Paris 10 · World cuisine · Trendy
A contemporary Japanese café in République dedicated to the art of matcha, serving bubble tea, gua baos, and an array of matcha-infused desserts.
Featured on
The full story
Japanese-inspired cuisine centered on matcha mastery, from traditional bubble tea to creative desserts, with savory Korean-influenced dishes rounding out the menu.
The culinary philosophy at Matcha Ochaya revolves around showcasing matcha's versatility while offering complementary savory options that reflect broader East Asian influences. The kitchen demonstrates respect for Japanese ingredients and techniques while adapting them to Parisian tastes and dining habits.
Matcha takes center stage across the beverage menu, prepared in various styles that range from traditional to contemporary. The bubble tea selection represents the café's signature offering, combining the Taiwanese innovation of tapioca pearls with Japanese matcha expertise. These drinks balance sweetness, texture, and the distinctive umami-rich flavor of quality matcha, creating refreshing beverages that appeal to both bubble tea enthusiasts and green tea purists.
The dessert program highlights matcha's affinity for delicate pastries and creamy preparations. The mille crêpes au matcha exemplifies this approach—paper-thin crêpes layered with matcha-infused cream create a dessert that's simultaneously light and indulgent, showcasing French pastry technique through a Japanese lens. The sakura ice cream adds another dimension, introducing the subtle floral notes of cherry blossom to complement matcha's earthy character. These desserts aren't overly sweet, respecting the Japanese preference for balanced flavors that allow the matcha to shine.
On the savory side, the menu incorporates Korean influences through dishes like bibimbaps—the colorful rice bowls topped with vegetables, protein, and gochujang sauce—and gua baos, the Taiwanese-style steamed buns that have become popular across East Asian cuisine. These dishes, priced accessibly between 6 and 15 euros, provide satisfying meal options that pair well with the tea-focused beverage menu. The kitchen's vegan-friendly approach ensures that plant-based diners can enjoy the full range of offerings without compromise.
The food at Matcha Ochaya succeeds by maintaining focus—it doesn't attempt to be a comprehensive Japanese restaurant but rather excels at its chosen specialties: matcha beverages, creative desserts, and a curated selection of East Asian comfort foods that complement the tea-drinking experience.
A modern, welcoming atmosphere that blends Japanese serenity with Parisian café energy, perfect for both quick matcha fixes and leisurely tea moments.
Matcha Ochaya cultivates an atmosphere that bridges two worlds: the contemplative calm of Japanese tea culture and the dynamic buzz of a contemporary Parisian café. The space invites you to slow down and appreciate the ritual of tea while remaining firmly rooted in the energetic République neighborhood.
The vibe shifts naturally throughout the day. During quieter moments, the café takes on an almost meditative quality, where the focus on matcha preparation and presentation creates a sense of mindfulness. You'll find solo visitors savoring their drinks with intention, students working on laptops, and tea enthusiasts discovering new flavor combinations. As the day progresses, the energy builds, with groups of friends gathering over bubble tea and sharing plates of gua baos, creating a more convivial atmosphere.
The modern Japanese aesthetic contributes significantly to the overall feeling. Unlike traditional tea houses that might feel formal or intimidating, Matcha Ochaya maintains an approachable, casual vibe that welcomes both matcha novices and connoisseurs. The staff's knowledge and enthusiasm for their products add warmth to the experience, making it easy to ask questions and explore the menu.
This is a place where you can equally enjoy a quick takeaway bubble tea or settle in for an hour with a book and a slice of mille crêpes. The atmosphere accommodates various moods and occasions—whether you're seeking a peaceful moment of respite, a casual catch-up with friends, or simply a quality matcha fix in the heart of Paris.
Cherry blossom motifs and modern Japanese design elements create an Instagram-worthy space that celebrates springtime in Japan year-round.
The decoration at Matcha Ochaya immediately transports you to Japan through its thoughtful use of cherry blossom imagery and contemporary design sensibilities. The space embraces a modern interpretation of Japanese aesthetics, avoiding clichéd orientalism in favor of clean lines and meaningful cultural references.
Cherry blossoms—sakura—serve as the primary decorative motif throughout the café, appearing in various forms that evoke the fleeting beauty of Japanese spring. These floral elements aren't merely decorative; they connect thematically to menu items like the sakura ice cream, creating a cohesive sensory experience. The blossoms might appear as wall art, subtle patterns, or three-dimensional installations, depending on the season and the café's evolving design choices.
The color palette likely draws from matcha itself, incorporating shades of green alongside natural woods, whites, and soft pinks that echo the cherry blossom theme. The modern Japanese approach to decoration means you'll find clean surfaces, minimal clutter, and intentional negative space that allows each element to breathe. This restraint creates a calming environment that doesn't overwhelm the senses.
The café's layout balances functionality with aesthetics, accommodating both quick service for takeaway orders and comfortable seating for those dining in. Display cases showcase the colorful array of desserts and drinks, turning the food itself into part of the visual experience. The overall effect is a space that feels distinctly Japanese yet perfectly at home in contemporary Paris—photogenic without trying too hard, and comfortable enough to encourage lingering over your matcha latte.
Paris's dedicated matcha specialist combines Japanese tea culture with modern bubble tea trends and vegan-friendly options in the heart of République.
