SINGAPORE – Despite recent news of a global matcha shortage, the thirst for the popular Japanese powdered green tea is going strong. 

In the past year, the top three matcha items ordered on Grab Singapore’s GrabFood platform were drinks – matcha latte, matcha frappuccino and Uji matcha. Matcha ice cream, mochi and cakes also made its top 10 list.

The Uji area in Kyoto is known for its high-quality tea, regarded as one of the best in Japan.

Matcha lattes are now menu mainstays in most cafes, not just at those that specialise in matcha, like the popular Matchaya, Tsujiri and Hvala chains. 

No longer limited to just being consumed as a beverage, matcha powder – with its slightly bitter notes – is liberally lending itself to savoury dishes here as well, alongside a slew of seasonal items and new dessert offerings. 

Think matcha toast, soba and doughnuts in earthy green tones. More unusual items on GrabFood include matcha tori paitan ramen (from $12.90) by Takagi Ramen chain, matcha egglet ($4.90) by bubble tea chain Playmade and fried banana fritters topped with cheese and matcha chocolate ($8.10) by snack chain Markozar.

At pan-Asian restaurant Equatorial in Duxton Road, chef and co-owner Caleb Ang, 35, takes things a step further with a bold savoury matcha curry grilled masala chicken ($28).

Calling matcha a “lifestyle”, he says: “From beverages to pastries and ice creams to desserts, matcha has been fully integrated into our everyday food and beverage (F&B) scene.

“If you run a Japanese-inspired F&B concept in Singapore, it’s almost expected that matcha, yuzu or both will be on the menu. It’s as essential as salmon sashimi for Singaporeans.” 

Mad about matcha? Here are six creations to try.

Matcha curry grilled masala chicken 

Where: Equatorial, 02-01, 60A Duxton Road; open: 5.30 to 11pm (Thursdays to Mondays), closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 
Info: Call 8960-6202 or go to @equatorial_sg on Instagram

The name of this dish is enough to raise eyebrows. Fortunately, it tastes better than it sounds. 

First inspired by butter chicken, Equatorial’s chef Caleb Ang marinated the chicken leg in tandoori masala spices. 

Japanese curry came to mind when he wanted to rethink the butter chicken sauce, but it did not have the most appealing visual contrast, he says. 

What sparked the matcha pairing was a friend – who owns a matcha chain – telling him about matcha curry, a dish served in Uji, Japan. 

It took several trials to fine-tune the balance of flavours in the rich curry, which is made with high-grade ceremonial matcha.

For the dish ($28), which was officially launched in February, the chicken leg gets a good sear on the binchotan grill, then is topped with the curry and yogurt raita.

Matcha toast

Where: SuuKee Coffee, B1-13 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road; open: 9am to 6pm daily 
Info: @suukeecoffeesg on Instagram 

Known for its popular orh nee (yam paste) toast, home-grown SuuKee Coffee chain has upped its game with a Matcha Toast Series, launched on March 2 in line with the opening of its outlet at Scotts Square. 

High-quality matcha powder is used to make the matcha spread in-house, says Ms Foo Sue Huey, its director and founder. 

Prices start at $4.20 for two pieces of crunchy matcha toast, or from $8.40 for a set with a 350ml hot drink and two soft-boiled eggs. 

Other options are the popular matcha butter toast (from $4.70) and matcha orh nee toast (from $5.70), alongside the matcha red bean toast (from $5.60).

The series is exclusive to the Scotts Square outlet, but Ms Foo is looking to offer it at her outlets at Millenia Walk and one-north MRT station soon. She is also experimenting with new ways to add matcha to her menu.

Matcha Mizu cake

Where: Ardor, 01-26 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street; open: 11am to 5pm daily (pick-up only)
Info: ardor.sg 

Launched in March, home-grown Ardor patisserie’s Matcha Mizu ($68 for a seven-inch cake) is probably the most elegant matcha cake on the market. 

A lush Kyoto matcha mousse envelops a layer of black sesame-infused cream cheese and light almond sponge that sits on a base of crisp matcha feuilletine. The matt jade-green surface is speckled with white chocolate – meant to mirror rippling water, hence its name “mizu” (Japanese for water). 

The cake store’s menu also includes matcha tiramisu ($22) and matcha Basque cheesecake ($48). 

Matcha doughnuts 

Where: Mister Donut outlets, including B1-20 Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, and B1-83/85 Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2 
When: Till June 30 
Info: Go to misterdonut.com.sg for full list of outlets and opening hours 

Popular Japanese chain Mister Donut’s seasonal matcha doughnuts ($3 each) have returned, amped up with premium matcha from Uji-based Japanese tea company Morihan.

The classic Uji Matcha Pon De Ring, coated in a thick layer of matcha milk chocolate, now comes topped with crispy rice puffs for added crunch. 

Fans of the brand’s pon de ring doughnut can enjoy it in a second way with the Uji Matcha Pon De Sando, in which the doughnut is halved and filled with matcha cream.

Finally, the Uji Matcha Bomb is not only filled with smooth and rich matcha cream, but also dusted with matcha powder.

Matcha daifuku

Where: Tonkatsu ENbiton outlets, including B1-19 Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square, and 01-16 Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, open: 11am to 10pm daily 
Info: tonkatsu-enbiton.com.sg 

Introduced two months ago as a dessert at Tonkatsu ENbiton chain, this matcha daifuku ($5.50) is no ordinary mochi. 

Matcha ice cream with bits of adzuki red bean is wrapped in chewy mochi, then breaded and fried in panko crumbs – just like tonkatsu – then topped with another scoop of matcha ice cream. A clever play on hot and cold temperatures, as well as textures. 

Matcha soba 

Where: Shimbashi Soba, B1-41 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road
When: Till May 5, 11.30am to 10pm (weekdays and Sundays), 10.30am to 10pm (Saturdays) 
Info: Call 6735-9882 or go to sobaworld.com.sg

Japanese restaurant Shimbashi Soba – known for its housemade buckwheat flour noodles – reprises its seasonal matcha soba series. 

Savour the noodles on their own – either warm or chilled ($15.80) – or go for the beef maze matcha soba ($22.80), with sukiyaki-style beef, onsen egg and a housemade chilli oil dipping sauce.

There is also matcha tempura soba ($26.80, warm or chilled), with two pieces of tiger prawn tempura and vegetable tempura.

Other soba items from the main menu and set menu can be upgraded to matcha soba for an extra $2. 

• Eunice Quek is STFood online editor at The Straits Times. She covers all things trending in the food and beverage scene.

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