NYC: Matcha Cafe Maiko in Chinatown

(Disclaimer: I was invited to try some of the desserts at Matcha Cafe Maiko, but as always, opinions are my own.)

Matcha Cafe Maiko is a cafe chain specializing in matcha-based treats. Tina and I went to try the branch in Chinatown NYC, which is tiny, but cute. The matcha is sourced straight from Japan, and the menu includes matcha soft serve, desserts, as well as a variety of matcha-infused drinks.

Tina and I tried a few different things from the menu. First up was the matcha banana pudding, which turned out to be our favorite. The combination of matcha and banana was unexpectedly delicious. It was smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet, and the serving was more than big enough for two persons to share.

Next, we had the Milo soft serve. Is it just me, or are Milo desserts popping up everywhere these days? The soft serve itself was okay, but it didn’t have much of a chocolate flavor, and wasn’t really for me. If you’re a Milo fan, you might want to try it for yourself, but personally, I’d stick with the matcha options.

We also had the strawberry matcha latte, which was delicious. Matcha and strawberry are such a great mix You could choose your preferred sweetness level, and I went with “less sweet,” which was just right for me.

If you’re visiting Matcha Cafe Maiko, I’d definitely recommend going for the matcha-based desserts, because that’s where Maiko really shines.

The seating is very limited and the cafe is tiny, so Maiko is best suited for days with nice weather so you can bring your treat outside.

The matcha is of a really good quality, so I’d recommend you go with less sugar to be able to fully appreciate the flavor of the matcha.

Matcha Cafe Maiko, 132 Bowery, New York, NY 10013