Aoko Matcha

Exceptional ice cream and soft serve and parfait, with Matcha fully in the centre. They have 5 varying levels of Matcha and a few other flavors like taro, black sesame, hojicha and vanilla. Flavor and texture is great, portions and prices are great ($8.50 for 3 scoop) and decent amount of indoor seating. If you like Matcha, a must try, otherwise strongly recommend. The gradation of Matcha was very clear with the lowest having more sweet notes while the highest had earthy lightly bitter taste which was still very enjoyable. The soft-serve was also really good. They do allow sampling.

I stopped by Aoko Matcha on a weekday evening and it was a great, relatively calm experience! I've heard that on a weekend, it's a completely different story—be prepared for a 15-20 minute wait due to the crowds and long line. I ordered the Hot Matcha Brown Sugar Latte and genuinely enjoyed it; the flavors were perfectly balanced and comforting. If you are a serious matcha lover, this is a must-visit. They have a truly massive selection of matcha treats, from a variety of frappes to unique matcha ice cream flavors. It's clear this is the spot for anything green tea! Highly Recommended for Matcha Enthusiasts!

I once had the famous 7-level matcha gelato in Asakusa, Tokyo. Level 7 there ruined all other matcha ice creams for me… UNTIL I tried Level 5 at Aoko Matcha. This is, without a doubt, the RICHEST matcha gelato I’ve ever had. Absolutely unreal!! The utimate guide of what you should get: - Level 5: very intense, bitter and slightly grainy matcha (my top pick) - Level 4: very rich matcha but with a slight hint of sweetness. - Level 3: slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. - Level 2: a well balance of sweet and earthy. - Level 1: a crowd favorite—sweetest among all. To get the full experience, I strongly recommend getting triple with level 1, 3, and 5 — these three levels taste divine together. Don’t sleep on their black sesame gelato — it is nutty and delicious. Hojicha gelato is good but a tad too sweet for my liking. ＊single $5.25, double $6.50, triple $7.95 ＊matcha/hojicha jelly latte $7.25

Aoko Matcha is a worthwhile destination for matcha! I have relatively high standards for matcha and Aoko met them. We waited in line on a Saturday afternoon for 10 minutes and ordered through a kiosk, which was very easy to use. We got single scoops of gelato, where they have options of different matcha flavor intensities. I picked #2, which was on par with the intensity of a good matcha latte. The gelato was super smooth and decadent: the matcha flavor was super rich and just the right amount of sweet. Definitely add to your list!

I’ve been wanting to try Aoko Matcha after hearing about their range of matcha desserts. I was especially interested in trying their matcha gelato, which came in different flavor intensities. I got the double scoop (Levels 4 and 5) and my partner got the matcha parfait. The gelato was so rich and flavorful - slightly bitter due to the intensities but with a delicious, sweet aftertaste. The parfait was a creamy matcha soft serve with yummy toppings like mochi balls and matcha chocolate pieces. I enjoyed both desserts and will be back next time to try their Level 3 matcha gelato. This spot is definitely a must-try for matcha lovers!

The place could be quite crowded however it is easy to order thanks to the kiosks. I had the Level 3 & Level 5 Matcha ice cream for my double scoop. The flavors were great.

this matcha ice cream mimics the one i went to in asakusa with the 7 levels of matcha strength! only this one had 5 but the strongest one was also as strong as the one in japan (at least from what i remember). to be more specific, it was 17.9% strength! it was so bitter and full of matcha flavor and subtly sweet! texture-wise, it wasnt that soft but at least it made it melt less quickly. im glad i paired it with black sesame bc that one was smooth, creamy, and provided some more sweetness to balance the matcha scoop. had a sip of my friends hojicha and strawberry matcha (not pictured) and it was also good! strawberry didnt taste artificial at all~

The matcha is very high quality and tasted AMAZING. If you’re thinking about going here please do. (level 3 and sesame is my fav)The service is great and the employees are really friendly. My second order didn’t come, and the employee there was so nice and explained the situation. He offered me samples while I waited. Props to Ansen!

