Canberra's Civic precinct has welcomed a sophisticated new destination for tea enthusiasts with the opening of Ujin Matcha House. This chic cafe, located at 64 Northbourne Avenue, has rapidly transformed from what owner Tina Phommasone envisioned as a quiet retreat into a bustling hub for matcha lovers.
A Surprising Success Story
Phommasone, who recently relocated from Sydney, anticipated serving perhaps one customer per hour when she opened Ujin in January. Instead, the venue has been consistently busy, with queues forming regularly and patrons flowing through the doors throughout the day. The black and green themed space features striking bonsai plants along the counter where staff in black attire expertly prepare matcha beverages.
Authentic Japanese Matcha Experience
Named after Japan's famous Uji region, renowned for producing the world's finest green tea, Ujin Matcha House offers a curated selection that highlights the distinct characteristics of different matcha blends. The cafe serves four specific matcha varieties, each with unique flavour profiles influenced by their Japanese growing regions.
"We offer four blends of matcha, and all four of them are different - it's up to your preference," explains Phommasone. Customers can customize their drinks by specifying sweetness levels and choosing from several milk options, including coconut water.
Beyond Just Another Trend
While matcha has gained popularity in Australia as a health-conscious alternative to coffee, Phommasone emphasizes its deep cultural significance. "It's a way of life in Japanese and other Asian cultures, and has been for centuries," she notes. The cafe aims to educate patrons about matcha's complexities, moving beyond its current trend status to appreciate its historical and cultural context.
The matcha served at Ujin comes directly from Japan, with specific regional designations that affect flavour characteristics. Factors including soil composition, local climate, and harvest timing create distinct differences between varieties. Two of Ujin's offerings - Zuisho from Kyoto and Yumei from Shizuoka - come from the prized first harvest, described as having superior quality.
More Than Just Tea
Beyond traditional matcha preparations, Ujin offers bright green soft-serve ice cream, frothy matcha lattes, and other chilled confections. The cafe also serves additional tea varieties including Earl Grey, taro, and Thai milk tea, though notably excludes coffee from its menu entirely.
Trent Esmerian, Phommasone's partner and a Canberra business owner who helped establish Ujin, compares matcha quality to coffee standards. "If you've only had bad matcha, don't judge all of matcha on that," he suggests, drawing parallels to experiencing only low-quality coffee.
Premium Quality at Accessible Prices
While some matcha blends can sell for up to $2500 per kilogram, Ujin offers cups ranging from $9 to $13.50, making premium matcha experiences accessible to Canberra residents. The cafe plans to feature ultra-premium varieties as monthly specials.
Esmerian observes that Canberrans demonstrate particular enthusiasm for quality offerings. "The thing I've figured out with Canberra is, as long as the product is enough to excite people and they feel it's value for money, people will go out of their way to visit a place," he remarks.
A Cultural Exchange Through Tea
Originally from Pakse in southern Laos, Phommasone brings her personal passion for matcha to Canberra's food scene. Her decision to open Ujin stemmed partly from her inability to find unsweetened matcha options after moving to the capital in July.
The cafe's success reflects growing Australian appreciation for matcha's documented health benefits, including antioxidant properties that support brain function and metabolism. This aligns with broader wellness trends while connecting to centuries-old traditions.
Located on the corner of Northbourne and Bunda Streets, Ujin Matcha House has quickly established itself as a destination worth seeking out in Canberra's Civic precinct, proving that specialty venues can thrive when they offer authentic experiences that resonate with local communities.
