It’s likely that diehard fans of matcha desserts and black sesame desserts also appreciate a good hojicha treat from time to time. Complex in flavour, the roasted Japanese green tea has become a popular dessert flavour over the years. Lately, there’s also been a growing number of home-based bakeries and cafes coming up with their own renditions of hojicha-themed bakes and desserts, and we’re here to ride the wave. Ranging from soft serve to cheesecake, here’s our handpicked list of the best hojicha desserts and snacks in Singapore.
Image credit: @keongsaikbakery
Now located in Bendemeer, Keong Saik Bakery is a popular cafe that boasts a minimalist dining space with an extensive range of hot food items, and pastries. Among popular dessert flavours such as taro and black sesame, there’s also the Hojicha Swiss Roll ($7.80++) that was added to their permanent menu in 2020. A substantial amount of hojicha cream is wrapped in a soft hojicha sponge cake, then topped with hojicha ganache as the finishing touch. You can also get this as a whole cake for $22.70++!
Address: 70 Bendemeer Road, #01-03, Luzerne, Singapore 339940
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 7pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 6pm
Tel: 9021 9626
Website
Keong Saik Bakery is not a halal-certified eatery.
In September 2023, Baristart launched their kakigori as a permanent addition to their menu. Known as a Japanese shaved ice dessert, their Hojicha Genmai Kakigori ($12.80++) is only available at their Tras Street and Sentosa outlets for now. This moss-green dessert features pure ice with kinako mochi balls, Hokkaido azuki, hojicha mousse, rice crackers, and hojicha pudding within. Do note that there’s no milk in kakigori!
Read all about the new Baristart kakigori!
Tras Street outlet
Address: 65 Tras Street, Singapore 079004
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Sentosa outlet
Address: 40 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 098996
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 7pm
Website
Baristart Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @onmineplate
Nesuto is well-loved for their Japanese and French-inspired cakes, so much so that the homegrown patisserie opened their second outlet at Jewel Changi Airport in July 2023. Here, you’ll find Konichiwa Hojicha, which is priced at 11.90++ for a slice, and $50.76++ for a 10-cm whole cake. This beautifully layered cake comprises hojicha ganache, hojicha cream, tea specks, and hojicha chiffon sponge cake.
Check out our Nesuto Jewel feature!
Jewel Changi Airport outlet
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, #01-236/237, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tras Street outlet
Address: 53 Tras Street, #01-01, Singapore 078992
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 10pm, Sun 12pm to 6pm
Website
Nesuto is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @elijahpies
Earlier this year, homegrown bakery Elijah Pies officially launched their first physical store in the CBD, with a pie-focused menu. Speculoos Hōjicha Pie ($56) is one of the many pie flavours to choose from. This is also one of their latest creations, which features a crispy crust with rich hojicha custard and caramelised cookie butter. You can also purchase this in eight separate slices that come individually packed for $62, great for gifting to friends.
Read our full Elijah Pies review!
Address: 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-102, Singapore 081007
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 4pm
Tel: 9855 9480
Website
Elijah Pies is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @mysweetlittletooth
Chocolatea is a humble home-based bakery that offers desserts in hojicha, pistachio, goma, and matcha flavours. Their items change up with every batch of order, and their past collection included a Hojicha Box ($35) with a gorgeous selection of hojicha desserts: a Houjicha Kinako Rollcake, two pieces of Seasalt Houjicha Blackout Brownie, and two pieces of Houjicha Dulcey Financier. Their brownie was particularly popular thanks to the oozy sea salt and hojicha ganache packed within.
Website
Chocolatea is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @my_matcha_moments
With two outlets across the country, Folks & Stories is a well-known brand that specialises in soft-baked cookies. While there’s a wide variety of flavours to choose from, it goes without saying that hojicha lovers must try their Sunny Lover ($5.50). This hojicha cookie is stuffed with a creamy yuzu cheesecake filling, and is said to be a good balance of roasted tea notes and citrusy tanginess.