Love the matcha gelato! I got level 3, it was rich and not too sweet. I'd love to try other flavors. The matcha latte is very creamy and the matcha flavor is strong. The staff are extremely friendly. The interior is clean, with a bit of seating.

Love, love, love this matcha place!! Rich and intense matcha flavors. Cozy atmosphere but the space is small with limited seat for the amount of people entering. At least at the time I went (Sun 4:45pm). They offer gelatos, lattes, parfaits... with the option of you choosing the right matcha intensity,fun. I opted for the matcha latte with oat-milk and strawberry purée. Delicious!!

It was busy on a Friday afternoon. It was tight and hard to get around when I went around 1pm. You can order from the kiosk but since it's my first time there, I wanted to try out the different matcha levels before I decide and the staff were very nice and patient with me in deciding what I want. I ended up choosing hojicha and level 4 matcha. The hojicha was creamy and smooth, a little tad too sweet to my liking but has a good intensity of the tea flavor. The level 4 matcha tasted just right when I tasted it in the beginning but it started to taste bitter towards the end. I think I would opt for level 3 next time. The place is decent size and has a couple of tables for you to sit but it was very stuffy inside with a lot of people so I decided to eat outside. Overall, this is perfect for any tea and ice cream lovers and I would come back to try out the other matcha levels.

This place was very packed on the weekend, with the line out the door, but the line goes by fairly fast! Once you go inside, there is a kiosk for you to order and you wait till its your turn to pick out your ice cream (you're able to try the flavors before purchasing) I got the Level 4, which imo had the perfect punch of matcha flavor without it being too overwhelming The black sesame was pretty solid in flavor and it was refreshing to eat while eating the Level 4

They have five different levels of Matcha ranging between level 1, sweet and creamy, to level 5, darker more richer in Matcha taste. For those who are not used to matcha, they would probably like level one. I myself tried the level three and level four larger scoops and I didn't get level five because they were basically out of that. They aren't too sweet but they are still ice cream so they maintain their level of creaminess. The line was somewhat long when we arrived, but it moved relatively quickly.

The gelato was delicious!! I tried the level 4 flavor but found it too bitter so I opted for the level 3 flavor. Thank god they let me sample before deciding. It was relatively busy since it's a weekday and right next to Washington Square/NYU. But the interior was super cute and pretty. Would totally come back to try their hojicha since I love hojicha ^_^

Yes, I am obsessed with matcha right now, just like everyone else and I want nothing more than the matcha love parfait every single day for the rest of my life!!!!!!! When you walk in, there's kiosks for you to order and my order came out in literally one minute and I'm not even exaggerating. I was shook bc there were a lot of people. It also smelled like freshly brewed tea and I wish my room, my car, my house, could smell like it 24/7. It was so pleasant! There's seating inside, but limited. The matcha love parfait had matcha pudding with matcha syrup on the bottom, a layer of matcha soft serve, rice crispy, another layer of matcha soft serve, topped with mochi, matcha covered jelly, matcha chocolate..... so good!!!!! Never had anything like it and I really liked the contrast between the rice crispy and the soft serve I also tried the matcha gelato at the highest intensity (17.9%), which they advertise as bitter but it is not bitter at all!! It is not bitter, but not sweet. It just makes sense. It is perfectly matcha. You can ask for samples of the gelato, just in case you are unsure which intensity to choose The matcha soft serve in the matcha parfait was also not too sweet but when I compared the soft serve to the gelato, I immediately noticed how much more creamy and mild the matcha was in the soft serve I would come back here in a heart beat. I think anyone who loves matcha ice cream, or desserts that are not too sweet, would love this place! Highly recommend

