Two Must-Try Matcha Newcomers in Waikīkī
Maruwu Seicha and As You Like arrived last fall, pairing matcha lattes with soft serve and craft musubi.
Matcha, in Japan the stuff of dessert flavorings and the formalized ritual of tea ceremony, surges on as the trendiest drink in Honolulu nei. While matcha lattes are at virtually every café, in Waikīkī, two specialists emerged last fall.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
On the western edge, Maruwu Seicha offers matcha and hojicha drinks, soft serve and its signature Ube Matcha Latte. The San Francisco-based chain has five locations and plans more, including one in Kapolei’s Don Don Donki and another in Mō‘ili‘ili this summer.
260 Beach Walk, Waikīkī, maruwuseicha.us, @maruwuseichausa
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
You’ll find As You Like’s hand-whisked matcha drinks and craft onigirazu musubi in the lobby of Hotel Renew. It’s sister to an identically named matcha café in Brooklyn, New York, both owned by Yuji Haraguchi, known locally for high-end sushi creations. Drinks range from minimalist matcha, sweetened with just 5 grams of honey, to matcha mango and banana chocolate cold brew. Fillings for the onigirazu include Spam, pastrami and barbecue toro.
129 Paoakalani Ave., Waikīkī, @asyoulikewaikiki
SEE ALSO: All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu
Mari Taketa is the dining editor of HONOLULU Magazine and editor of Frolic Hawai‘i.
