A few months ago, Matcha Café Maiko opened a location in Westlake Center next to the Seattle Monorail. Steven Ducky, also known as Seattle Foodie Adventure, invited a group of us to a tasting to try all the matcha goodness! Tons of people were there including my Seattle Foodie Podcast co-host Nelson Lau.

Matcha Café Maiko uses matcha imported from Kyoto’s Harima Garden. Tea has been grown in Uji, Kyoto for over 500 years. The smell of the matcha is earthy and the taste is rich.

By far, the most Instagrammable item off the menu is the Golden Shogun matcha soft serve topped with glimmering gold. No, I didn’t get it. Instead, I got matcha vanilla mix soft serve. It was a generous portion and the cones are made fresh daily. I liked the mild vanilla paired with the bolder matcha flavor. I’d get it again!

I’m a fan of hojicha which is roasted and turns brown, instead of the signature green color of matcha. The flavor has less bite and I love it! I had the Kokuto Hojicha Cream. They make a kokuto (brown sugar) jelly that can be added to drinks. It’s soft and sweet and reminds me of coffee jelly at boba tea shops.

I also tried the matcha panna cotta. It was light and refreshing. They brought out a few different types but I liked the plain matcha with whipped cream, drizzled with matcha syrup.

The menu is evolving at this location. They also have macarons that I saw but didn’t try that day. I’m looking forward to trying some of their epic bubble waffle creations and taiyaki!

Seattle can’t have enough matcha and Matcha Café Maiko is a great addition to the area. I’m grateful to be invited to the tasting and for getting to try so many treats! Can’t wait to visit again!