A must-visit for matcha lovers: a specialty dessert shop importing ingredients from Japan

Text and photos by /Viviyu

Achieving "one minute to Japan" is really possible—Ping’anjing Chashi has always been a matcha specialty shop I wanted to visit. By coincidence, after attending an event at Wo Kitchen during my trip north, Sister Chen suggested we go next door for afternoon tea. That’s when I found out Ping’anjing Chashi was right next door. After missing it so many times, I finally made it, and what’s even more wonderful is that I ran into a friend who was also there for a meal. We ended up chatting happily inside the shop. The whole ambiance created a Japanese vibe, and I really liked the dishes and the setting.

From the outside, it looks very low-key—there’s no obvious sign, just a small fabric curtain. If it weren’t for Brother Hu leading the way, I would have missed it again…

Stepping into the courtyard gives off a strong Kyoto, Japan feel. Is this the legendary one-second trip to Japan?

The garden landscaping gives a sense of tranquility.

From another angle, you can see this big red Japanese paper umbrella. Doesn’t it have a real Kyoto vibe? I think it’s not easy for even the garden design to feel so authentic. If you wore a kimono here for photos, people would probably believe you were in Japan.

The shop has minimum spending requirements and time restrictions for dining. It is also not open to children on weekdays, only on weekends—this is something to pay special attention to.

The interior decor also has a strong taste of Japanese architecture, evident from the ornaments and accessories. Those three bronze cranes are not cheap either.

All the matcha powder is imported from Japan, and some of the utensils are specially for matcha. The owner has even gone to Japan to learn the craft.

I think the menu in the shop is really well done, with clear images for reference and even Japanese descriptions. Even foreign tourists can understand it. The photos all look so delicious that I wanted to try everything.

Just looking at the photos makes me want to order them. I think these photos are really well taken. In addition to Japanese sweets, you can also try Western-style madeleines and creme brûlées here, all of course in upgraded matcha flavors.

Even the drinks look delicious, making me hesitate for a long time—I wanted to try this and that, and it took a while to finally decide.

The shop also offers an afternoon tea set for two, which comes in a large portion. Although the price isn’t cheap, I think the set is more worthwhile.

The drinks specifically indicate which matcha is used—for example, these two are made with Marukyu Koyamaen matcha powder.

Currently, the cake rolls and mille-feuille can be taken away. I originally wanted to bring them to Yilan to share with friends that day, but considering I’d have to take a bus back to Taoyuan and then rush to Yilan, and that they’re not easy to preserve, I thought it’s better to just enjoy them in the shop next time.

In November, they also launched different products, including the Bancha Festival. Compared to matcha, the flavor is less intense, but after tasting it, it still has its own unique aroma.

In the end, we chose the ‘Sakura no Iro’ Classic Duo Set, which allows you to try multiple flavors of desserts and teas in one go. Among them, you can choose any two drinks from the series, which is really great.

The style inside the shop is completely Japanese. As soon as you walk in, you can smell the tea aroma, and all the pastries are homemade.

The shelves also display many utensils for brewing matcha, which can also be purchased in the shop.

Because the desserts are so delicious, takeaway service is now offered. But the cakes are really not cheap—they’re clearly made with quality ingredients. I still find myself craving them once in a while.

There are three different flavors of ice cream in the freezer.

Matcha French Crepe Set $450

The selected tea will come with a thermos bottle filled with hot water. The first brew will be prepared by the server, so you can drink it right away without waiting.

In the autumn maple leaf season, have a warm cup of matcha to soothe your heart. I even sneakily tried a small sip of the refillable tea—it was really good.

The matcha whipped cream in the middle is somewhat similar to the one in the cake roll, but because the matcha flavor is stronger, it somewhat overshadows the egg crepe. This dish didn’t perform as well.

Sakura no Iro Classic Duo Set $980

Seeing this dessert platter served really lifted my mood. It looked delicious, and I got to try five kinds of sweets in one go. Going with a friend has the advantage of sharing, so I could taste every flavor. My favorites were the creme brûlée, the matcha cake roll, and the matcha mille-feuille.

The matcha cake roll is probably the best I’ve had in Taiwan. The matcha whipped cream inside is mixed with plain whipped cream, creating a smooth texture. The outer cake doesn’t overpower the flavor—it’s full of matcha aroma. So delicious~

Green Tea Milk Foam Pearl Latte

Pearl Green Tea Latte $150

When I saw the teacher drinking during class, I really wanted a bubble tea, so when I saw the menu, I didn’t hesitate to go for it. The rich aroma of matcha paired with Q-soft, chewy pearls with a hint of honey flavor—so delicious.

I didn’t have high expectations for this madeleine at first, but after one bite, I found the crust crispy and sweet, and the cake inside was moist and soft. Maybe due to the temperature, it had a slightly frozen texture—delicious.

The madeleines and mochi flavors at the front didn’t leave much of an impression, but the matcha mille-feuille hidden at the back was really good too. Layer upon layer of matcha whipped cream—I think anything with matcha whipped cream is just unbeatable... haha.

Matcha Ice Cream

This time I finally got to try Heiankyo Chashi. After trying it, I can see why many customers keep coming back. Although the prices are on the higher side, the pastries use quality ingredients and taste great. There were also quite a few tourists who came here specifically for it. If you don’t have time to go to Japan, you can come here to satisfy your craving with some matcha desserts. Up.

Heiankyo Chashi
Address: 165 Shida Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100
Phone: 02 2368 2277
Business Hours: 12:30–21:30
https://www.facebook.com/heiankyo.fans

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