In Vietnam, a coffee powerhouse, the matcha specialty café is where young people now flock in droves. Running at the front of that pack is Atelier Matcha, a Japan-born brand that puts Kyoto-Uji matcha center stage. It opened its first overseas shop in a prime location in the Ben Nghe area of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1, capturing the segment seeking “an option other than coffee” with authentic matcha whisked cup by cup and limited menus incorporating Vietnamese touches.
| Genre | Matcha |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan (a Kyoto-Uji matcha brand) |
| Coverage area | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Number of locations | 1 outlet (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) |
| Signature menu | The Uji Matcha Latte and Coconut Milk MATCHA Latte are the signature menu |
| Official site | https://www.instagram.com/ateliermatchavn/ |
What is Atelier Matcha? A Kyoto-Uji matcha brand's chosen first overseas shop
The founding story
Atelier Matcha is a Japan-born matcha brand built around Kyoto-Uji matcha. On April 30, 2025, it opened its first overseas shop in the Ben Nghe area of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The address is 21 Nguyễn Trung Ngạn. In a central commercial area dense with offices and restaurants, it's an easy place to drop into for both sightseeing and business.
Behind Vietnam being chosen as the site of the first overseas shop is Ho Chi Minh City's fast-growing matcha market and high affinity for Japanese food. Maintaining the same quality standards as in Japan while adding tweaks tailored to Vietnam's food culture—it puts the typical localization strategy of a global brand into practice through the medium of matcha.
Why it resonates with Ho Chi Minh City's youth
In Vietnam, matcha drinks spread rapidly from around 2024. Chains like Phuc Long and Katinat carry matcha items, and specialty shops like Nagocha Matcha, MIYAEN, and Yakishime have appeared in various cities. Within that, Atelier Matcha differentiates with the added value of “a direct line from the Japanese head shop, Kyoto quality,” winning support from those seeking a genuine matcha experience.
For Japanese, it's a reassuring taste; for Vietnamese and foreign tourists, it's a precious shop to touch “authentic matcha.” The very act of carefully whisking each cup brings a new flow of time to a city of coffee culture.
Atelier Matcha's signature menu and flavors
The menu puts Kyoto-Uji matcha center stage while offering limited drinks and pastries tailored to the Vietnamese market. Using ceremonial-grade matcha, it spans widely from a straightforward bowl to enjoy plain, to lattes and Western confectionery.
Coconut Milk MATCHA Latte (Vietnam-exclusive)
A limited item unique to the Vietnam outlet. Inspired by Vietnam's beloved way of drinking coconut coffee, it combines the mellow sweetness of coconut milk with the gentle bitterness of Uji matcha. A combination that's approachable for Vietnamese and fresh for Japanese, it has gathered signature-level popularity.
Uji Matcha Latte
A staple using high-quality Kyoto-Uji matcha, whisked cup by cup and combined with milk. You can feel the richness and body unique to ceremonial-grade matcha—a cup for those who want to confirm the taste of matcha itself.
Other popular drinks
| Drink | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Uji Matcha (straight) | Ceremonial-grade matcha whisked and served cup by cup. For those who want to confirm the authentic taste |
| Iced Matcha Latte | The signature matcha latte served cold. Enjoy the matcha flavor even in hot Ho Chi Minh City |
Food and sweets
A range of pastries crossing Kyoto and French elements, such as matcha croissants and canelé. In Vietnam, where coffee dominates, a Western/Japanese confectionery crossover centered on matcha makes for a fresh experience.