I had been seeing this matcha ice cream spot all over Instagram, so I was really excited to finally try it out! What drew me in most was the fact that they offer different intensity levels of matcha which was something I've only seen in Japan and haven't been able to find much of in the U.S. The interior was clean and modern, which made a great first impression. The staff member who helped us was also kind and offered a sample before we ordered, which I really appreciated. I ended up really enjoying levels 3 and 2--both were fantastic. Level 2 leaned a bit sweeter but still had a strong matcha flavor, while level 3 struck what I felt was the perfect balance between sweetness and the bold matcha notes. Beyond level 3, I noticed the ice cream got thicker and more intense, but level 3 hit that sweet spot for me. What impressed me most was the quality of the matcha--it was strong, earthy, and true to flavor. I also loved that the shop clearly labeled the percentages of matcha for each level so you know exactly what you're getting. Overall, I'd definitely recommend trying level 3 as your base because it struck a balance for me, and if you want a second scoop for contrast, go for level 2 for its sweetness. This place really lives up to the hype, and I'll definitely be back!

YES! So happy they finally brought this to NYC! This is the matcha spot we've all been waiting for. Love that you get to try different levels of matcha intensity! The flavor was spot-on. I loved Level 5, though be warned, it was a little too bitter for my friend so we opted for level 4 & 3. And love that they have seats inside, which is great for yapping. And I'd recommend going on the weekend, the lines are way shorter surprisingly

Note: I went during soft opening last Sunday (8/17). They only accepted zelle, venmo or cash only. Credit card wasn't setup at the time. Grand Opening: August 23-24, 2025. I stopped by the store to check out out. There was a line though not too bad. After ordering, the line was out the door and down the street. They have 5 level of matcha, black sesame, and hojicha soft serve. I asked to try level 1, 3, and 5: Level 1 was light Level 3 was more ceremonial Level 5 was intense and grainy. Before you say, I can take level 5. You can though will the item be enjoyable is a different question. I have to try black sesame and hojicha next time. Go enjoy the matcha items! Enjoy!

this matcha ice cream mimics the one i went to in asakusa with the 7 levels of matcha strength! only this one had 5 but the strongest one was also as strong as the one in japan (at least from what i remember). to be more specific, it was 17.9% strength! it was so bitter and full of matcha flavor and subtly sweet! texture-wise, it wasnt that soft but at least it made it melt less quickly. im glad i paired it with black sesame bc that one was smooth, creamy, and provided some more sweetness to balance the matcha scoop. had a sip of my friends hojicha and strawberry matcha (not pictured) and it was also good! strawberry didnt taste artificial at all~ the inside vibes are quite clean and minimalist. ordered at the kiosk so couldnt judge service, but the worker scooping my ice cream seemed nice

I had Aoko Matcha at the top of my must try list on my recent trip to New York. After I saw the 5 levels of matcha gelato with different matcha intensities I knew I had to come. I absolutely loved the gelato here! I typically go for stronger matcha so the level 5 was perfect for me. They didn't have level 3 when I was there so I ended up getting 1, 2, and 5 for my triple scoop and should have stuck with 4 as well as I found 1 and 2 to be a bit too sweet without the strong matcha flavor. The gelato does melt quickly so gotta eat it fast but I have to say it was definitely worth the wait. You can also sample the gelato as well before you choose which level you want!

I once had the famous 7-level matcha gelato in Asakusa, Tokyo. Level 7 there ruined all other matcha ice creams for me... UNTIL I tried Level 5 at Aoko Matcha. This is, without a doubt, the RICHEST matcha gelato I've ever had. Absolutely unreal!! The utimate guide of what you should get: - Level 5: very intense, bitter and slightly grainy matcha (my top pick) - Level 4: very rich matcha but with a slight hint of sweetness. - Level 3: slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. - Level 2: a well balance of sweet and earthy. - Level 1: a crowd favorite--sweetest among all. To get the full experience, I strongly recommend getting triple with level 1, 3, and 5 -- these three levels taste divine together. Don't sleep on their black sesame gelato -- it is nutty and delicious. Hojicha gelato is good but a tad too sweet for my liking. ＊single $5.25, double $6.50, triple $7.95 ＊matcha/hojicha jelly latte $7.25

