Oishi Bar à Matcha Montreal | Best Matcha Drinks & Desserts
If you love matcha, authentic Japanese teas, and delicious homemade desserts, then you need to check out Oishi Bar à Matcha in Montreal. This charming little gem is a wonderful place to discover traditional Japanese teas, handmade sweets, mochi, and creamy matcha ice cream.
Located at 1289 Rue Beaubien E., Oishi Bar à Matcha is just a seven-minute walk from Beaubien Metro Station, making it an easy stop when exploring Montreal's Mile End area.
I discovered this hidden gem by accident, and it turned out to be such a wonderful surprise. The shop is cozy, inviting, and filled with beautiful details that immediately caught my attention. The traditional teas and variety of teapots are proudly displayed throughout the shop, giving you a glimpse into the Japanese tea experience as soon as you walk through the door. The staff were also incredibly friendly and welcoming—some of the nicest I've encountered in a long time.
I was immediately impressed by the variety of traditional Japanese teas and the many flavours available. Oishi Bar à Matcha also offers more than 500 varieties of loose-leaf tea and features an impressive collection of pu-erh tea products. Whether you're a serious tea lover or simply looking for a unique matcha cafe in Montreal, Oishi Bar à Matcha is definitely worth visiting.
The History of Tea in Japan
The history of tea in Japan dates back to as early as the 8th century, when tea was first mentioned in Japanese records. Tea was originally enjoyed primarily by the religious and royal classes, particularly after Japanese monks and envoys travelled to China to study its culture, religion, and traditions and brought tea back with them.
Buddhist monks Kūkai and Saichō are believed to have played an important role in introducing tea to Japan. The earliest tea brought from China was likely compressed or brick tea, which was prepared differently from many of the teas enjoyed in Japan today.
Tea eventually became popular among Japan's royal class. Emperor Saga encouraged the cultivation of tea plants, and tea seeds were imported from China to establish tea cultivation in Japan. Over the centuries, tea became deeply connected to Japanese culture and traditions, eventually developing into the sophisticated tea practices that Japan is known for today.
Today, Japanese tea is celebrated around the world, from vibrant matcha and traditional green teas to the beautiful rituals surrounding Japanese tea preparation. Visiting a place like Oishi Bar à Matcha offers a wonderful opportunity to experience a small part of this long and fascinating tea tradition right here in Montreal.
Thés Guru Teas
Oishi Bar à Matcha also features an impressive selection of Thés Guru (Tguru) teas, with a wide variety of loose-leaf teas displayed throughout the shop. Thés Guru is a Montreal tea company founded in 2003 that specializes in premium teas and herbal teas from around the world. The company offers nearly 600 varieties, including different tea families, blends, and specialty teas.
Beautiful Tea Displays at Oishi Bar à Matcha
The decor at Oishi Bar à Matcha is simply gorgeous. More than 100 beautiful teapots and tea sets are displayed throughout the shop, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for tea lovers. The walls are also decorated with an impressive selection of teas and ceremonial matcha sets, making the entire space feel like a small tea gallery.
The teas at Oishi are organized into different categories, making it easier to explore the selection based on tea family, origin, specialty, and aroma. Some of the tea families available include white, green, Wulong, aged, red, and black teas.
Variety of Tea Blends
Oishi also carries a selection of blends from Thés Guru (TGuru), including several specialty blends with unique names and flavour profiles.
Some of the blends you may find include:
ZenO Blend
Flu-Breaker Blend
Focus Blend
Enerj Mixture
Boreal Blend
Morpheus Blend
Red Moon Blend
And more!
With so many teas, blends, teapots, and accessories to explore, Oishi Bar à Matcha is more than just a place to grab a matcha drink—it is a wonderful destination for anyone interested in tea culture.
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Oishi Bar à Matcha Menu
Oishi Bar à Matcha offers two different menus, making it easy to explore both its specialty drinks and traditional teas. The main menu features a selection of matcha drinks, parfaits, and desserts, while the second menu focuses on traditional teas.
Some of the delicious items available on the main menu include Wagashi Nerikiri, Oishi Parfait, and soft-serve matcha ice cream. With so many unique options to choose from, there is something for both matcha lovers and anyone looking to try a traditional Japanese-inspired dessert.
What I Ordered at Oishi Bar à Matcha
During my visit to Oishi Bar à Matcha, I couldn't resist trying a few of their delicious matcha desserts. Here's what I ordered:
Flotteur à la Crème Glacée au Matcha
Parfait Oishi
Gaufres Taiyaki (Matcha & Azuki)
During my visit, I ordered three items from the menu, and each was delicious in its own way. The first item I tried was the matcha float with soft-serve ice cream. I enjoyed the combination of oat milk, creamy soft-serve ice cream, and rich matcha. It was refreshing and felt like the perfect dessert for a warm summer day. The soft-serve ice cream was smooth and delicious, while the matcha had a wonderful flavour without being overly bitter. When combined, the ingredients created a creamy, refreshing, and perfectly balanced drink.
Next, I tried the Oishi Parfait, and to be honest, this dessert was my favourite item of the three. I loved the combination of soft-serve ice cream, tiny mochi pieces, and the rich flavour of matcha. Every bite had a nice combination of creamy and chewy textures. This is definitely a dessert I would order again on my next visit.
The last item I ordered was the Taiyaki Waffle, which comes in three different flavours: Matcha & Azuki (red bean), Hojicha & White Chocolate, and Earl Grey & White Chocolate. I chose the Matcha & Azuki filling, and it was delicious. The waffle came straight out of the oven, so it was warm and crispy on the outside while remaining soft and warm on the inside. The matcha and sweet azuki filling made a delicious combination, and I enjoyed the contrast between the crispy waffle and warm filling.
My Final Thoughts on Oishi Bar à Matcha
I loved my visit to Oishi Bar à Matcha. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by friendly and helpful staff who took the time to explain the menu and answer my questions. Oishi has a beautiful traditional yet modern atmosphere, and I loved the decor, handmade teapots, and overall experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ordered. The matcha was top-notch, and each dessert was delicious. You can tell that a lot of love and care goes into the food, drinks, and products offered at Oishi, and that attention to detail really comes through in the taste and aroma.
Whether you're looking to catch up with friends, enjoy a romantic date, or simply relax with a delicious matcha latte, Oishi Bar à Matcha is a wonderful place to visit in Montreal.
If you're interested in Japanese tea culture, Oishi also offers tea ceremony workshops that can be booked online. Their website also features a variety of teas, teapots, and other items available for purchase.
Things to Know Before Visiting Oishi Bar à Matcha
Seating is available for individuals as well as groups of 4–8 people.
Oishi serves high-quality Japanese matcha.
The staff are friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
Handmade teapots, teas, and other tea-related items are available for purchase.
More than 25 varieties of ceremonial matcha from Japan are available.
The shop offers approximately 500 varieties of loose-leaf tea.
An assortment of aged puerh teas is also available.
Tea ceremony workshops are available for those who want to learn more about Japanese tea traditions.
For more information about Oishi Bar à Matcha, workshops, teas, and products, check out Oishi's official website.
Located in: Thés Guru Teas
Address: 1289 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1V1
Phone: (514) 727-3907
Menu: t-oasis.ca
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