Kearny Mesa’s Newest Cafe Spotlights Matcha Desserts and Drinks

A shop dedicated to all things matcha has arrived in Kearny Mesa; Matcha Cafe Maiko owner Corrina Lin tells Eater that its doors will likely open this weekend. Lin, who also owns the nearby Gong Cha cafe on Convoy Street, is also planning on bringing the brand to Mira Mesa.

Founded in 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Matcha Cafe Maiko has locations in the Bay Area, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Texas, and Virginia. Its menu is based on premium green tea that’s grown organically in a region of Kyoto, Japan known for producing high-grade matcha.

Signature sweets included shaved ice with matcha syrup, adzuki beans, mochi, and matcha cream and parfaits layered with matcha chiffon cake, matcha soft-serve ice cream, Japanese brown sugar syrup, corn flakes, red bean, mochi balls, and chestnuts as well as frappes, floats, lattes, and other drinks made with matcha or hojicha, a roasted green tea.

Lin says the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard store, open from noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, will also feature variety of special matcha desserts, from matcha pudding and candy to matcha cheesecake.