Matcha shops are a dime a dozen right now and this is not worth the headache or hassle. I walked in around 10pm on a Friday in an attempt to avoid a crowd during the now soft opening. There is no sound dampening whatsoever - loud background music, employees yelling, customers chatting. It's so loud that it takes all 3 of the employees behind the counter yelling the same number over and over again. I tried to make sense of a line - someone NOT on the line is at the counter and the other people in their party is at the display, sampling. I get to the counter and ask a dude behind the counter that is seemingly doing nothing, to sample the 7.1% matcha gelato. He literally looks at me and turns away, without a word. I'm confused and I asked him if he heard what I said - the other dude says they're busy right now preparing orders hence him ignoring me? MEANWHILE, the girl behind the counter turns to me and I have to repeat myself several times and then point to the sign to let her know what matcha gelato I'd like to sample. Again, it's extremely loud. I'm at the counter and trying to place my order, and a customer comes to pick up her order and then tries to place another order, while I'm waiting. She clearly saw me and decided to cut the line and place a new order anyway - the guy behind the counter takes her order obliviously. I finally order and the girl is having trouble repeating the order back to me - doesn't inspire much faith. The pickup process is insane - the people sampling are in the way of people picking up orders and so are the people at the counter waiting to order. My order is WRONG and I bring it back to the counter, and they tell me go to back and wait while they finish preparing the orders placed after me?? Meanwhile they're getting orders wrong left and right, even after getting my correct order, I witness another girl go up with an incorrect order after checking her order. At this point I'm overstimulated beyond words, and I just leave. I can't appreciate the concept of the 5 different levels of matcha gelato being new to the US, and I would have loved to but what a complete shitshow. I'm honestly nobody and just 1 person but this was my experience.

The Brown Sugar Matcha Latte was quite good. The matcha color was perfect and had the right balance of matcha powder to milk. The gelato here is really good quality and I like that they have levels based on the strength of the matcha ranging from level 1 to level 5. I got a scoop of the level 1 but to be honest, the scoops are so small. I wish they'd fill up the cup more. However, I like that you can sample different flavors to determine what you like before ordering and the service is pretty quick. You order on a tablet and then they call out your number. There's also a decent amount of seating options inside. It is a new spot, so it's very clean. There is no bathroom!

My friend and I came here on a Sunday afternoon and expected to wait in a line, but it went by pretty quickly! It's a small spot with limited seating and got pretty packed inside. We ordered at the kiosk and my friend and I both got a single scoop of the gelato. I liked how we were able to sample what we wanted before we chose - I got the level 5 and my friend got the level 4, which was just a little sweeter than level 5. I'd like to come back to try the soft serves. It's also listed as gelato, but the texture is more of an ice cream texture to me. The main thing that got to us were that we both ordered a single scoop, however, there was a HUGE difference in how much I got vs how much my friend got as shown in my photos. Hopefully they become more consistent with how much they're scooping per customer as I would want to get the same sized scoops if I always order a single the next time I come.

Matcha spot on West Village! Mainly came for a sweet treat so I got a matcha soft serve which was good. They also have lattes (matcha, hojicha, and coffee), parfaits w/ different toppings, and matcha gelato which comes in different intensities; looks cool because it's like a matcha gradient in the ice cream window (they let you sample before you order). Opened just a few days before we visited and it was Poppin. Interior is white and sterile, with some seating if you want to hang out. Nice dessert spot for the matcha and hojicha audience!

Phenomenal! I have tried matcha all around the world and the quality of matcha here is very high. I tried the iced matcha and love parfait and sesame ice cream and they were all amazing. Service was quick and nice as well. I will definitely be a regular customer here! It was so good that we went again the same day!

A solid spot for matcha lovers with a sweet tooth! The first few bites of the matcha ice cream were a little bitter and quite strong (levels 2 and 3) but got sweeter as our taste buds grew used to it. Double scoop was perfect to share amongst the three of us. You place your order on a kiosk, and after they call your name you can pick up the order or select which matcha levels you'd like if you got the ice cream. It was around a 15 minute wait on a Saturday afternoon. Limited seating inside.

