Japanese Green Tea & Los Angeles - Green Tea Sommelier's Selfish Guide

I love LA.

I have visited here multiple times throughout my life, and the city has a good vibe and always makes me happy.

In 2024, I was lucky to be invited to some pop-up events (read more about it here), and I had a chance to visit a few cafes around the town.

Here are some of my personal favorites around the town (primarily related to tea).  

Enjoy!

The Butcher's Daughter

This was one of the first shops we visited after we came to LA, and I am happy to connect with Kari and Maria from the shop. They shared their products, images, and the videos below with us.

Our favorite is their Daily Green, a plant-based superfood made with just one ingredient: Moringa Leaf. Moringa is packed with essential vitamins and minerals and provides seven times the Vitamin C of oranges, making it a true nutritional powerhouse.

Their Matcha Latte is made with Ceremonial-Grade Organic Matcha, which can be made with this Daily Green added. They use Good Mylk (no binders, oils, or sugars) and honey as a sweetener. Matcha is a great way to get balanced energy, find Zen, and calmly and satisfyingly prepare for the busy world.

Kari and Maria shared videos of them making the matcha latte!  We edited the video to be 2x speed, but here they are: 

When we visited, we had their OG Avocado Toast, which is available in the weekend. 

Here is a picture of Miki, our Chief Brand Officer, trying out OG Avocado!

 Miki, our Chief Branding Officer trying OG Avocado Toast at The Butcher's Daughter

They have two locations in LA (Venice and West Hollywood) and two locations in NYC. The one we visited was at Venice Beach. 

Here are their addresses: 

The Butcher's Daughter

• Venice
  1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd.,Venice, CA 90291
  (310) 981-3004
• West Hollywood
  8755 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood CA 90069
  (310) 707-1630
• Williamsburg, NYC
  271 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn NY 11211
  (347) 763-1421
• Nolita, NYC
  19 Kenmare Street, New York NY 10012
  (212) 219 - 3434

Pillow Talk

LA has so many events. 

The only notable event in Portland was the Portland Night Market, but here in LA, many events are happening everywhere. 

The one we recently visited was Mayumi Market. Mayumi Market is a vibrant event celebrating Asian culture, featuring a curated marketplace with a variety of vendors offering Asian-inspired goods, including food, beverages, art, and lifestyle products.

One of the food vendors at Mayumi Market was Pillow Talk. 

You may know that I am an egg mania... I love eggs; everywhere I go, I have tea, coffee, or eggs if possible. 

Pillow Talk had an egg sandwich called Egg Heaven, which was jaw-dropping. OMG, a half-raw boiled egg is perfect softness surrounded by egg salad with fantastic seasoning. 

Kei eating Pillow Talk's Egg Heaven 

After eating, I praised them for how tasty their egg sandwich was, and Nancy & Elaine, the owners, invited us to their Pasadena shop. 

Pasadena is LA, right? 

I love the little city with a little old lady. (^^)

The town's atmosphere is cozy-elegant, and the Pillow Talk shop fits right in. 

Pillow Talk is clean and cozy. When we visited, they nicely decorated the shop with a Holiday mood. 

Their Matcha with Strawberry was nice but where they shine is their cake items. Matchamisu (Matcha Chiffon Cakes, Raspberry Jelly, Match Mascarpone Cream, dust off with ceremonial grade matcha powder, and raspberries.) was a desert to die for. 

I can tell how much Nancy & Elaine love baking. When we chatted at their shop, their eyes were different when we talked about various recipes. They were particularly curious about our hojicha recipes. (Thank you!)

I love people who are passionate about what they do, and Nancy and Elaine love what they do; I could tell when we talked. Their food and drinks show their love.

When you are in Pasadena, you cannot miss this shop. 

Pillow Talk
526 South Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 345-5545

Go Get Em Tiger

Our favorite spot for the weekend is ROW DTLA.

I didn't know what DTLA meant when I came here.  (It means Down Town Los Angeles)  People use so many short terms that I didn't know... OC (Orange County) DTSA (Down Town Santa Ana)... 

Our favorite Japanese shop, Hightide, is where we first met Tsugu-san, who invited us to the pop-up. Hightide has a little pop-up almost every weekend inviting different Japanese businesses, and it is always a surprise to pass by the shop with a lot of crowds.   You can read a story about Yuichi-san, the owner here. 

He wanted to create a shop like a Japanese stationary store, which I can relate to. I love stationery stores in Japan (文房具屋), and just as he mentioned in the interview, I also used to hang out at stationery shops when I was a kid. His shop really reminds me of that. 

Every time I visit the shop, I stop by Go Get Em Tiger. 

Their expertly crafted drinks, featuring premium ingredients like matcha and house-made almond macadamia milk, offer a perfect blend of flavor and quality. Whether you're a matcha lover or a newcomer, this is a place you won’t want to skip. 

My personal favorite is Honey Matcha Latte. 

