International brand Gozen Kamicha has 16 locations in Taiwan, one in China and as of June, one in Chandler.
This Taiwan-based chain will have you seeing green. The company specializes in matcha and has a unique menu that goes far beyond lattes.
The Chandler location popped up on Alma School Road, just north of Warner Road, and is currently the sole inhabitant of a shopping center under heavy construction. But despite its lack of neighbors, the new cafe manages to fill the parking lot by itself.
Inside, the small cafe is bright and modern, with light wood accents and touches of green. Menu boards above the counter display the options. Once ready, customers are instructed to place their orders via a large touch-screen tablet.
The new spot opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. most nights (8:30 p.m. on Sundays), meaning it's not a spot to grab your morning beverage. Instead, it's somewhere to visit for an afternoon pick-me-up or an after-dinner treat.
On a recent evening visit, one couple flirted over lattes in the front window, a family brought their kids by for soft serve and a group of girlfriends sipped teas after a workout class.
One thing that all of the customers had in common? A love of matcha.
What's on the menu?
Matcha is having a major moment, with the bright green substance taking over coffee shops and TikTok feeds at warp speed. More customers are opting for the trendy treat thanks to its supposed health benefits and photogenic nature. Its popularity has exploded so much in the last few years that threats of a matcha shortage made headlines.The ancient Japanese tradition has now become a Western phenomenon and part of many Americans' daily ritual. But how deep does the obsession go? Spots like Gozen Kamicha are ready to expand matcha fans' horizons beyond their coffee shop favorites.
For those looking to take small steps into the wide world of matcha, start with the matcha soft serve ice cream. Made with ceremonial-grade Uji matcha from Japan, the ice cream is subtly sweet and full of earthy, matcha flavor. It's refreshing and creamy, and goes down a treat during these hot summer days.
For matcha fans looking to really expand their knowledge and tastes, try the Warabimochi Sundae. This unique dessert starts with a layer of dark green matcha jelly, topped with a spoonful of red beans. Next, there's a layer of creamy white tofu pudding and then sweet, crunchy puffed wheat kernels. A big swirl of matcha soft serve joins the party, which is finally adorned with two white mochi balls and tender, wobbly Kyoto Warabimochi.
The strongest flavor of the subtle-tasting bunch is the matcha soft serve, followed by the sweetness of the puffed wheat. The jelly, pudding, beans and mochi varieties add different textures to the mix. Kyoto Warabimochi is a popular Japanese sweet made from braken starch, water and sugar that forms a loose jelly. At Gozen Kamicha, it's then rolled in bright green matcha powder to continue the theme. The bite-sized pieces melt in your mouth as this unique treat is much softer than traditional rice-based mochi.
Along with all of the matcha options, Gozen Kamicha offers an additional rotating soft serve flavor, plus black tea and coffee drinks.
Tirion Boan
For those who prefer to drink their matcha, there are plenty of options as well. Start by choosing your tea base, either 100% Kyoto Uji Matcha or go premium, with double the matcha powder. Then pick sweetened or unsweetened. Stop there, or add a topping. Choose from options including tofu pudding, boba, red beans, soybean powder, roasted sesame powder or strawberry puree.
Want to make your own matcha at home? The cafe also sells bags of the green powder to go.
However you like your matcha, or whether you are ready to try something new, this new Chandler spot is ready with plenty of green to go around.