As someone who's tried Suzukien in Tokyo, hearing this new place to open in my hometown was nothing short of amazing. I knew I had to try it out and quickly ~ My friend and I went on a Saturday afternoon post lunch date and the line was around the corner. The wait time though, was surprisingly quick. We could order via pads (they had 2 set up near the doors) or at the cash register up front. The only caveat to this place was that it felt a little chaotic. Once your order is in, you'll see your number and when it says it is that they are working on your order, it means drink or parfait, not the scoops (I had to clarify with the staff). The music there was pretty loud so when they called out the number for the scoops, you really had to pay attention. And if the people on the line didn't know that they called your number, they might give you a glare or two for "cutting" or just smush you out of the way (which sort of happened to me) until they realized you had a reason you're there (hence why I think it's a little chaotic here). Overall, I loved the taste of the level 5 matcha gelato while my friend loved her level 4. If you are undecided or nervous about how youd like it, ask the staff to try the one you were originally going to go for :) Overall, I would definitely recommend this place to any matcha lover. But if you aren't a matcha fan but are friends with one, there are other options for you as well!

The parfait is SO good- the crowds and line move quickly but it can be tricky to find seating. Super loud inside and nowhere to stand or move but worth it. There was one worker who was literally screaming the order numbers but aside from that, good. The parfait was so delicious and had this matcha pudding/jello on the bottom which was yummy.

I came on a Sunday afternoon, forgetting it was a Sunday and therefore a weekend crowd- and boy was it crowded!! Not only was there a line inside but also a line outside that wrapped around the corner, at least a 30+ people line. My friends and I didn't hesitate for a second to NOT wait on that ridiculous line and went elsewhere in the area. So then comes Monday afternoon, you know when people are normally at work? Yep, good timing and good call because there was no line at all, both inside and outside! I got to order right away after sampling the levels of matcha and was able to get seats for both my friend and I right away at the big table and benches (shared with other people). The entire time it was relatively quiet and we were able to chat without shouting so definitely a plus. I ended up ordering a triple scoop of the matcha gelato- levels 3, 4, and 5. I think levels 1 and 2 are nice but definitely sweeter and not enough matcha for me. For reference, I love matcha and drink a matcha latte every morning without any sweetener. On the rare occasion, a little honey. I think level 3 was similar to that - a little bit of honey. Level 4 and 5 I'd say are more bitter but not enough to turn me away. Personally, I loved level 5 the best because it had such a rich concentrated matcha taste, similar to maeda-en matcha ice cream. Most people I think order level 4 though because they had to refill that one before I was able to get a scoop. I also got a hojicha latte with oat milk but this one was kind of disappointing as it was grainy/powdery on the bottom even when thoroughly mixed. Taste wise, it wasn't good quality hojicha because it was too earthy, almost like dirt. Pass on that one. My friend got the Matcha Brown Sugar Latte. It seemed to be a matcha latte with whipped cream and then topped with brown sugar. Before it was mixed, it tasted exactly like a matcha latte, which on its own was pretty good! When mixed, it's definitely sweeter but the brown sugar is subtle. Definitely not as sweet as Starbucks brown sugar drinks or bubble tea shops. For the future, I'd definitely come again on a weekday afternoon, so there's no crowds. Order gelato, skip the hojicha latte, and then try something new like their parfaits or something because quite a number of people also ordered them! They also have other gelato flavors in addition to the 5 levels of matcha - they have vanilla, hojicha, mint chip, and strawberry. All of them seemed to also be popular options.

I forgot to take a picture of my matcha parfait because it was so goooooooooood!!! Cute spot, I had a few questions about the parfaits and one of the workers was super attentive. It was packed, there were no chairs/tables available but I didn't have to wait long which was good and ate outside.

