Bon Bon Matcha: Humble coffeeshop stall at Haji Lane that serves quality matcha
A new matcha-focused coffeeshop stall has quietly opened at Haji Lane and if you’re serious about your green tea — especially its origins — Bon Bon Matcha has to be at the top of your list.
Behind the stall is Japanese native Kanae Yagi, 45, who previously ran Bon Bon Coffee at Taste Orchard for 10 months.
When the speciality coffee concept wrapped up in July 2025, Kanae took it as a sign to give her long-held matcha idea a go — in a more intimate, hawker-style format.
Bon Bon Matcha opened at Haji Lane Food Corner in October 2025.
Here, the offerings are intentional and focused. Kanae says that she wanted to “narrow down and curate offerings that would appeal to Singaporeans’ tastes and preferences”.
This explains its short-and-sweet menu: Three matcha drinks priced from S$6 to S$8, alongside matcha soft serve (from S$5), and even matcha roll slice (S$5.50).
Kanae is especially deliberate about where her matcha comes from. Amid a global matcha shortage — and a local obsession with big-name origins, in particular from Uji, Kyoto — Kanae notes that matcha powder prices have become inflated in recent years, and there’s an increasing lack of transparency regarding its quality, especially as it becomes more popular.
Speaking as a Japanese native, Kanae says her goal is to make good matcha more visible and accessible.
At Bon Bon Matcha, you’ll find two single-origin powders flown in directly from Japan and purchased straight from farmers: Towa matcha from Shizuoka, which is lighter with a gentle sweetness, and Wazakura matcha from Mie — a region Kanae calls a “hidden gem” — with bolder, more umami-forward flavours, yet still smooth on the finish.
Kanae has plans for a second outlet at Tanjong Pagar Plaza, serving up the same matcha line-up, but with coffee, shio pan, and even matcha-Sapporo beer! It is set to open in March 2026.
In essence, Bon Bon Matcha is about serving authentic matcha, while supporting smaller-scale farmers and encouraging enthusiasts to re-think what “good matcha” really means.
The name reflects this principle, too — inspired by bonsai, “Bon Bon” speaks to the patience and care that go into sourcing matcha powders from Japan.
Matcha all day, everyday
Of the three matcha drinks on the menu, the housemade strawberry matcha latte (S$8) easily stole the show. It’s crafted with Wazakura matcha and features a slightly dark-toned strawberry paste that caught our attention right away.
The depth comes from kibizato — a minimally processed, light brown Okinawan cane sugar that’s commonly known as red sugar — chosen for its aroma and delicate sweetness. Kanae uses it to sweeten the handcrafted strawberry puree and across all of Bon Bon’s matcha drinks.
As for the taste? It’s really, really, really good. The strawberry puree is gently sweet, yet rich, allowing the mildly umami, thick matcha to shine. Together, the drink is balanced, harmonious, and dangerously easy to finish.
The iced matcha latte (S$6) is a solid, no-fuss pick — and the only drink on the menu where you can choose your preferred matcha powder. We went with Towa, since the other two drinks are made with Wazakura matcha.
The result? True to its reputation, the latte is light on the palate, and carries the familiar, subtle notes of matcha.
This drink will easily be a go-to for those who like their matcha smooth and well-rounded with a pleasant finish.
Meanwhile, the iced coconut matcha cold foam (S$8) here is underrated.
While coconut matcha isn’t new to Singapore, good versions are rare — too often, the coconut overwhelms the matcha, or the drink lands flat.
Bon Bon’s rendition, however, hits the sweet spot: The matcha cold foam brings subtle buttery notes, thanks to the addition of whipping cream, and comes together nicely with the refreshing coconut water in the best way possible.
Bon Bon Matcha also offers a matcha roll slice (S$5.50) that’s baked by Kanae. The sponge cake is made with Towa matcha, while the filling is a velvety cream infused with Wazakura matcha.
The result? It’s not too sweet at all. It gently grows on you with each bite, striking a pleasing balance between the sweetness and soft bitterness that comes from marrying two distinct matcha powders.
If you love ice cream, go straight for the matcha soft serve (from S$5). According to Kanae, the soft-serve is sourced from well-known Japanese ice-cream provider Nissei, so you can expect the real deal.
We went with the small size, which comes with two toppings of your choice — we chose azuki red bean and warabimochi — for just S$6.
It’s everything you’d want from a good soft-serve: Silky and creamy with clean, green tea notes.
So if you love all things matcha, Bon Bon Matcha is well-worth a visit.
This was a hosted tasting.
Hungry for more eats? Check out the Japanese soft crepe spot at *Scape opened by two Gen-Z founders and the ‘gram-worthy Japandi-style dining spot Van Kafe at Jurong.
Wed 1pm - 7.30pm
Thu 1pm - 7.30pm
Fri 1pm - 7.30pm
Sat 1pm - 7.30pm
Sun 1pm - 7.30pm
- Bugis
- Jalan Besar
Shannon has the taste buds of a grandmother and perpetually struggles with a food coma.
Read more stories from this writer.