Toa Payoh outlet
Address: Blk 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-146, Singapore 310177
Opening hours: Tue 11am to 7pm, Thurs-Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 4pm
Everton outlet
Address: Everton Park, #01-63 Block 3, Singapore 080003
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am to 4:30pm
Website
Folks & Stories is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @jas_raine
108 Matcha Saro is a famous dessert joint from Hokkaido, and this is where you can find a good range of matcha- and hojicha-themed desserts. Besides their Hojicha Soft Serve ($4.90), there’s also the Hojicha Soft Serve Parfait that comes in Mini ($6.90) and Deluxe ($8.50) sizes. Each cup is generously packed with brown sugar jelly cubes at the bottom, then topped with hojicha soft serve and a bunch of delectable treats—azuki beans, soybean warabi mochi, and mochi balls.
ION Orchard outlet
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-70, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: 11:30am to 9pm
Suntec City outlet
Address: 5 Temasek Blvd, #B1-K5, Suntec City, Singapore 038985
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 10:30am to 9pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am to 9:30pm
Website
108 Matcha Saro is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @hourlyfoodie
Another popular home-based business is twoambakes, a bakery that has been well-received for their experimental Korean-inspired bakes. One of their past bakes included a Hojicha Sea Salt Mammoth Bbang (price TBD), which features a streusel-style bread brimming with a dense hojicha cream, and a crunchy crumble. This moreish snack will give you a slice of Korea as mammoth bread is well-loved in the country. Do note that their menu changes from time to time, so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled on their IG page for the latest drop.
Website
twoambakes is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @twentygrammes
If you frequent Bugis—or more specifically, Haji Lane and Arab Street, you would have come across Twenty Grammes. It’s a popular late-night dessert spot as it closes at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. While there’s a great range of cakes, tarts, and ice cream to choose from, their Hojicha Soft Serve on Waffle ($11) is a must-try especially if you’re a fan of roasted tea. You get a waffle topped with a huge swirl of hojicha soft serve, brownies, and a Pepero stick for crunch!
Address: 753 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198721
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 1am
Tel: 9447 2020
Website
Twenty Grammes is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @thebutterbuds
Bakery Brera takes their bakes very seriously, with a huge lineup of artisanal French pastries at affordable prices. Among a plethora of items on the menu, their Hojicha Basque Burnt Cheesecake is one that will surely strike your fancy. It’s priced at $9 for a slice, while a whole cake costs $70! There’s a good balance of mild tanginess and roasted nuttiness, and the creamy centre is the cherry on top.
Check out Cafe Brera by Bakery Brera, a new cafe at National Museum!
Address: 8 Empress Road, #01-05, Express Market, Singapore 260008
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 7:30am to 5pm, Sun-Mon 7:30am to 4pm
Tel: 8413 6569
Website
Bakery Brera is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @hvala_sg
Hvala has made a name for their own as a popular franchise that specialises in “teasserts”, which is essentially a blend of tea and desserts. You must give their Hojicha Yuzu Petit ($9.90++) a try, which showcases a hojicha sponge cake with beautiful layers of hojicha mousse, yuzu curd, and hazelnut biscuit. To beat the all-year-round summer weather, we recommend their Hojicha Vegan Gelato ($5.90++) and Hojicha Ice Blend ($8++). Do note that their menu slightly differs across all five outlets.
Website | Full list of outlets
Hvala is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @kazbaeats
Boasting an assortment of hojicha desserts, TSUJIRI has four outlets spread across our little red dot. If you want to get something on the go, we recommend their Hojicha Float ($7.80) or Hojicha Soft Serve ($5.80). Otherwise, opt for their Hojicha Parfait ($8.80) or Hojicha Shaved Ice ($7.80). The former comprises a hojicha jelly bottom, followed by a layer of hojicha soft serve, topped with warabi mochi and rice crackers for a good mix of chewy and crunchy textures. The latter presents shaved ice with soft serve atop, along with a dollop of azuki bean paste and mochi!
Website | Full list of outlets
TSUJIRI is not a halal-certified eatery.
We hope our guide to the best hojicha desserts in Singapore comes in handy when your hojicha craving creeps in. For more solid food recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Singapore. Alternatively, check out our guide to the best mochi waffles in Singapore, including pandan and nian gao flavours.
Feature image adapted from @thebutterbuds, @twentygrammes, @keongsaikbakery, @my_matcha_moments and @jas_raine
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