Came here during opening weekend and it was packed. Thankfully the line moved fast and orders came out fast too. I got the 2 scoop gelato and chose the 2 strongest matcha flavors. I definitely can tell they're stronger than other matcha ice cream I've had at other places, so they're not lying about that. It was slightly thicker than I prefer but it is a gelato so that makes sense. The scoop sizes were definitely reasonable for the price because it was around ~$9 for my order and I think that's standard price for 2 scoops of ice cream in NYC and then this is matcha which is usually more expensive. I want to come back to try other ice cream flavors they have but maybe when it gets colder out because the gelato melted really fast in my hands. I had to eat it out of the cup they gave me at one point.

We queued up a few minutes before opening, and were the eight group in line. Once the doors opened, the line quickly split up between the two ordering terminals and the register, and within the first five minutes we had our order in. They were out of the tiramisu and mille crepes, and also weren't yet equiped to do hot drinks, but there were plenty other things to choose from. We then grabbed a seat on the counter against the wall and people watched. There is also a large TV on the wall behind the register showing which orders they're working on, and which have been completed. It's a very modern and bright space with a variety of seating options. Less restaurant vibe, and more a hangout lounge. The food and drinks were top notch, so we're planning to come back the following day, to try some more things. No wonder that they always have a queue. It's a good thing that it moves so quickly.

Unbeatable matcha gelato, but coming here at peak times is definitely a battle. After you enter the shop, there are two kiosks to order at, the line is usually not very organized and it's not clear where you should stand. I highly recommend not getting the other desserts and just going for the gelato (you won't be able to choose the flavor at the kiosk). Then they'll call your number and you'll go up to the gelato counter to pick your scoops. You can as for samples. I am a matcha lover & have found that a mix of level 3 and level 4 matcha are best for me. I tried their strawberry gelato and it was alright but probably wouldn't get again, however their black sesame was some of the best I've had and would highly recommend if you like more nuttiness. The matcha gelato is very thick and creamy and the matcha flavor is really the star (vs. the generic matcha ice cream spots). Seating is also really hard during peak hours unless you get lucky with someone leaving. This shop is always crowded whenever I go, but I guess that's a testament to it's popularity. Highly recommend this place if you're a matcha fan!

Well, we made it to another viral ice cream shop in the great city of NY. At around 5:30 PM on a Tuesday, it was nice to say that there was no line around the corner. I guess that's the novelty of a popular place here but I can see why it's tiring. They have two kiosks where you can place your order but you don't get to sample the flavors of gelato when you order online. I tried the level 3 and level 5 and the level 5 really has the best match level imo. We opted for the two scoop - level 5 + hojicha. I liked the service, staff was friendly and helpful with samples. There were seats but surprisingly all occupied during this time. I'd probably wait around 5 minutes next time. Any longer and I'll just come back.

I visited Aoko Matcha Gelato many times and tried the Matcha gelato and their matcha level 4 is my favorite which is absolutely delicious! rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced in flavor. However, the experiences were somewhat spoiled by the extremely unpleasant smell inside the store. It was strong enough that I couldn't imagine sitting there and enjoying my ice cream. I'm not sure how others managed to stay inside for long. That said, the quality of the gelato itself was impressive, and I'd definitely come back to try the Hojicha flavor next time, but hopefully for takeaway!

Pretty tasty! Tried 3, 4, and 5 - each level was distinctively different. 3 scoops and a cone was $10+ which is pretty high so probably won't be back too often but I will def say it's yummy!

Solid spot if you're craving Hojicha soft serve. Or feel like testing your taste buds against five grades of increasingly bitter matcha ice-cream (the bitterest isn't too bad, but hardly something I'd pay for). Prices are higher than comparable stores in Flushing, but that's that West Village tax for ya.

