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In addition to being highly photogenic, matcha is seemingly ubiquitous in Las Vegas. Despite its current surge of popularity in America, the origin of matcha actually dates much further back than the modern day Instagram grid. The history of matcha can be traced back about a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty and eventually Japanese Zen Buddhists who grew the delicate tea leaves in the shade of their monasteries.
These days, the lime-colored green tea powder is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used to matcha-fy everything from lattes to crepes. Matcha lovers who’d like to find their fix in Las Vegas can get it at these five restaurants.
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A Hawaiian matcha cafe in Chinatown
In Honolulu, it’s known as Matcha Stand Maiko, but in Las Vegas it’s Matcha Cafe Maiko. The intimate, bright space in Chinatown is completely dedicated to the art of creative matcha menu items. Diners can order matcha lattes, floats, ice cream and frappes with toppings such as adzuki bean, chestnut, and matcha powder.
Matcha Cafe Maiko, 3400 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 3; 702-247-1779
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Henderson’s matcha shop
Matcha House Tea & Sweets is the go-to Henderson spot for traditional and distinct matcha offerings. The casual restaurant serves up premium Japanese matcha in flavors including peach, roasted buckwheat, and uji. There’s also matcha cheesecake, soft serve, and tins of matcha to take home.
Matcha House Tea and Sweets, 10090 S. Eastern Ave.; 702-272-2811
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Matcha for dessert
Spring Mountain Road is becoming an increasingly well-known dinner destination among locals and tourists, but it’s also a haven for dessert-lovers. Is Sweet is one such example. The charming dessert spot offers matcha teas and frappes plus matcha crepes which are best enjoyed with a side of green tea ice cream.
Is Sweet, 5288 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101; 702-527-5550
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Matcha tea in light bulb glasses
As far as presentation goes, it’s hard to beat Mr. Tea. The tea, coffee, and ice cream shop serves its drinks in lightbulb glasses decorated with cartoon faces. The menu includes banana, strawberry, and coffee matcha lattes with customizable levels of sweetness. Rolled ice cream and egg waffles are also available.
Mr. Tea, 6120 W. Tropicana Ave., Suite A17; 702-824-2258
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Hand-whisked matcha
Bover serves hand-whisked matcha that makes an appearance in matcha hokkaido, cheese lattes and milk lattes. The restaurant is also known for its signature mousse and bubble teas as well as a rotating selection of soft serve ice cream.
Bover, 1780 N. Buffalo Drive, Suite 107; 702-778-5757
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