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Matcha in San Francisco

Authentic matcha that prioritizes traditional preparation over the sugar-heavy trends found in most cafes.

Based on 518 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
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Spacious cafe with cute decor and a wall of bench seating creates an inviting atmosphere. The vibe stays immaculate even when it gets crowded. Many come for the fresh onigiri and crispy Chicken Karaage Sando, making it a standout spot for food and drinks.

Fresh onigiris stand out with flavors like shiso salmon topped with tobiko and pickles inside. The grab-and-pay system makes it easy to enjoy a variety of Japanese snacks alongside drinks like matcha latte.

Thick, balanced matcha stands out here, especially the strawberry and pistachio varieties. The matcha latte with salted cream cheese or strawberry cream top offers a refreshing, rich flavor not watered down like elsewhere.

People are saying

"I loved the huge selection of delicious onigiri here."

"The matcha latte with strawberry cream was delicious."

"The Japanese food, especially the onigiri and sandwiches, is perfect for a picnic."

Good to know

1

Expect a one-hour wait during busy times, especially on weekends.

2

The menu features a variety of onigiri options.

3

Indoor seating is available for guests.

02
Komeya No Bento image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small space with limited seating creates a cozy but crowded atmosphere. Loud and disorganized environment contrasts with a great playlist that adds to the vibe. Popular spot mainly for takeout, often busy with long waits and tight quarters.

Bentoboxes come with beautiful presentation and unique flavors. Salmon sashimi with ikura tastes fresh and melts in your mouth, while the Karaage Chicken offers a solid classic option. Mochi matcha and fruit lattes provide sweet, satisfying drinks.

Smooth, rich matcha uses Marukyu Koyamaen powder for authentic flavor. Options include ceremonial grade matcha and creative blends like strawberry and cheese foam, all with adjustable sweetness.

People are saying

"The matcha drinks here are a perfect 10/10, especially the strawberry."

"The salmon here is buttery smooth and not fishy at all."

"I've had the best matcha here; it's so smooth and delicious."

Good to know

1

Komeya No Bento is mainly a to-go place with limited indoor seating.

2

Expect long wait times, especially during peak hours.

3

Ordering online is recommended to avoid long lines.

03
Japan Center Malls image 1
Shopping mall

Shopping mall blends traditional Japanese architecture with modern cultural exhibits, featuring wooden bridges, red lanterns, and a towering pagoda. Atmosphere feels vibrant yet relaxed, with festive decorations and lively sounds from eateries and shops. Visitors engage in cultural activities and enjoy unique entertainment like old-school arcades and claw machines.

Ramen stands out with rich pork broth and fresh noodles. The food court offers takoyaki and matcha desserts like hojicha ice cream and crepes.

A strong selection of matcha cafes offers soft serve, hojicha ice cream, and matcha desserts. Many shops sell matcha donuts, ice cream, and drinks, including boba tea with matcha flavors.

People are saying

"This mall has tons of anime goods, manga, and unique collectibles."

"I loved the authentic Japanese food, especially the ramen and sushi."

"You have to try the matcha soft serve here; it's delicious."

Good to know

1

The mall hosts special events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, attracting lively crowds.

2

Monthly pop-up events at OKMARKETPLACE offer unique shopping experiences.

3

Parking can be difficult to find, especially in busy times.

04
Kiss of Matcha image 1

Small, traditional Japanese-style tea house with a cozy minimalist interior and strong tea aroma. Atmosphere feels warm and calming despite limited seating and occasional crowding. Known for creamy, deeply flavored matcha soft serve that stands out among similar spots.

Warabi mochi stands out for its nice texture and pairs well with matcha. Desserts include a layered parfait with red beans, brown sugar jelly, and matcha ice cream, plus chewy mochi and crispy yet fluffy croffle.

Strong, organic matcha gets hand whisked on the spot for authentic flavor. Matcha drinks balance bitterness with milk or strawberry purรฉe, and matcha soft serve and desserts highlight the deep matcha grain taste.

People are saying

"The matcha soft serve is creamy with a strong, grassy flavor."

"The Shiratama Mochi balls were super chewy and delicious."

"The Japanese soft serve here is creamy with a strong, earthy matcha flavor."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times after 2pm; visit in the morning for shorter waits.

2

They offer a rewards program with $2 ice cream on Tuesdays.

3

Street parking is available, but the area can be busy.

05
Japanese Tea House image 1

Small, thoughtfully designed tea house nestled within gorgeous gardens featuring koi ponds and botanical terrain. Atmosphere feels serene and elegant, ideal for quiet reflection or romantic daytime visits. Crowds can disrupt the calm, but the setting remains visually stunning and peaceful.

Udon soup features a deep fish flavor and noodles with a perfect texture. Chicken karaage, mochi ice cream, and jasmine tea are common choices, alongside sweet soy sauce dango and matcha cheesecake.

Exceptional matcha comes with a mochi dessert filled with red bean paste. The tea is consistently great and super good.

People are saying

"The Japanese Tea House is a calm, beautiful spot with a serene garden view."

"You've got to try the Japanese Food, especially the mochi ice cream."

"I found the matcha here to be super good."

Good to know

1

Access to the Tea House requires paying to enter the Japanese Tea Garden.

2

I paid an entrance fee of $15 at the Japanese Tea House.

3

The menu prices at the Japanese Tea House were reasonable.

06
Stonemill Matcha image 1

Cafe offers a warm Japanese ambience with a tea ceremony setup and beautiful interior decor. Atmosphere blends calm and liveliness, creating a cozy yet buzzy environment with spaced seating. Seating includes stools at a small bar table, and dining time is limited to one hour.

