Matchaya

Rating is only for mains as I did not manage to try the drinks and desserts that they are more well-known for. Was looking for a quick late lunch on a Sunday afternoon and saw that Matchaya was running a 50% off mains promotion. The place was full at 3-4pm with most people enjoying a chat over drinks & desserts. We chanced upon a table leaving and managed to get a seat. The food was rather disappointing but still value-for-money considering that it was on promotion even on a weekend (Sunday). I ordered the fish & chips for the matcha aioli and did not taste the matcha at all. The fish and chips itself was not memorable but it was at least decent. The beef stew was out of stock by then and hence we got the chicken stew instead and it looked very different from the menu picture (in the menu, it was dark brown and the dish served shows clear soup). I personally found the taste to be okay and think that it's a decent comfort food but my companion felt that it was "sick people's food" and did not like it that much. TLDR: Stick to what they are known for in future for the best experience

Had a quick bite in late afternoon.Ordered the ceremonial tea Koicha with milk (hot) and tamago sando. The matcha was good. Was slightly confused why the tamago was served in a croissant not in milk bread..as per the old menu.Tamago filling was great but I had great difficulty in cutting up the croissant to enjoy my meal in smaller bites. The croissant feels too thick to cut and the knife cutlery doesn't make it easier. Had also tried to eat directly by biting the croissant straight but was difficult to enjoy without spilling the contents. Perhaps they can consider to change to a fluffier croissant or stick to milk pan?

Ordered a chicken katsu sandwich, which was tasty. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and we t nicely with the tonkatsu sause and cabbage. The bread was light buttered and grilled and went nicely with the meat. My main gripe was that the fries were COLD, a major blunder in my books. It would have been a decent meal otherwise. Had the black sesame cream puff. The cream was thick and rich. The coux was soft, not particularly my favourite way to have puffs, but did the job. As a dessert, I think it was a little rich and may have needed some accents to break through the richness of the cream and sesame.