6 Hojicha Treats to Try on O‘ahu

Matcha gets all the glory these days, so I’m here to show love for hojicha, or roasted green tea. For this roundup, I opted for treats that go beyond simple hojicha—not that there’s anything wrong with it—to spotlight more variety. Shoutout to my favorite strawberry hojicha latte at Cooke Street Market and hojicha frappé and seasonal soft serve (served through September) at Matcha Café Maiko. Here are other hojicha treats worth checking out.

SEE ALSO: Now that Mango Season Is Finally Here, Try These 8 Mango Treats Before Summer Ends

Photo: Andrea Lee

Chillest Shave Ice

Hojicha shave ice, $8 (condensed milk snow cap $1 more)

Chillest is the only place I know of that offers hojicha shave ice, and pairing it with the housemade strawberry milk is peak—a combo that keeps me from trying other flavors. The roasted flavor of the hojicha, strong but not bitter, melds perfectly with the natural sweetness and creaminess of the strawberry milk. The freshly shaved snow melts quickly, so scoop fast, then slurp up the leftover syrup soup with a straw.

Cash only, 3408 Waialae Ave., Kaimukī, @chillestshaveice

Photo: Andrea Lee

Cooke Street Market

Hojicha cheesecake, $14

Uncle’s Ice Cream, the North Shore brand known for its ice cream sandwiches, is making this cheesecake exclusively for Cooke Street Market til the end of September. Dense and creamy, the burnt cheesecake is infused with hojicha and paired with your choice of CSM’s housemade strawberry purée or coffee jelly (you can purchase the other topping for $1.50 extra). The roasty hojicha flavor is milder than I’d prefer, though I do like the burnt exterior. The tangy strawberry purée cuts through the creaminess; the strong coffee jelly offers a nice bitter contrast to the sweetness. Don’t underestimate the size; the cake is thick and filling enough to share. If you don’t make it there in September, CSM’s strawberry hojicha latte ($8.50) is also a worthy sweet treat.

725 Kapiolani Blvd., C122, Kaka‘ako, csmhawaii.com, @cookestreetmarket

SEE ALSO: This Kaka‘ako Matcha Shop Is a Must-Try Poke and Plate Lunch Spot

Photo: Andrea Lee

Ooh You

Misugaru hojicha latte, $10

Misugaru is a Korean roasted grain powder that’s mixed with water or milk for a wholesome drink. Pop-up drink business Ooh You mixes it in a hojicha latte with oat milk, maple syrup and misugaru foam, promising a “savory, earthy” flavor. My mom used to give me misugaru when I was a kid, so the taste is kind of nostalgic. It goes well with the nutty hojicha, and I enjoy the not-too-sweet, homey combination. Ask for extra sweetener if you like.

Pop-ups, oohyou.co

Kūlolo crunch hojicha latte, left, and banana lumpia hojicha latte. Photo: Andrea Lee

Pua Blooms

Kūlolo crunch hojicha latte, $11
Banana lumpia hojicha latte, $11

This popular mobile matcha bar offers drinks with a choice of hojicha or matcha. The Kūlolo Crunch delivers on its name with a generous sprinkling of toffee and a hojicha flavor that’s strong but a bit sweet for my taste. My boyfriend picks the Banana Lumpia and likes it, though for me the banana overpowers the hojicha, making it more like a banana shake with a little crunch from the turón. The truck setup is super cute, the flavors are unique and there’s no extra charge for oat or almond milk. I can see why Pua Blooms has a line before opening.

Next pop-up on Sept. 26 at Mālama Market at Ala Moana Center, puathetruck.com, @puablooms

Photo: Andrea Lee

Sage Creamery

Hojicha latte with pīkake syrup, $8

Sage Creamery already makes a beautiful hojicha latte, but adding the house-made pīkake syrup (no extra charge) elevates it with a floral finish. Not too sweet, yet satisfying and perfectly balanced.

91-3575 Kauluakoko St., #3005, ‘Ewa Beach, sagecreamery.com, @sagecreamery

SEE ALSO: All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.