Ocha no Igeta is a long-established teahouse in Sendai with over 90 years of history and multiple stores across northern Japan. They collaborate with Shizuoka’s renowned tea growers and producers to offer a range of high-quality teas. At their main store in Sendai, we were enticed by the salesperson’s announcements of matcha soft serve for the irresistible price of ¥180, leading us to stop by for a treat—and some tea purchases.
Matcha Soft Serve (¥180).
The soft serve delivered a pronounced matcha flavour with no bitterness, balanced by a subtle umami profile. It was smooth and creamy, with minimal iciness. The cone, however, was a standard one, lacking the appeal of waffle cones. Still, the experience was delightful for such a reasonable cost.
Zunda Dango Shake (¥700).
Having thoroughly enjoyed the zunda shake at Zunda Saryo, we were eager to compare it to Ocha no Igeta’s version. This shake was milkier and had a less pronounced vanilla flavour compared to Zunda Saryo, though it featured chunkier zunda paste. The dango was tender, and the zunda paste offered a pleasant sweetness and texture. Despite the comparison to Zunda Saryo, the shake was satisfying in its own right.
Ocha no Igeta is located at 2-5-9 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0021, Japan.