Notes:
- The Matcha Affogato provides a great balance of bittersweet.
- The Yuzu mochi is the perfect palate cleanser between sips of matcha.
Details
Address: CHIJMES (#01-04/05 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996)
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 9.30 pm daily
Menu: Hvala Menu
No reservations
Experience at Havla (CHIJMES)
Found in the outer ring of shops at CHIJMES, Havla’s Japanese tea house minimalist style has seats placed apart. This allow for bubbles of quiet in contrast with the lines forming outside. The dainty three-seater bench quails at the shop’s popularity. When we arrived late in the afternoon, there were still four others in front, a 10 minute wait. Once ushered inside and assigned seats, orders and payment are done through electronic kiosks.
Food & Drinks
Variations of matcha flavoured drinks and desserts are available in the 15 page menu. Hvala offers up three types of matcha, one professional grade (Yuki) and two ceremonial grade (Kaze and Hana). Each has a different subtle taste profile, with the Yuki professional grade having a sharper level of astringency (or as Singaporeans call it, siapness).
We ordered two variations of the matcha Latte, one with Hojicha syrup added and both with the professional grade Yuki Matcha. Each shot of matcha is freshly whisked before being added to each drink. Matcha itself has a rich umami flavour to it, with a sharp forward bitterness. Adding milk to it helps mellow out the bitterness, but the richness of it does not come through as strongly. Straight Matcha, where matcha is whisked together with hot water and served is available for those who wish to taste the full undiluted matcha experience.
A Matcha Latte has the addition of a Hojicha (a roasted tea) syrup. Unfortunately, I could only taste the Hojicha upon mixing it up, a mix of sweetness with nutty flavour.
A Martini style glass serves up gelato utilising matcha °1 (of a lighter intensity) floating amidst an intense shot of warm Matcha. Despite both being matcha based, scooping up both sweet creamy gelato and the almost harsh shot provides contrasting flavours, a bittersweet experience indeed.
Hvala’s homemade Warabi Mochi section offers up three different kinds, pairing it with a gelato, having the Mochi dusted with Kinako powder (roasted soy bean), and a Yuzu Warabi Mochi. I opted for the last. The chewy texture with a citrus taste that permeates through your mouth with every bite. Served on the side with Japanese kuromitsu (brown sugar), similar to molasses.
With an extensive menu that delivers on quality, a soothing atmosphere, I recommend matcha lovers to pay them a visit. I know I will certainly be back.