NEW YORK CITY \u2014 A new matcha caf\u00e9 and gelato concept is now open in the West Village. <\/p>\n
Aok\u014d Matcha, located at 275 Bleecker St., is the creation of 27-year-old Isabella Pang, who calls her new caf\u00e9 her “creative child” and a space where she can share her love for Japanese matcha in fresh, thoughtful, and unexpected forms.<\/p>\n
“After five years in the food and beverage world, I wanted to create something deeply personal, a space rooted in my love for matcha,\u201d Pang told Patch. \u201cAok\u014d began with a simple idea: what if matcha could be more than a drink? What if it could be creamy, cold, and scooped into a cone on a warm afternoon? That vision became our matcha gelato, and every detail of Aok\u014d is designed to be intentional, inviting, and inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the heart of Aok\u014d\u2019s concept is its \u201clevel-up your matcha\u201d tasting experience, Pang told Patch. Guests can choose a scoop at their preferred intensity, starting at Level 1 for a gently sweet green and working up to Level 5 for a bold, ceremonial-grade finish. <\/p>\n
Aok\u014d takes its name from the Japanese characters \u9752\u5b50: \u201cao\u201d (green), symbolizing freshness, nature, and the vibrant shade of matcha, and \u201cko\u201d (child), representing creativity and new beginnings.<\/p>\n
The concept draws inspiration from celebrated Japanese specialty shops offering graded matcha experiences.<\/p>\n
Aok\u014d\u2019s menu also features soft serve in matcha, hojicha, and swirled varieties; matcha parfaits; specialty lattes and frappes; Japanese teas; and matcha-infused desserts such as tiramisu, mille crepes, and roll cakes.<\/p>\n