Cups that win over reviewers
We have rounded up the well-reviewed items that come up again and again in travel and food-site reviews (focusing on dishes praised across multiple reviews).
| Menu | Why reviewers rate it |
|---|---|
| Straight Matcha (Usucha) | As a shop directly importing matcha from Yamamasa Koyamaen of Kyoto-Uji, reviews recommending the straight cup with no added milk or sweetener to purists stand out. There are both voices praising the deep umami and gentle bitterness and voices saying the bitterness is on the strong side |
| Coconut Milk Matcha Latte | A cup often introduced as an arrangement unique to the Vietnam outlet. Reviews recommend the combination of coconut milk's light sweetness and matcha flavor as easy to drink in the hot season |
| Matcha Canelé | Among the baked goods using matcha and hojicha, it comes up in reviews as an item to pair with a drink. Some voices note that the crêpe-type items, by contrast, divide opinion compared with the drinks |
Atelier Matcha's locations and tips for stopping by
Scale and coverage area
Currently one outlet, in the Ben Nghe area of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. On sightseeing and business routes, it's easy to combine with a stroll around Ben Thanh Market or Dong Khoi Street.
Main cities where you can enjoy this store:Ho Chi Minh City. You can check each city's tourist information from its city page.
The atmosphere at Atelier Matcha and how to spend your time
Features of the interior and design
The interior is a bright, street-facing space with over 40 seats. Wooden warmth and white-based minimalism coexist, and it also works as a photogenic spot. Watching each cup of matcha being carefully whisked, you can spend time where Ho Chi Minh City's energy and Japan's calm coexist.
From the window seats you can enjoy a cup while gazing toward Dong Khoi Street. It's used for a wide range of purposes—between sightseeing, for work meetings, for gatherings of resident Japanese.
Wi-Fi, power outlets, and how easy it is to linger
Because of its central District 1 location, weekday lunchtimes see business use, while weekend afternoons fill with local young people. If you want a calm time, the morning right after opening or the period before the weekend rush are good bets.
Atelier Matcha's price guide and payment
Payment supports cash and card. Despite the tourist-area location, it's easy to try as a specialty shop offering an authentic matcha experience.
Prices can change by store and season. Check the latest at the counter or on the official menu.
Atelier Matcha: map, access, and ordering tips
Located in central District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, it's introduced as a bright, open interior easy to drop into between bouts of city sightseeing.
Vietnamese phrases for ordering
Here are the basic phrases that come in handy locally. Pointing works, but adding a word makes ordering smoother.
| Vietnamese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi một … | One [drink], please |
| nóng / đá | Hot / iced |
| ít đường | Less sweet |
| không đường | No sugar |
| ít đá | Less ice |
| mang đi | Takeout |
| ở đây | For here |
| tính tiền | The check, please |
| nóng / đá | You can choose hot or iced |
You can check the latest menu, prices, hours, and store listOfficial sitehere.
What to know before visiting Atelier Matcha
How to enjoy it smartly
Right after the 8 a.m. opening is the time you can most fully savor the air of quietly whisked matcha. For photos or meeting up, the period before the weekday lunchtime or evening rush is recommended.
First confirm the ingredient's taste with straight Uji matcha, then move to the Vietnam-exclusive Coconut Milk MATCHA Latte to get a good sense of the shop's character.
Points to note
Matcha grades and limited menus can change by season. To be sure of the cup you're after, check the latest on the official Instagram (@ateliermatchavn) before visiting.
🗺️ If you also want to compare it with other cafés,Vietnam's 30 Popular Cafés: A Thorough Comparison Guidelets you browse from a single list.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Atelier Matcha's matcha from?
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It's a Japan-born brand built around Kyoto-Uji matcha, serving ceremonial-grade matcha whisked cup by cup.
- Where is the shop located?
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21 Nguyễn Trung Ngạn in the Ben Nghe area of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It opened as the first overseas shop on April 30, 2025.
- Are there Vietnam-exclusive menu items?
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The Coconut Milk MATCHA Latte is the flagship. It's a locally exclusive arranged drink inspired by Vietnam's coconut coffee culture.
- Is it easy for Japanese or foreign tourists to enter?
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A bright, street-facing space with over 40 seats, in a location easy to drop into between sightseeing and business. It's supported by those seeking authentic matcha.
- When is the best time to visit?
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For a quiet time, right after the 8 a.m. opening. Weekend afternoons through evening fill with local young people, so for photos or meeting up, aim for the period before the weekday lunchtime or evening rush.
