In the FoodEEs series, El Estoque staff members take on different food establishments, reviewing the menu items based on taste, price and authenticity.
Matcha Town is a new matcha specialty shop in Cupertino offering a menu of matcha-based drinks, gelato and desserts. Since its grand opening on Jan. 16, the store has seen long lines spilling onto the sidewalks during weekends. Despite its growing popularity, wait times after ordering remain relatively short, averaging around five to 10 minutes. The matcha gelato is a popular menu item, offering five matcha intensity levels ranging from mild to highly concentrated, catering to both casual matcha consumers and enthusiasts.
Upon entering the store, the space feels slightly cramped, with the gelato line occupying much of the already limited seating area. Seating options are minimal, with a single long bench and two small tables. With green and black accents spread around for a sophisticated vibe, the interior blends modern and natural decorative styles. Electronic signs appear along the walls as well as displays of the brand’s products, while thin metal tables and silver countertops contrast with mahogany paneling, marble counters and plant decor. Despite the tight layout, the staff remains attentive and accommodating, asking customers about allergies. The store also offers both wide straws for toppings and thin straws for flavor enhancement.
Pink Guava Matcha ($6.95)
With vibrant green matcha foam layered over a light pink guava base, the colors of the Pink Guava Matcha exude a playful and sophisticated vibe. The drink’s overall flavor palette contains enough complexity to be rebranded as a standalone drink without matcha. The guava base is creamy and indulgent, with floral notes lingering behind its exotic fragrance. However, the matcha lacks a distinct presence even after mixing — difficult to fully differentiate, yet it did not integrate well into the drink either — leaving it in an awkward middle ground. The two flavors clash noticeably, rendering the flavor confusing rather than novel. Even though the colors appease the eyes, the Pink Guava Matcha paints an incongruous image for the taste buds.
RATING: 3/5
Matcha Gelato no.4 with Waffle Cone ($6.95)
Matcha Gelato no.4, one of Matcha Town’s most popular gelato flavors, did not disappoint. Although it had an intense matcha flavor, Matcha Town’s gelato was surprisingly less bitter than expected. The sweetness was sufficient to balance the matcha’s inherent bitterness without overstepping its earthy umami, resulting in a pleasant amalgamation of flavors. Despite a couple of air pockets, the gelato was dense and biteable, with every smooth and silky bite melting on the tongue. The house-made waffle cone was delightfully crunchy, but not especially notable. However, it did add to the sensory experience, providing crispy contrast for the soft gelato. The gelato’s only downside is that it melts rather quickly, resulting in a memorable, although rushed, experience.
RATING: 4.5/5
Salted Cheese Matcha Float ($9.50)
The Salted Cheese Matcha Float leaves a strong first impression with its glossy, aesthetic appearance, showing attention to detail through the distinct layering of milk and matcha, topped neatly with a scoop of matcha gelato. The drink itself has a smooth, creamy consistency that makes it enjoyable to sip, and the gelato on top adds a rich, earthy matcha flavor that complements the overall sweetness without overpowering the drink. Despite requesting ‘light ice,’ the drink arrived with too much ice, resulting in a watered down experience. Additionally, the salted cheese flavor is barely noticeable in its subtlety, falling short of what the name promises. Ultimately, while the float is visually appealing and provides a smooth, sweet matcha flavor, it’s quite expensive for its size and what it has to offer.
RATING: 3.5/5
White Champaca Gelato ($7.50)
The White Champaca Gelato immediately stands out with its unique flavor profile, led by a light floral aroma. Champaca, a floral note more commonly associated with fragrance than desserts, made the gelato feel unexpected and intriguing, setting it apart from more traditional flavors such as matcha and chocolate. The champaca is slightly intense upon the first bite before mellowing into a pleasant, lingering floral sweetness. Pistachio cookie crumb bits are scattered throughout, adding a subtle nutty contrast and a satisfying crunch that balances the creaminess and texture of the gelato. Although the scoop was generously portioned, it melted quickly, which made it a bit difficult to enjoy. Overall, while pricier than traditional ice cream, the White Champaca Gelato was indulgent and worth each bite, especially with the pistachio cookie crunch tying everything together.
RATING: 4.5/5
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
OVERALL PRICE: $$/$$$
Generally, the strength of Matcha Town’s items lie in their visual appeal, with products and packaging carefully curated to give off a naturally sophisticated vibe. Taste-wise, the drinks offer novel but unrefined combinations, and pale in comparison to their gelato counterparts — the highlight of the store. While the overall price ranges slightly above average, the quality of their gelato is certainly worth the tradeoff, and their matcha drinks, while lacking in some ways, has their own appeal. Matcha Town lives up to its name, and the color and taste of their matcha speak for itself. However, don’t feel constrained by the name, there are still plenty of non-matcha menu items potentially worth trying out.
