Matji & Co.
House usucha
The Quiet BowlSpring-picked matcha, sifted twice, whisked to a standing foam. We warm the bowl before we make the tea; the second warming is for luck we don't believe in and won't skip.
The cafe
Four seats. One kettle. No queue.
Everything on this page is made inside the story, and you may order it into your part of the story. Choose your bowls, leave a name, and a very small crew will see to the rest.
The ritual
Whisked like it matters
Every bowl leaves this counter the same way, there being only one right way:
1Warm the bowlWarmed first, always. Cold porcelain is a small unkindness, and we are not in that business.
2Sift the powderTwo scoops through the sieve, so the matcha falls like weather.
3Whisk until it standsFast, then faster, then still. The foam must stand up properly. It knows when it hasn't.
The menu — drinks
The bowls
One for the house, and one for each of the eight. Every drink is somebody's whole personality.
Itji's
Bright usucha
First SipA lighter scoop, whisked bright, taken best sitting close to the bowl — the way everything is worth seeing the first time. Itji supervises from the rim.
Katjo's
Koicha, thick-whisked
The InspectionKoicha, thick and dark and entirely serious. It passes the foam protocol before it leaves the counter. It has never once failed to leave the counter.
Botja's
Iced matcha, shaken
Get-Up-EightShaken over ice until slightly too tall, and served anyway. It comes with a lid. The ceiling has asked twice.
Yutju's
Matcha latte
The Warm SpotSteamed milk, poured without hurry, into a cup we warmed twice. To be drunk in the sunny seat if it's free. It is rarely free.
Motje's
Hojicha, roasted
The Little GiftHojicha, roasted and quiet, with the one sweet the afternoon happens to need. Motje chooses. Motje has not yet been wrong.
Dotjo's
Genmaicha
The FoundationGenmaicha — toasted rice, steady leaf, no surprises. The cup the rest of the day can stand on.
Pitja's
Sparkling yuzu matcha
The Next CornerCold, faintly yuzu, and fizzy, which nobody asked for. Pitja made it anyway. Kindly form a queue.
Watje's
Matcha au lait
One Beat LaterMatcha au lait, arriving a moment after you expected it and a little better than you hoped. We time it that way. Mostly.
The menu — sweets
From the neighbours
Ume-san's Matcha Anpan
Her dough, our foam — the treaty bun, two signatures on the little card. Baked three doors down and delivered at a professional trot.
Kobayashi-san's Silken Set
Chilled silken tofu with kuromitsu, from the shop that opens at four. “…Acceptable.” — Kobayashi-san, on his own life's work.
Hara-san's Thursday Biscuits
Plain biscuits, correct for crosswords. Available every day; at their best on Thursdays, beside the good pen.
Bathhouse Warm Milk
Yuki-san's standard rate for small helpers, now offered to the public. Just under too-warm. Exactly over just-right.
The menu — take home
For your own counter
Matcha Tin No. 4
Forty grams of the good spring powder, wrapped in cloth and tied to survive a bicycle basket. The tin is number four. The assistants are not included.
The counter
Your order
Order slip
Order № 000
MATJI!
Show this slip at the counter. We'll begin when the kettle agrees — four seats, and the sunny one goes first. Your foam will be inspected by a very small team with high standards.