It is a delightful blend of vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, starting with Matcha, which is renowned for its premium quality and is sourced directly from Japan’s lush tea farms. Handpicked and stone-ground, this matcha delivers a smooth, fresh, and earthy flavor, packed with antioxidants, fiber, and a natural energy boost. Complementing the bold matcha is their house-made Almond Macadamia Milk, a creamy and nutty alternative crafted from nutrient-rich almonds and macadamias. Free from additives and preservatives, this milk enhances the latte with a smooth texture and subtle richness, making it an ideal plant-based option full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

To round out the drink, California Organic Honey adds a naturally sweet, floral touch. Sourced sustainably from local honey farms, this pure, organic honey balances the earthy matcha while supporting eco-friendly practices and local agriculture. The Honey Matcha Latte combines these exceptional elements to create a nourishing, indulgent, and perfectly balanced drink—a true celebration of flavor and craftsmanship.

Go Get Em Tiger
ROW DTLA
777 S Alameda Street B2 Suite 184
Los Angeles, CA 90021 

List of other locations

Alchemist Coffee Project

At Alchemist Coffee Project, they take pride in creating unique and elevated beverages that reflect our commitment to quality and creativity. Among their most sought-after drinks are signature matcha offerings crafted with ceremonial-grade matcha and thoughtful innovation.

Their matcha is well balanced, ensuring no single element- bitterness, sweetness, or creaminess overwhelms the others, letting the vibrant, earthy matcha shine!

They offer Einspanner Matcha, which I did not know about until I visited them. 

Einspanner Matcha is a Korean twist that originated in Korean coffee culture, particularly the "Cafe Jungwol" in Seoul. "Einspanner" refers to the contrasting temperature between the hot coffee and the cold whipped cream; it's typically served iced and features a prominent layer of creamy foam over the matcha base.

Their Einspanner Matcha features the perfect balance of matcha and milk, topped with their house-made sweet cream and a delicate dusting of matcha powder to enhance the matcha flavors—a true indulgence for matcha enthusiasts.

And for those who crave a bolder twist, their Matcha Forest combines matcha with a double shot of espresso, layered with our signature sweet cream and finished with a touch of Valrhona cocoa powder to balance the bitter-sweet. Both drinks showcase the artistry and care in every cup they serve.

Alchemist Coffee Project

• Vermont
  698 S. Vermont Ave. Suite 103
  Los Angeles, CA 90005
  (213) 388-8767
• The Pearl
  687 S. Hobart Blvd. Unit C
  Los Angeles, CA 90005
  (213) 315-5700
• The Cumulus (Opened 1/2/2025)
  3311 La Cienega Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90016

Obet & Dels

If you're looking for a cozy, inviting place to connect with others, enjoy amazing coffee and tea, and be inspired, I highly recommend Obet & Del’s Coffee.

This gem, which opened its doors in early 2020, has quickly become a community favorite. People from all walks of life gather there to share ideas, create, and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

What sets Obet & Del's apart is not just the quality of their coffee but their incredible attention to detail in every cup, especially when it comes to their tea program. If you’re a fan of matcha, you’ll want to try their single-origin Yabukita cultivar from Uji, Japan. It’s a standout — carefully selected for its exceptional quality and smooth, vibrant flavor. The team at Obet & Del's takes great pride in their tea, ensuring that every cup is brewed to perfection with methods that respect the integrity of the leaves.

Whether you're stopping by for a quick pick-me-up or looking for a place to relax and collaborate, Obet & Del’s offers a truly unique experience. It's a perfect spot to unwind, meet new people, or simply enjoy a thoughtfully crafted beverage.
So, if you haven't visited yet, I can’t recommend Obet & Del’s enough. It’s more than just a café — it's a space where creativity, community, and exceptional flavors come together.

Obet & Del’s Coffee

5233 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Side Steps in Los Angeles

青い空に憧れてた
東京の空と違う
澄み切った空が好きだった
ロスアンジェルス
今でもあこがれの街

So many things are happening in Los Angeles, and I am sure I will be adding more to share about this city. 

I noticed in the city that many people love Japan here. 

Of course, this is the largest Japanese community in the USA and hosts one of the largest Japanese communities outside Japan. The United States has approximately 1.5 million people of Japanese descent. (Brazil has 2 million)

When I visited Little Tokyo a few years back, it was quite deserted, but now it is packed with people. 

When I talk with people here, one reason Japan is popular now is the influence of Shohei Ohtani. 

Little Tokyo has a huge image of Otani at Miyako Hotel (nice Japanese hotel BTW)




I wonder how much Itoen paid Mr. Ohtani for these... 

You see him everywhere (I mean his figures and pictures, and would love to "see him everywhere in person")

I hope to explore more of this city and be able to share cool things with you. 

To be continued.

