Singapore’s matcha scene has a new specialist at The Star Vista. KOKO Kawane, which opened on 29 September 2026, is built around tea grown in Kawane, Shizuoka, and supplied by a family farm whose history stretches back more than four centuries.
The 15-seat tea atelier is a collaboration between Japanese-style patisserie KOKO, managed by GAIA Group, and Kawane Matcha, which is now run by 13th-generation tea grower Kazuteru Ohashi. The idea is to bring more of the tea-making process into the café itself, from understanding the leaves and cultivars to watching matcha being whisked and even freshly milled before serving.
Tea from Kawane, Shizuoka
Kawane sits in the mountainous tea-growing region of Shizuoka, Japan’s largest tea-producing prefecture. Its elevation, mist, natural springs and mineral-rich soil slow the growth of tea leaves, which can help develop a more layered aroma and flavour.
Kawane Matcha traces its roots to the 1600s. Today, the Ohashi family continues to manage its fields according to the conditions of each plot and harvest rather than taking a uniform approach across the farm.
At KOKO Kawane, that provenance is intended to be part of the experience rather than simply background information. Guests can learn about tea harvesting at an interactive station, view tea samples and see a 3D model of the Ohashi family home and surrounding fields.
Three matcha latte styles, plus usucha and hojicha
The drinks menu gives diners several ways to compare Kawane tea. Matcha lattes come in three expressions: single-origin Okumidori (S$13.50), the Soemon Blend (S$12.50) and a House Blend (S$8.50).
Okumidori is described as full-bodied, with pronounced umami and a naturally sweet finish. The Soemon Blend combines Okumidori, Tsuyuhikari and Yabukita cultivars with other first-flush tea leaves, giving it a creamier profile with savoury and nutty notes. The House Blend is lighter, balancing umami with a gentler bitterness.
There is also a medium-roast Hojicha Latte (S$8), with hazelnut, malt and light cocoa notes. Lattes can be ordered hot or cold with dairy or oat milk at no extra charge. They are sweetened with raw cane sugar by default, although unsweetened versions are available on request.
For a more traditional preparation, usucha — or “thin tea” — is served with either Tsuyuhikari or Okumidori at S$7 each. A dine-in Usucha Flight (S$17) includes Tsuyuhikari, Soemon Blend and Okumidori side by side, making it easier to compare the differences between cultivars and blends.
The wider tea selection also includes Karigane Hojicha, Kasuga Hojicha and Fukamushi Sencha.
Freshly milled matcha for an extra S$1
One of the more unusual features is KOKO Kawane’s Daily Micro-Mill. The store uses a specialised low-heat Hibiki grinder to mill tencha — the shaded, steamed and dried tea leaves used to make matcha — into powder on site.
For an additional S$1, guests can order the Freshly Ground Matcha of the Day. The rotation may include Okumidori, Tsuyuhikari or the Soemon Blend, and the milling process takes about 10 minutes.
French-Japanese pastries inspired by Kawane
Head Pastry Chef Mei Kubota has created a pastry collection that draws on the landscape and tea harvests of Kawane while using French pastry techniques.
Midoba (S$10), shaped like a tea leaf, combines almond sponge, matcha crémeux, raspberry jam and matcha crunch under a matcha chocolate and hazelnut coating. Kohaku (S$10) leans into hojicha, pairing hojicha almond sponge and crémeux with hazelnut praline and passionfruit jam.
Kirizakura (S$12) takes the form of a white cherry blossom and layers light hojicha mousse with peach compote, hojicha almond sponge and black sesame crunch. Akane (S$12) combines coconut mousse, mango compote, matcha crémeux and matcha sponge, while signature dessert Hisui (S$14) brings together matcha mousse, hazelnut praline crunch, strawberry jam and matcha sponge.
Tea-and-sweet pairings, known as ochagashi, are also available at S$15. Tsuyuhikari is paired with Akane, while Okumidori is served with Kohaku.
Tea to take home
Selected teas are available for retail, including first-flush Tsuyuhikari and Okumidori matcha from the 2026 harvest at S$45 each, Soemon Blend at S$40 and Hojicha at S$20. A set containing all three matcha expressions is priced at S$115.
KOKO Kawane location and opening hours
KOKO Kawane
#01-02, The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
Singapore 138617
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 9pm
Last order: 8.30pm
Phone: +65 8209 7988
More information is available at kokokawane.sg and @kokokawane.sg on Instagram and TikTok.
Images: KOKO Kawane
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