Reading a Japanese Matcha Menu: Shiratama, Anko and Kuromitsu

A matcha parfait arrives with white dumplings, red beans and cubes of jelly. Learning a few menu words helps you choose the textures you enjoy, even when the English description simply says “Japanese sweets.” Start with the toppings, then decide whether you want a drink or a spoon dessert.

Shiratama and anko: chewiness or a smooth spoonful?

白玉 — shiratama are dumplings made with shiratamako, a flour made from glutinous rice. They are kneaded with water, shaped and boiled. Look for this word if a chewy topping appeals to you.

あんこ — anko is sweet bean paste. For red-bean versions, 粒あん — tsubuan keeps the beans’ texture, while こしあん — koshian has a smooth texture. They offer different mouthfeels; the name alone does not tell you which will taste sweeter.

Kuromitsu, kanten and warabimochi

黒みつ — kuromitsu is a dark, brown-sugar-based syrup. If it comes separately, try a little first. You can add more after tasting the matcha and other toppings.

寒天 — kanten is agar made from seaweed and used to set desserts. わらびもち — warabimochi is a soft, jiggly starch sweet. Its name does not guarantee pure bracken starch: TOMIZ, for example, sells warabimochi flour made with sweet-potato starch and modified starch. A green jelly’s colour alone cannot tell you its setting ingredients.

Latte, parfait or float?

A matcha latte combines matcha and milk; check whether it is already sweetened. A parfait combines several dessert components in a glass. Saryo Tsujiri’s special parfait, for example, includes matcha and vanilla ice cream, shiratama, matcha jelly and azuki beans. Other shops use their own combinations. A float usually means a drink topped with ice cream; check the drink base and topping in its description.

Useful questions before ordering

• “甘さは調整できますか？” (Amasa wa chōsei dekimasu ka?) — Can you adjust the sweetness?
• “黒みつを別にできますか？” (Kuromitsu o betsu ni dekimasu ka?) — Could you serve the syrup separately?
• “これは何でできていますか？” (Kore wa nani de dekite imasu ka?) — What is this made from?

Point to the item as you ask. Treat these as requests: a premixed drink or prepared dessert may not be adjustable. With a few words and a short question, you can choose by texture and flavour rather than guessing from the photograph.

Keep exploring matcha

Read our matcha introduction, find a tea experience, or make something at home with our matcha recipes.

Sources

• Shiratamaya Shinzaburo: dumplings, tsubuan and kuromitsu
• TOMIZ: koshian
• Ina Food Industry: kanten
• TOMIZ: warabimochi flour ingredients
• Saryo Tsujiri: parfait components