FAQs about Japanese Green Tea in Los Angeles

What are the best places for matcha lattes in Los Angeles? What's special about The Butcher's Daughter's matcha latte? What is Mayumi Market, and where can I find Asian pop-up events in LA? Is LA actually a good city for Japanese green tea culture? Beyond Venice and Hollywood, what other LA neighborhoods are worth exploring for tea?

What are the best places for matcha lattes in Los Angeles?

Honestly, LA's matcha latte scene has gotten really good over the past few years. The Butcher's Daughter (Venice and West Hollywood locations) makes a serious matcha latte using ceremonial-grade matcha (抹茶), Good Mylk plant-based milk, and honey — they also offer it with their Moringa-based Daily Green added in for an extra nutrient layer.

Other LA spots worth seeking out: Maru Coffee (multiple locations) does a quietly excellent matcha. Cafe Dulce in Little Tokyo has a no-frills but well-made version. Stumptown's Arts District location pulls a respectable matcha latte if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Honor Coffee in Downtown also worth checking. The general rule in LA is that any third-wave coffee shop with care for their espresso program also tends to take their matcha seriously.

If you want to try the same kind of ceremonial matcha some of these cafés use, our matcha is linked below — it's the same grade most of these LA spots are working with.

Matcha - Japanese Limited Reserve Ceremonial Green Tea - (Global Tea Champion 2018, 2025) From $250.00 /

What's special about The Butcher's Daughter's matcha latte?

The Butcher's Daughter has built their menu around a plant-forward food philosophy, and their matcha (抹茶) latte fits that. They use organic ceremonial-grade matcha (the highest quality tier), Good Mylk (a plant-based milk that doesn't have added oils, binders, or sugars), and honey as the only sweetener. So the drink stays clean — you actually taste the matcha rather than the additives.

The optional add-on that's worth knowing about is their Daily Green, which is essentially powdered Moringa leaf. Moringa packs about seven times the vitamin C of oranges plus a long list of other nutrients. Stirring it into a matcha latte sounds odd but actually works — Moringa has a slight green-tea-adjacent flavor profile that doesn't fight with matcha.

Kari and Maria from the shop are also worth mentioning. The level of care they put into the drink program is unusual for a cafe of this size. If you stop in, ask them what they're excited about that month — they almost always have a small seasonal experiment going.

Matcha - Japanese Limited Reserve Ceremonial Green Tea - (Global Tea Champion 2018, 2025) From $250.00 /

What is Mayumi Market, and where can I find Asian pop-up events in LA?

Mayumi Market is a recurring pop-up market in LA that celebrates Asian-American food, retail, and culture. It runs at different venues throughout the year — usually outdoor markets in spaces like Smorgasburg LA, downtown plazas, or rotating cultural venues. Vendors range from food stalls to handmade goods to pop-up tea booths.

Other Asian-focused pop-ups worth following in LA: 626 Night Market (massive, summer-only, in Arcadia), 7th Street Pop-Up at Smorgasburg (smaller, more curated), and various one-off events at Japan House LA in Hollywood. Following Mayumi's Instagram is the easiest way to know when the next event is happening.

If you're a tea person, these markets are where you'll find the most interesting independent tea brands and cafés in LA. They're also where Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino food cultures all overlap, which makes for a really rich tea-adjacent scene.

Is LA actually a good city for Japanese green tea culture?

Better than I expected when I first started visiting. LA has the largest population of people of Japanese ancestry outside Japan, especially around Little Tokyo, Sawtelle (Japantown), Torrance, and Gardena. Where there's a Japanese community, there's usually serious Japanese food and tea culture supporting it.

Specifically for tea, LA has Stonemill Matcha (their flagship matcha-focused café), several traditional kissaten-style spots in Little Tokyo, the Mitsuwa Marketplace import section that carries quality leaf, and Japan House LA in Hollywood for cultural exhibits and the occasional tea-related programming.

Compared to NYC or San Francisco, LA's tea scene is more spread out — you have to drive more to hit different spots — but the depth and authenticity is genuinely strong.

Beyond Venice and Hollywood, what other LA neighborhoods are worth exploring for tea?

Little Tokyo (downtown) is the most concentrated tea district. Within a few blocks you've got Stonemill Matcha, Cafe Dulce, several traditional Japanese restaurants with proper green tea service, and the Japanese American National Museum. Sawtelle Boulevard (West LA) is the other big one — sometimes called Little Osaka, full of Japanese restaurants, izakayas, dessert shops, and small specialty grocers.

Torrance and Gardena, further south, have some of the most authentic Japanese food culture in the country, including a few quietly excellent tea-focused spots that don't get a lot of attention from food media. The Arts District has third-wave coffee shops that take matcha seriously. Atwater Village has a few quieter cafés worth a stop.

If you only have one day for LA tea exploration, I'd do Little Tokyo in the morning, lunch on Sawtelle, and end with a matcha latte at The Butcher's Daughter in Venice. That's a pretty representative slice of the LA tea scene.

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