doughnuts—and even skincare. Reflecting this surge in demand, the global matcha market is projected to reach US$4.53 billion by 2025, according to market intelligence organisation Straits Research.

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Magnolia bakery offers a wide range of matcha-infused products, including matcha banana pudding. Photo: Magnolia Bakery
Above Magnolia bakery offers a wide range of matcha-infused products, including matcha banana pudding. Photo: Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia bakery offers a wide range of matcha-infused products, including matcha banana pudding. Photo: Magnolia Bakery

A Slice of Americana

While matcha traces its roots to centuries-old ritual, banana pudding’s beginnings are more modest—but equally rich in history. First appearing in Good Housekeeping in 1888, the dessert was inspired by English trifles and born at a time when bananas were still considered exotic. Its defining twist came when home cooks swapped sponge cake for vanilla wafers, a move later cemented by Nabisco’s marketing in the 1940s. Over time, banana pudding evolved from novelty to cultural staple, especially within Black American communities, where it remains a beloved fixture at gatherings and celebrations.

As for the matcha banana pudding trend—whether layered in a dessert cup or poured over ice as a latte—it’s impossible to ignore the influence of Magnolia Bakery’s cult-favourite banana pudding. Thick with vanilla wafers and slices of banana, its now-iconic version has inspired countless reinterpretations, including an iteration where it’s served over iced matcha for a sweet-meets-earthy twist.

Here’s where you can find iterations of the matcha banana pudding in Singapore.

Haus Coffee

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The matcha banana pudding from Haus Coffee. Photo: Haus Coffee
Above The matcha banana pudding from Haus Coffee. Photo: Instagram / @hauscoffee
The matcha banana pudding from Haus Coffee. Photo: Haus Coffee

Arguably the café that sparked Singapore’s obsession, Haus Coffee’s Banana Pudding Matcha Latte is a decadent layering of vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and crushed Biscoff atop an iced matcha latte. It’s indulgent without being cloying, with just enough bitterness from the matcha to cut through the creaminess. The drink’s TikTok fame speaks for itself but in person, it’s the texture and balance that win you over. For purists, the cafe also serves banana pudding on its own, no matcha required. Bonus points for visiting: it’s located within Rookies and Haus Concept Store, a multi-label concept store also hawking vintage goods within Golden Mile Tower.

Haus Coffee
Address: 6001 Beach Rd, Golden Mile Tower # 01-57 S(199589)

Habit

At Habit, a salad and matcha bar, the Banana Bread Matcha offers a playful twist on the matcha banana pudding trend. Habit’s rendition features their signature iced matcha latte topped with a generous scoop of freshly made and creamy banana pudding and finished with a dusting of Biscoff crumbs. It’s available in limited batches at its One Holland Village location daily, so early visits are recommended.

Habit
Address: 7 Holland Village Way, #01-53 One, S(275748)


Pretty Good Muffins

Tucked away on the second floor of Hong Lim Complex, Pretty Good Muffins has quickly gained a cult following (the evidence is in the long queues documented on social media) for its wallet-friendly bakes and inventive drinks. Sure, it serves pretty good muffins—but the matcha banana pudding isn’t far behind. Its rendition combines a smooth, ceremonial-grade matcha latte with a scoop of house-made banana pudding, layered with banana slices and crushed Japanese biscuits. The result is a dessert-drink hybrid with a near cake-like texture, and a surprisingly complex flavour for the price point. It’s no wonder this humble stall has become a TikTok darling.

Pretty Good Muffins
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #02-57B, S(050531)

SugarBelly

Known for its self-serve matcha on tap, SugarBelly puts a playful spin on the matcha banana pudding trend. The twist? It’s all-you-can-fill. Load up your cup with as much matcha latte and banana pudding as you like. It’s a clever, unexpected concept—especially from 22-year-old founder Alexan Tang, who first launched SugarBelly as a specialty mochi donut shop that offers both sweet and savoury flavours. As it’s not a permanent menu item, keep an eye on SugarBelly’s Instagram for updates on when it makes a comeback.

SugarBelly
Address: Jewel Changi Airport, B2-256, 78 Airport Boulevard, S(819666)

Sweedy Pattisserie

Established in 2019, Sweedy Patisserie built its name on decadent durian cakes and colourful fatcarons (what it dubs fat macarons) crafted with a commitment to freshness, flavour, and that picture-perfect finish. Its spin on the matcha banana pudding follows the same philosophy. An iced matcha latte is topped with whipped banana pudding, vanilla custard, banana slices, and Biscoff crumbs. As with its bakes, balance is everything. Give it a good mix for the full effect.

Sweedy Pattisserie
Hougang Rivercourt Mall, 01-32 (S)530377

Creamie Sippies

Creamie Sippies is a specialty café in Bukit Merah, home to what it claims is Singapore’s first-ever matcha mill, and known for its innovative “dessert in a cup” concept. Its version of the matcha banana pudding has gained viral attention, blending real bananas with its signature ceremonial-grade Uji matcha to create a luxuriously smooth and creamy treat. This indulgent beverage is crafted without gelatine or instant mixes, ensuring a halal-friendly option that doesn't compromise on taste. The result is a thick, velvety drink that balances the natural sweetness of banana pudding with the earthy notes of premium matcha. As this is a limited-time offering, be sure to check its Instagram page for updates on its availability.

Creamie Sippies
7 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-4432, (S)150007
 
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Nafeesa Saini
Features Editor, Tatler Singapore
Tatler Asia

Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.

Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.

Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.