Tsujiri, Japanese Matcha cafe in Richmond

Following the arrival of Nana’s Green Tea, Tsujiri also opened their first North America store in Richmond February 2019. We came to Tsujiri after having dinner at a nearby restaurant also in the SmartCentres Richmond North.

Strength: Premium ingredients, comfortable atmosphere.

Weakness: Overpriced desserts

Other Japanese Desserts

• Nana’s Green Tea (4.5 Stars)
• Marulilu Cafe (4 Stars)

Separated seating area

Tsujiri is one dessert restaurant that is separated into two different seating areas. The one in front of the cashier is more casual, and there is also a walled off separate dining area up the ramp that is more private. There are some items on the menu you can only enjoy in this secluded area, so we know we have to try it.

This secluded area has two staff stationed to assign seats. We waited for about 10 minutes to get into the private area, but we got assigned a seat at the casual area. I think this is a little strange that they are making rules they do not follow.

Origin of Matcha chart

I like how they included their matcha making process on the menu. It makes me feel more confident in their product.

Matcha parfait

The matcha parfait is packed with goodies like usual. It is Tsujiri’s signature to put a tea box monaka on top of their parfait. The matcha soft served ice cream are well distributed in layers. This parfait comes with a sweet chestnut on top, matcha warabi mochi, asuki bean paste, siratama, and to my surprise, a layer of yuzu rare cheesecake.

I like the rich matcha flavour from the soft served ice cream, but find it a little too sweet. It is already starting to melt, so the texture is a little sluggish instead of a refreshing. Siratama rice cake is a little warm, so that didn’t really help. The matcha warabi mochi also has a rich matcha flavour to the point that it is a little bitter.

Sakura Parfait

The Sakura parfait is pretty much like the matcha parfait except some swapping of toppings. The biggest difference is the sakura kuzu mochi. This is what they meant by “sakura surprise” on the menu. I don’t find the sakura parfait too memorable so I still prefer the original matcha parfait.

604 Food Critic Assessment

Compared to Nana’s Green Tea‘s $9.80 parfait, Tsujiri’s $14 parfait feels like a whole other ball game. The parfait at Tsujiri is 150% more expensive, but they seem to use more interesting toppings. I’m not sure if these topping is worth the extra $4 to you. The lone line up seems to indicate the worthiness of these toppings. I personally cannot justify the cost because they simply can charge higher for a parfait in 2019, but will leave the decision up to you guys.

Menu

How to get in touch

• Phone: (604) 370-4956
• Address: #1535 – 4777 Mcclelland Road
• Hours: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Closed on Monday