Cover Ukiyo serves hojicha-flavoured waffles (Photo: Ukiyo)
Ukiyo serves hojicha-flavoured waffles (Photo: Ukiyo)
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Discover cold brews, cakes, ice cream and more infused with the toasty notes of hojicha
While matcha dominates the wellness scene with its health benefits and bold umami, hojicha is quietly becoming the cult favourite in Hong Kong. Known for its nutty notes, toasty aroma and naturally less-bitter flavour profile, this roasted Japanese tea offers an unmatched soothing quality. It’s an ingredient that enhances rather than overpowers.
Across Hong Kong, hojicha has made its way into an array of irresistible drinks and desserts. From refreshing cold brews and creamy soft serve to delicate layered cakes, local cafes and dessert shops are putting a spotlight on this understated tea. Read on for the best places to get your next hojicha fix in the city.
See also: The best places for lunch in Central
Matchali
Above Hojicha cold brew makes for a comforting summer drink
Hojicha cold brew makes for a comforting summer drink
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Hojicha tends to feature on beverage lists as a latte, but Matchali does something different. While the matcha parlour might be better known for its un-roasted tea creations, its hojicha items are equally appealing. You can't go wrong with a straightforward hojicha latte, but for summer months, consider giving the apple hojicha cold brew a try. This drink offers a spiced and iced version of the roasted tea, where its unique aroma is enhanced with refreshing notes of apple and mint.
Matchali
Available at locations across Hong Kong
Tell Camellia
Above The same great taste of an Espresso Martini with half the caffeine
The same great taste of an Espresso Martini with half the caffeine
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Herbal and tea infusions are finding their way into Hong Kong's cocktail bars. One tea-forward lounge in Central is serving a drink that offers all the layered richness of an Espresso Martini but with a hojicha base instead. Tell Camellia's aptly-named Teaspresso Martini is a smooth blend of hojicha and melted cacao, topped with vodka and finished with a sprinkle of pistachio dust. The result is a versatile tipple that feels appropriate for any occasion.
Tell Camellia
Address: Shop 2, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
Nana's Green Tea
Above Don’t skip out on the hojicha on your next visit to Nana’s Green Tea
Don’t skip out on the hojicha on your next visit to Nana’s Green Tea
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This Japanese matcha dessert brand offers a range of hojicha-flavoured items that deserve the same hype, from unfussy hojicha lattes to elaborate, multi-layered parfaits. A stand out is the hojicha nama chocolate parfait, where velvety nama (raw) chocolate adds depth to the toasty aroma of hojicha-infused soft serve, balanced with tart mixed berry jam. Available at all of Nana's Green Tea's locations in town, this is a handy cure for spontaneous hojicha cravings.
Nana’s Green Tea
Available at locations across Hong Kong
Ukiyo
Above A Tsim Sha Tsui café that serves up hojicha indulgence on a plate
A Tsim Sha Tsui café that serves up hojicha indulgence on a plate
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Sitting atop K11 Musea, Ukiyo brings Japanese café culture to local diners. The menu reflects a trendy yet familiar approach to usual café fare, while the robust beverage list encourages slower living with drinks designed to be savoured thoughtfully. A popular sweet treat is the hojicha mochi waffle, where aromatic hojicha infuses the batter and soft mochi adds a playful texture. The treat is drizzled with genmaicha (brown rice tea) sauce for extra richness and paired with light and subtle tofu ice cream.
Ukiyo
Address: Shop 610, 6/F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tealosophy Tea Bar
Above Get your hojicha fix at Tealosophy
Get your hojicha fix at Tealosophy
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Tealosophy has been quietly serving tea lovers in Macau and Hong Kong since 2014. Originating as a humble concept and online store in our neighbouring city, Tealosophy now brings Japanese and Chinese tea cultures to Hong Kong diners through its Central bar. Beyond hand-whisked matcha, hand-dripped teas and workshops that delve deep into oriental tea culture, Tealosopy also serves a duo of refreshing ice cream flavours: matcha and hojicha. While both satisfy with aromatic tea-infusions and silky-smooth creaminess, the hojicha ice cream stands out as one of the best in Hong Kong.
Tealosophy Tea Bar
Address: G/F, 38 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
Small Good Bakery
Above This fragrant hojicha cheesecake works as a dessert or snack
This fragrant hojicha cheesecake works as a dessert or snack
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Hojicha is known for its nuttiness, smoky aroma and caramel-like notes, which is why it pairs exceptionally well with Basque burnt cheesecakes. Small Good Bakery’s version uses premium Wakatake hojicha powder from Uji, Kyoto, infusing each bite of this Basque dessert with lingering aroma. We suggest pairing this indulgent treat with a pot of warm hojicha tea, which complements the cheesecake’s toasted notes while cutting through its richness. Order online for city-wide delivery.
Shari Shari Kakigori House
Above Let this icy treat offer you reprieve from Hong Kong’s heat
Let this icy treat offer you reprieve from Hong Kong’s heat
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Nothing cools you down in Hong Kong’s sweltering summer faster than shaved ice, and here’s a hojicha-flavoured creation worth trying. Loved for its fluffy kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), Shari Shari’s hojicha and matcha iced treat serves up the best of both worlds in a glass bowl. Aromatic hojicha and matcha syrup seep through each layer of your shaved ice tower, shiratama mochi adds a chewy contrast to the soft ice, and whipped matcha foam elegantly tops off this heat-extinguishing dessert.
Shari Shari Kakigori House
Available at locations across Hong Kong
Cordis Hong Kong
Above This French dessert is transformed with the distinct smokiness of hojicha
This French dessert is transformed with the distinct smokiness of hojicha
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Cordis’ hojicha mochi mille-feuille perfectly demonstrates the versatility of the Japanese roasted green tea. Hojicha is firmly present in custard cream form, cutting through the buttery layers of puff pastry with a graceful lightness that transforms the classic French dessert into something more suited to local palates. Tender mochi adds a familiar texture, while vanilla white chocolate cream completes the dessert with subtle, not-too-sweetness. Order online for city-wide delivery or pick-up from Cordis’ hotel lobby.
Cordis Hong Kong
Address: 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Bubble Bu Cakery
Above Chewy mochi adds to Bubble Bu’s hojicha semi-baked cheese tart
Chewy mochi adds to Bubble Bu’s hojicha semi-baked cheese tart
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The comforting aroma of hojicha pervades Bubble Bu Cakery’s semi-baked cheese tart, which encases glutinous mochi and gooey cream cheese filling in a buttery cookie crust. Toppings sometimes distract rather than improve the flavour profile of a dessert, but Bubble Bu Cakery’s thoughtful use of hojicha nama chocolate keeps things simple while adding a welcome nutty flavour to the overall tasting experience. Order online for city-wide delivery.
Formerly a lifestyle editor, Celia is now an Associate Dining Editor at Tatler Hong Kong, where she covers local dining stories with a strong sense of narrative and cultural context. She focuses on the people, places and moments shaping the city’s food scene, bringing a storytelling-led approach to restaurant features, chef profiles and on-the-ground coverage.