Matcha Ochaya distinguishes itself in Paris's crowded café scene through its singular focus on matcha culture. While many establishments offer matcha as an afterthought or trendy addition, this café-restaurant builds its entire identity around Japan's celebrated green tea powder, exploring its possibilities across beverages, desserts, and even savory applications.
The café's commitment to bubble tea sets it apart from traditional Japanese tea houses. By embracing this Taiwanese innovation and infusing it with quality matcha, Matcha Ochaya bridges generational and cultural preferences—appealing to younger customers seeking Instagram-worthy drinks while satisfying tea connoisseurs who appreciate the quality of the matcha itself. This dual approach creates a unique positioning that few other Parisian establishments achieve.
The vegan-friendly menu represents another distinctive feature. Many Japanese restaurants struggle to accommodate plant-based diets due to traditional ingredients like dashi (fish stock) and dairy-based preparations. Matcha Ochaya's conscious effort to provide vegan options across its menu makes it accessible to a broader audience without compromising authenticity or flavor. This inclusivity extends the café's appeal beyond the typical Japanese restaurant clientele.
The cherry blossom-themed decoration creates an immersive environment that goes beyond typical café aesthetics. By maintaining this seasonal Japanese motif year-round, the café offers Parisians a consistent escape to springtime in Japan, regardless of the actual season. This thematic consistency reinforces the brand identity and creates a memorable visual experience that complements the culinary offerings.
Location also contributes to uniqueness. Situated in République rather than the more obvious Japanese neighborhoods like Opéra or Saint-Anne, Matcha Ochaya brings authentic Japanese tea culture to a diverse, dynamic area known for its creative energy and multicultural influences. This positioning allows the café to reach customers who might not typically venture to traditional Japanese districts.
Finally, the café's ability to function as both a quick-service bubble tea spot and a sit-down restaurant for meals creates versatility that serves different customer needs throughout the day. This flexibility, combined with accessible pricing (6-15 euros for savory dishes), makes quality matcha culture available to a wide audience rather than positioning it as a luxury experience.
Follow their Instagram for daily specials and opening hours, and don't hesitate to ask staff for matcha recommendations based on your sweetness preferences.
To make the most of your Matcha Ochaya experience, we recommend following their Instagram account (@matcha_ochaya) before your visit. Since specific opening hours aren't widely published, their social media provides the most current information about daily schedules, seasonal specials, and any temporary closures. This is particularly important if you're planning a special trip or visiting from outside the neighborhood.
When ordering, don't hesitate to discuss your preferences with the staff. Matcha can vary significantly in bitterness and intensity, and the team's knowledge can guide you toward drinks and desserts that match your taste profile. If you're new to matcha, starting with a bubble tea or the mille crêpes might provide a gentler introduction than a straight matcha preparation. For experienced matcha drinkers, asking about their highest-grade matcha options can lead to discovering premium preparations.
Given the café's growing popularity and relatively intimate size, timing your visit strategically can enhance your experience. Weekday afternoons typically offer a calmer atmosphere if you're seeking a peaceful tea moment, while weekends bring more energy and a livelier crowd. If you're planning to dine rather than just grab a drink, we suggest arriving outside typical lunch hours (before noon or after 2 PM) to secure seating more easily.
For those interested in takeaway, the bubble tea travels well and makes for an excellent accompaniment to exploring the République neighborhood. However, the desserts—particularly the delicate mille crêpes—deserve to be enjoyed fresh in the café where you can appreciate their texture and presentation fully.
The vegan options aren't always immediately obvious on the menu, so asking specifically about plant-based choices can reveal more possibilities than you might initially notice. The staff can guide you toward dishes and drinks that align with dietary preferences without compromising on flavor or authenticity.
Finally, if you're visiting during warmer months, consider trying the iced matcha preparations, which showcase the tea's refreshing qualities. The café's location near République's bustling square makes it an ideal stop for refueling during a day of exploring the 10th arrondissement's diverse offerings.
Mille crêpes au matcha, Bubble tea matcha, Gua baos, Sakura ice cream, Bibimbap
A taste of what awaits
Find your way there
Local medias & International press
You might also like
A Korean café in the 5th arrondissement where authentic bingsu and specialty coffee transport you straight to Seoul's café scene.
Timeout
A warm Korean table where traditional fermented dishes and vegetarian specialties nourish both body and soul.
A luminous vegetarian canteen in the heart of the Marais serving ultra-fresh, Instagram-worthy plant-based comfort food with an impressive 9.6/10 rating.
Timeout
A sweet haven open until 2 AM, serving homemade crêpes, waffles, and ice cream with inclusive options for all dietary needs.
A modern coffee roastery where expertly sourced single-origin beans meet house-made pastries in a light-filled space that doubles as a community hub.
A colorful haven serving fresh açaï bowls and all-day brunch across multiple Parisian locations, where Brazilian superfoods meet local ingredients.
An American-style bakery and diner serving homemade pies, fresh bagels, and Brooklyn-inspired organic fare in the heart of Paris's 18th arrondissement.
Timeout
A pioneering specialty coffee roastery in the 18th arrondissement where Parisian café culture meets artisanal bean-to-cup craftsmanship.
Timeout
Paris Secret
