Recent Reviews
I visited [Cha no Ikeda-ya], a gelato shop in the Odakyu Ace South Building, which is right outside Shinjuku Station West Exit and is listed in the Hyakumeiten (100 Best Shops) for ice cream and gelato. It really is right outside the station, but the Odakyu Ace was a bit hard to find if you're not used to Shinjuku Station... I bought: ✔︎ Rich Matcha ¥300 They had a mix of hojicha and matcha, which I wanted to try, but the hojicha was out of stock, so I got the matcha. You can choose between a cup or a cone, and I chose a cup. It was quite a generous serving. The matcha had a strong matcha flavor and was a rich soft serve! Isn't this cheap for ¥300? The matcha itself was rich, but I might have preferred it even richer. I ate it all up in a flash. The shop only offers takeout, and there's no place to eat it, so I ate it while leaning against the wall next to the shop like everyone else. I'll stop by again if I'm nearby. Thank you for the meal!
Tea shop's rich matcha soft serve "Cha no Ikeda-ya" "Cha no Ikeda-ya" is a tea shop located in the bustling Shinjuku area. This shop, which attracts many foreign tourists, is popular as a place where you can easily enjoy Japanese sweets. Of particular note is the "soft serve with black bean jelly" (¥450), which is a must-try for matcha lovers. Its rich matcha flavor is a key feature, and it's a treat that allows you to fully enjoy the taste of Japan. First of all, the matcha flavor of the soft serve itself is very rich, and the deep bitterness and sweetness of the matcha are exquisitely balanced. When you put it in your mouth, the strong matcha flavor spreads, and it's a satisfying treat even though it's not overly sweet. For matcha lovers, it's a quality that makes you want to eat it again and again. Another charm of this soft serve is the "black bean jelly" hidden at the bottom. The jelly, rich in the flavor of black beans, perfectly matches the mellow sweetness of the soft serve, adding an accent to the texture. The compatibility with the rich matcha soft serve is outstanding, and it has a high degree of completion as a Japanese sweet. One thing that was a bit disappointing was the staff's attitude. I sometimes felt that the service was a little cold. Also, many foreign tourists visit the shop, and it's always lively, so you might get the impression that it's a bit crowded. However, the shop itself is lively, and it's used as a tea shop where you can easily stop by in the center of Shinjuku. The black bean jelly soft serve offered at the tea shop in Shinjuku is characterized by its rich flavor that matcha lovers will adore. The combination with the black bean jelly, a Japanese ingredient, is exquisite, and it's also a nice point that you can easily enjoy it for 450 yen. Why not enjoy matcha sweets while the shop is bustling with many foreign tourists?
Matcha soft serve from an Ochaya (tea house). Selected as one of the top 100 ice cream shops ❤️ 2023 Located in Shinjuku Station, West Exit, probably B1 floor. It's a bit confusing now because of the ongoing construction at the exits. It's in the Odakyu Ace South building, near the station, under the bus terminal. The shop is mainly for takeout, with many foreign visitors looking at souvenirs. Although it's not a dessert shop, they have sundae, drinks, and other cafe-style dessert menus, which was surprising (lol). I simply ordered: ◆ Matcha Soft Cream Cone 300 yen Cash only. The soft serve was fluffy. The matcha flavor was strong, but I didn't think it was exceptionally delicious, just average (lol). However, I thought the price of 300 yen was cheap. I was also interested in the other takeout menus. The shop sells tea-related items and, for some reason, Tokyo souvenirs. Maybe it's because the bus terminal is nearby... Thank you for the meal. It's convenient to grab a soft serve quickly at the station. There is a trash can.
Shinjuku West Exit is a complete mess with the redevelopment of the Odakyu Department Store (°▽°) The area is completely different from the nostalgic place where I worked part-time over 30 years ago. Odakyu Ace has also changed, with almost none of the familiar shops remaining, though I don't remember if this particular shop was around back then (〃ω〃) I went to get some soft serve ice cream from the tea shop, but it was crowded with inbound customers, and the staff were busy, so I had to wait a while ^ ^ I placed my order when things calmed down a bit ^ ^ The rich matcha soft serve was only 300 yen٩( ᐛ )و Amazing ♪(๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)♪ The taste was indeed rich matcha, with the bitterness of the tea coming through before the sweetness, a perfect treat for an old man like me (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) It was delicious! Thank you for the meal ^o^
Although there's no eat-in space, there's an area around the shop where you can stand and eat your ice cream, making it perfect for a quick treat (lol). I tried the rich matcha soft serve and the matcha shake (vanilla) this time. The vibrant green matcha soft serve has a perfect balance of the bitterness of green tea and the sweetness of rich milk. Combined with the crispy waffle cone, it's a delicious treat that doesn't disappoint. Matcha lovers will definitely enjoy the rich, authentic flavor. The matcha shake, with its combination of vanilla, perfectly matches the bitterness of matcha with the sweetness of vanilla. It's rich yet refreshing, and the fragrant aroma of matcha is enhanced. The staff's service was a bit rough around the edges, but the products were provided quickly, making for a comfortable experience. I appreciated the smooth service despite the shop being crowded. With its extensive matcha menu and the deep flavors of a long-established shop, it's the perfect place to stop by after shopping or when you want to cool down.