Pronounced “fala” – which means “thank you” in Croatian – Hvala brings its artisanal Japanese-café experience straight from Singapore to Plaza Arkadia in Desa ParkCity here.
Known for hand-whisked matcha and a selection of Japanese desserts, this dessert destination – which launched on Monday – offers a laidback space for green-tea lovers.
Its peaceful design sets the tone for relaxation with every sip; indeed, each item is made following the philosophy of “ichi-go ichi-e” – the concept of cherishing each moment.
The café, which spans two floors, blends traditional Japanese “horigotatsu” seating and an open bar, where you can watch your order being made right before your eyes.
Hvala, which has four outlets in Singapore, works directly with tea farms in Kyoto to ensure top-notch matcha is used for their drinks and desserts.
And if you’ve ever been curious about just how intense matcha can be, the gelato options cover that for you: three levels of matcha, from the lightest M1 to the strongest M3!
FMT Lifestyle intrepidly went for the M3 gelato, and it’s not for the faint-hearted.
The deep green colour is a clear sign you’re in for something strong, and the bold, rich flavour lives up to its appearance. It’s thick, creamy, smooth, and entirely vegan.
For something even more unique, the white chrysanthemum sobacha gelato offers a floral warmth and a crunchy, toasted buckwheat texture that’s pretty unforgettable.
Non-vegan options such as Hokkaido milk and yuzu yoghurt are also available, and for those really looking to indulge, pair your gelato with the crispy dairy-free waffles.
If you love Japanese desserts, the warabi mochi is hard to beat. Made in small batches with Japanese mochi flour, it’s served with kuromitsu (black sugar) and comes in two varieties – kinako (soybean flour) and yuzu (East Asian citrus).
The kinako version may well end up being your favourite: paired with decadent black sugar syrup, it’s nothing short of a flavour bomb. Smoky, nutty, and ridiculously smooth, every bite simply melts in your mouth.
Of course, no visit would be complete without a matcha beverage. Kick things off with the Yuki matcha iced latte, made from premium-grade powdered green tea.
What makes it premium-grade? The leaves are grown in the shade and, as a result, offer a balance of umami and mellow flavours. The best part is, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Plus, Hvala also offers ceremonial-grade matcha, which is definitely worth a shot if you’re feeling fancy.
The real showstopper here has to be the matcha goma latte. If you’re still getting used to the intense flavour of matcha, this black-sesame beverage is for you.
In fact, the menu here includes a selection of drinks and desserts with a sesame-matcha twist – a real game-changer!
Hvala’s dessert menu is curated by local executive pastry chef Jetyii Lee, who has worked with Michelin-starred chefs. Under Lee’s purview, each cake here is thoughtfully designed.
Topping FMT Lifestyle’s list is the matcha yuzu basque cheesecake, which is unique to this Malaysian outlet. The mix of green tea and tangy East Asian citrus results in a refreshing, and thankfully not overwhelming, treat.
Other standout dessert options include the matcha tiramisu – a fusion of Italian and Japanese flavours, featuring matcha mascarpone cream and ladyfingers soaked in… you guessed it: matcha!
Hvala
Block EG2, Plaza Arkadia 3,
Jalan Intisari Perdana Desa ParkCity,
52200 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 11am-9.30pm daily
For more information, visit Hvala’s website and follow Hvala Malaysia’s Instagram profile.