Gan Tu An's Delicate Matcha Desserts Will Transport You to the Alleyways of Kyoto

After all the excesses of the Spring Festival break, we're looking for something green, refreshing, and healthy. In other words, it's the perfect time for matcha.

Gan Tu An, located in the maze-like basement of Hopson One, fashions itself after the quaint and iconic Japanese-style teahouses of Kyoto. Accordingly, sliding doors give way to lamps patterned with red-crowned cranes, cherry blossoms, and rabbits; fake cherry blossom adorns the walls; a shelf holds delicate teacups and pots; and there is even a wishing board full of wooden ema upon which people can write their prayers on. But don't be fooled, Gan Tu An is originally from Tianjin.

Everything on the menu is matcha related, including ice cream, cakes (RMB 23-35), mochi (RMB25), as well as the drinks (RMB 25-35). The matcha cheesecake (RMB 32) is gorgeous for its soothing color white-to- green gradient. The texture is airy like that of a mousse, with the typical toasty 'matcha' flavor and a bitter kick at the finish, while the base is sweet, dense, and has a touch of saltiness from sesame.

The taiyaki (鲷鱼烧, RMB 15, literally “baked sea bream” on account of its shape, took over 15 minutes to cook but was worth the wait. The exterior is made of sweet waffle batter, encasing a piping-hot azuki (red bean) bean paste filling, in turn wrapped with matcha-colored custard, and a dusting of matcha powder on top to level out the sweetness. 

Gan Tu An provides a big dose of Japanese elegance that will keep the selfie-taking set happy. Combined with their excellent menu offerings and a great location, we're sure this spot will remain popular for a long time to come, much like the traditions it espouses.

Gan Tu An
Daily 10am-9.30pm. B1-D12, 21 Block, Hopson One, 22 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District (6770 3792)
甘兔庵京都宇治茶本铺：朝阳区西大望路22号院合生汇21街区B1-D12

Mon-Thur 10am-10pm. Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (5905 1751)
朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾

Looking for something a little meatier? Gyu Tetsu yakiniku restaurant is a bonafide beef lover's paradise.

Photos: Tracy Wang