Bouche is Buona Vista’s latest viral matcha spot. It’s CDC-friendly and under a HDB, too!

Buona Vista has welcomed yet another cafe — Bouche, a new matcha spot that has already been drawing attention online.

Singapore isn’t short on matcha cafes, but finding one that strikes the right balance can be a challenge. Even as someone who doesn’t usually reach for matcha, I found Bouche’s rendition surprisingly approachable: Rich and earthy without being overly bitter, with a smoothness that makes it easy to drink.

That approachable quality is perhaps fitting, given Bouche’s rather unassuming beginnings.

The idea for Bouche grew from its founder’s interest in matcha and his desire to create something for people his age. (He’s 23 and declined to be named.)

He learnt to make matcha largely through trial and error, picking up tips from TikTok and visiting other matcha cafes along the way.

The name “Bouche” comes from amuse-bouche, with “bouche” meaning “mouth” in French — a nod to his aim of creating drinks with an explosion of flavours.

When it came to choosing a location, Holland Village stood out for its mix of office workers and students from the schools and universities nearby. Its relatively quiet surroundings also gave him the chance to introduce something geared towards a younger crowd.

Say hello to Bouche!

Nestled beneath an HDB block, Bouche is a cosy neighbourhood matcha spot that feels refreshingly unfussy.

The small cafe seats only a handful of people, so it can get a little squeezy when the crowds start coming in. But fret not — Bouche has a couple of camping chairs set up just outside, where you can kick back and enjoy your matcha if it gets too packed indoors.

Step inside and the cafe carries the same aesthetic, Instagram-worthy charm. There are plenty of little photo spots scattered around the space, including an old-school TV screen cleverly repurposed for “mirror selfies”.

Now, on to what I’m really here for: The drinks.

Of course, its matcha drinks are the star of the show. There’s plenty of room to make your matcha your own, too. 

Besides choosing your sweetness level, you can pick between two matcha powders: Tenzo, which produces creamy, umami notes, or Samidori, which has a stronger, nuttier profile reminiscent of kinako (roasted soybean powder).

After placing your order, keep your camera ready for collection, as the baristas will ask if you’d like them to do the final pour right in front of you. I had to film mine, of course.

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The Earth Day (S$9.90) is hard to miss with its dreamy, cloud-inspired look. Topped with blue pea cold foam and served in a cup decorated with little white clouds, the drink comes together to resemble a blue sky. The foam is poured over the matcha right in front of you, making it all the more satisfying to watch — and film! 

I went with the suggested pairing of no sugar and Tenzo matcha powder, which resulted in a creamy, umami-forward matcha that avoided being overly sweet.

You’re supposed to sip the drink straight from the lid rather than use a straw, so you get a bit of that creamy foam in every sip.

Another highlight is the earl grey matcha (S$8.90), which pairs matcha with earl grey-infused milk and royal earl grey jelly. For this, I went with the suggested combination of less sugar and Tenzo matcha powder, which kept the drink creamy and balanced without masking the fragrant tea.

If you’re looking to venture beyond the classics, there’s also the pistachio matcha (S$8.90), which adds a nutty richness to the drink. The Tokyo Fog (S$7.90), which combines earl grey cold brew with matcha cold foam, is good if you’re after something lighter.

Prefer hojicha? Its menu has two options: the classic hojicha (S$6.90) and Strawbs hojicha (S$7.90), with the latter paired with strawberry compote. 

I went for the strawberry option, which added a fruity sweetness that complemented the roasted notes of the hojicha without overpowering it.

Bouche also offers coffee and refreshers. Its “No-Frills” cold brew (S$3.90) is a medium-dark roast with notes of dark chocolate and toasted nuts, promising a bold yet low-acidity brew. 

If you have a sweet tooth, the peach Einspanner and choco Einspanner, both priced at S$6.90, are available, too.

Round out the drinks with a bite. Bouche also offers Basque cheesecakes in two flavours: Creamy (S$6.90) and matcha (S$7.90).

Of the two, I’d recommend the original if you’re already having a matcha drink and want something to balance it out. But if you’re a matcha fan to the core, definitely go for the matcha version — it’s also one of Bouche’s more popular picks. 

Both are soft and creamy, with a light sponge layer at the bottom, making them great accompaniments to the rich drinks.

If you’re in the area or simply craving a new matcha spot to check out, Bouche is one to add to your list, especially for its Insta-worthy drinks and creative matcha creations.

If you see yourself coming back often, Bouche also offers an S$50 membership that gets you any seven drinks. Definitely something to consider if you live nearby!

Looking for more matcha spots to check out? Read about Naocha, a new home-based matcha spot in Aljunied, and Kin Joe Coffee at Beauty World, serving up a unique matcha chendol.