Chicken and pork katsu sandwiches stand out with their soft, juicy texture and rich flavor. The Japanese Gozen offers soy-marinated salmon belly sashimi and ikura, paired with a hot matcha dashi broth that complements the dish without softening the rice.

Strong earthy matcha flavor stands out in both hot and cold brews, with sweeteners balancing the taste. Unique options like rose matcha and matcha cream pie add aromatic and flavorful variety.

People are saying

"The matcha here is smooth, rich, and flavorful."

"The matcha cream pie here is so good, I returned the next day for another."

"Their matcha is delicious and creamy, a must-try Japanese Food."

Good to know

1

The place closes at 4pm.

2

There is a dine-in time limit of only one hour.

3

It gets busy around noon, so arrive early to beat the lunch rush.

07
Pixlcat Coffee image 1
Coffee shop

Small coffee shop with cute decor and comfortable seating creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Low-volume old school hip hop playlist adds to the relaxed vibe. Pet-friendly space offers free dog treats, making it welcoming for animal lovers.

Mochi comes in several flavors with green tea and black sesame standing out. Butter mochi muffins and spam musubi also feature, with some mochi tasting better when warmed.

Island matcha offers a balanced sweetness that stands out. Drinks like the guava matcha with oat milk and the iced matcha dopo panna deliver consistent quality and flavor.

People are saying

"I found the butter mochi here to be amazing."

"I loved the matcha latte, it was delicious and not too sweet."

"I loved the mochi flavors, especially green tea and black sesame."

Good to know

1

Parking is difficult, and I needed to park a few blocks away.

2

Seating inside is limited with tables and a small patio outside.

3

Pixlcat Coffee charges a 4.5% fee on top of the coffee price.

08
The Wild Fox image 1

Small cafe with impeccable design and chill, friendly vibes offers a curated menu featuring Japanese coffee and pastries. Space feels cozy and refined, suitable for casual meetings or working on a laptop. Attention to detail shows in every aspect, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere.

Elevated small bites like onigiri and Japanese style lunch bowls stand out here. The katsu sandwich pairs well with coffee, and pastries maintain high quality throughout.

Unique drinks like Mango Matcha blend sweetness and matcha perfectly, offering more matcha than usual in iced options. The menu features innovative matcha blends with refreshing, balanced flavors.

People are saying

"I found the espresso here to be excellent and flavorful."

"I enjoyed the delicious katsu sandwich and coffee."

"I found the matcha here to be amazing."

Good to know

1

The Wild Fox specializes in Japanese coffee and unique matcha options.

2

Handmade mochi is available, adding a unique touch to the menu.

3

The cafe accepts credit cards and mobile payments for convenience.

09
Mochill Mochidonut image 1

Mochi donuts made with rice flour create a light and chewy texture that differs from typical donuts. The shop offers over 25 flavors leaning towards Asian-inspired tastes like taro, black sesame, and matcha. Lines form on weekends, requiring patience for pickup, while weekdays are quieter.

Takoyaki stands out as a popular choice with a strong reputation for flavor. The Mochi Donut Matcha offers a unique twist, though caution is advised due to a reported safety issue with the donuts.

Flavors focus on typical Asian tastes like taro, black sesame, and matcha. Matcha pairs well with chocolate and Oreo for a rich, distinctive profile.

People are saying

"These mochi donuts are so chewy and delicious."

"I'd come back for the takoyaki and mochi donuts."

"The Matcha mochi donuts are so soft and chewy."

Good to know

1

They had a promotion offering half-price donuts during their anniversary weekend.

2

Individual donuts range from $3.30 to $3.50, with 6 for $18.

3

There was no wait at all during the week around lunchtime.

10
Stonestown Galleria image 1
Shopping mall

Two-story shopping mall with a fresh, contemporary look after renovation hosts a lively, young crowd in a clean, spacious environment. Features include a well-maintained food court with scenic bay windows and a comfortable movie theater. The atmosphere feels bustling yet not crowded, offering a friendly and fun vibe.

Kura Sushi offers consistent quality with shorter wait times compared to other locations. The mall features a variety of Japanese options including conveyor sushi, udon noodles, and excellent ramen.

Several spots offer matcha ice cream and mochi donuts. A dedicated matcha dessert place serves good ice cream alongside other Asian treats.

People are saying

"This mall has fantastic layout and ample shopping options."

"The Japanese food, especially the ramen and sushi, is excellent."

"I loved the matcha ice cream they offered."

Good to know

1

Parking can get difficult depending on the time and day.

2

Expect tight parking during peak hours.

3

There is a lot of parking all around the mall.

11
NINNIKU RAMEN IZAKAYA image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small dining space with about 7 to 12 tables creates an intimate, cozy atmosphere that feels like a homey hole-in-the-wall. The vibe is lively and filled with happy folks, though the limited size means it can get crowded quickly. Decor is nice and clean, contributing to a comfortable setting.

Ramen features rich broths like pork bone and duck truffle, with noodles cooked just right. Sushi, donburi bowls, and crispy takoyaki with chewy octopus and umami bonito flakes also stand out.

A standout is the matcha cloud served as a non-alcoholic drink. The matcha panna cotta dessert comes with a strawberry and syrup, though the syrup tends to overpower the delicate matcha flavor.

People are saying

"The ramen here is huge and savory."

"This lunch spot offers an amazing three-course deal for $16."

"The matcha here is flavorful and perfectly balanced."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm with $5 small plates.

2

Reservations are not accepted; expect to sign in for the waitlist.

3

Parking can be challenging with no free options available nearby.

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San Francisco, California

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