Himawari: Bringing the Art of Japanese Matcha to Chinatown
🌻 Discover Himawari, a hidden gem in Chinatown serving authentic Japanese matcha, hojicha, and handcrafted desserts. Founded by a group of passionate women, this tea shop is all about tradition, quality, and heart.. 🍵✨
Walk into Himawari, and you’re greeted by the soothing aroma of freshly whisked matcha, the delicate sweetness of handmade desserts, and a sunflower motif that radiates warmth. Tucked inside a Chinatown food court, this hidden gem isn’t just another tea shop—it's a passion project brought to life by a group of women deeply connected through their love of Japanese culture, tea, and traditional craftsmanship.
We all met through the Japanese Society and bonded over our love for matcha, tea, and Japanese desserts—it just made sense to create something together,” one of the founders shares. They come from diverse backgrounds, each with a deep appreciation for a Japanese art form—ikebana (Japanese floral arrangement), matcha , tea, and dessert. With their combined talents, they set out to create a space where every drink and dessert tells a story.
Beyond Boba: A True Taste of Japan
Unlike the many boba shops scattered throughout Chinatown, Himawari focuses on something deeper and more authentic: high-quality Japanese matcha, hojicha, and handcrafted desserts. “There are already so many boba spots here. We wanted to do something different—something true to the tea culture we love,” they explain.
Their signature drinks include:
🍵 Matcha Cloud – A beautifully layered, creamy matcha drink that showcases the depth of their carefully sourced tea.
🍵 Traditional Matcha Latte – A pure, high-grade matcha experience with a delicate balance of sweetness and umami.
🍦 Soft Serve Parfait – A labor of love that took countless test batches to perfect. “It wasn’t easy. We didn’t want it to be too milky, but we wanted the matcha and hojicha flavors to shine. Every layer of the parfait is homemade—even the cookies on top!” they say.
And those sunflower-shaped cookies? They’re handmade one by one, making each dessert as unique as the story behind Himawari’s name. “Himawari means ‘sunflower’ in Japanese. We want customers to feel happy and warm, just like when they see a sunflower.”
A Labor of Love—and Strength
Opening a business is never easy, but the women behind Himawari are driven by their dedication to quality and community. “At first, we were confident in our product. But making people aware of us was another challenge. Social media, word of mouth—it’s a lot of work!” they admit. Despite the hurdles, the passion never fades.
Their advice to future restaurant owners? “Don’t give up. Put your heart into your product, and customers will feel it. When someone tells us that our matcha made their bad day better—that’s what keeps us going.”
What’s Next for Himawari?
Right now, the focus is on perfecting their menu and building a loyal customer base. But the dream doesn’t stop there. “One day, we’d love to have our own space, where customers can relax and spend time with us. In Japanese, we say ‘okaeri’—welcome back home. We want to create that kind of place.”
Himawari is more than just matcha. It’s a tribute to tradition, craftsmanship, and the strength of women supporting each other in business.