Loved this place. There's 5 levels of matcha to choose from, 1 being the sweetest and lightest, 5 being the most matcha-y. If you're a matcha fan, I recommend going higher. I got the 3 and 4 this time and they were great, and I want to try the 5 next time! The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and not too sweet, and the price is good! Don't let the line intimidate you. Once you get in, try to go to a kiosk to place your order, they'll call your name out and you can pick your ice cream. Try to have your ice cream levels picked out before getting to the counter. The workers are usually swamped and cranking out orders fast, so it helps them if you know exactly what you want. Check it out!

After seeing how matcha ice cream of varying levels of intensity is done in several Asian countries, I was so excited that Aoko was bringing this concept to NYC! They unfortunately ran out to of the level 3 and hojicha on one of the soft opening days that I visited, but I still got to check out their other levels/flavors. My favorite was the level 5 because of the high matcha intensity, but my partner found it too bitter. Levels 4 and 5 were definitely more "grainy" and "powdery" when compared to the lower levels that were more smooth in texture. My perfect bite was 2 parts level 5 plus 1 part of level 2, so I'm curious whether level 3 would balance out the matcha flavors and the ice cream texture. Level 1 was way too creamy and milky for me. The black sesame had a prominent sesame taste but on the sweeter side. The ordering system is straightforward with 2 kiosks and a screen that displays order numbers. For scoops, you pick your levels/flavors after your number is called. Taste testing is available! There just isn't enough waiting room when the seats are all taken, and thus people start to crowd around the counters, which then prevents people from getting their scoops. Servers were understandably overwhelmed. I'd be interested in trying their other matcha desserts and coming back for the level 5!

So glad I got to try this popular spot! Their menu has a lot to offer - beyond the viral Levels 1-5 matcha ice cream - so definitely look before ordering. I got the Hojicha and Matcha soft serve which was delicious and had the perfect balanced notes of nuttiness and fragrance. There are two lines to order - one via kiosk and another with one of the staff members, so the line moves fast.

The concept is interesting that you can try different intensity of matcha, but removing two stars because (1) long wait, (2) prices have gone up since two weeks ago. During my visit, the line was around the corner of the street, maybe took 20 minutes to get to the store. There is someone directing the line outside. You can order and pay on the kiosk by the door, then wait again to pick your ice cream flavors at the counter. You can sample them before deciding what to get. No hojicha flavor was available today, so I sampled black sesame and level 5 matcha, just to say if I am okay with the most bitter one; ended up ordering level 2 and level 5. There are ice cream texture, not really soft serve texture. While eating, it didn't feel so bitter, but the aftertaste is still bitter. Overall I didn't mind trying but would have been a better idea to try it after the hype is over. It's disappointing that they raised prices right after the opening.

Definitely worth the hype! The 3 different levels of matcha varies in intensity, but is not too bitter or artificial tasting. Note to self: will be avoiding peak hours around weekend afternoons.

Ambiance: 3/5 I visited a total of three times, and every time it was pretty busy. If you come later in the afternoon, it seems like there is a shortage of staff to keep the seating area clean. They also don't have a bathroom. Service: 5/5 Employees are nice and accommodating. They helped me understand the popular matcha ice cream levels and gave detailed suggestions on the menu when I asked. The beverages and ice cream come out pretty fast as well. Food: 5/5 I was so excited to try Japan's viral 5-Level Matcha in West Village, NYC! Overall, I think the matcha quality is pretty good, and the highlight for me was the level 5 matcha ice cream. It had a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. It's not cheap, but definitely worth trying. I also tried their matcha latte and Hojicha warabimochi parfait. The matcha latte was pretty strong. I added a scoop of level 5 matcha ice cream to my drink, and it was so good. It was perfectly flavorful until my last sip. I think adding the ice cream was nice, but it's a bit too pricey, so I won't add it next time. The Hojicha soft serve parfait was also pretty good. It had wasabi mochi, jelly, and rice crisps. I liked this a lot! There were a lot of fun textures, and the creamy hojicha was great. I think this is a solid spot for matcha and hojicha if you are in the area.

Hojicha was great, the matcha ice cream is not the best I've ever had, but solid. There was an odd, bad smell in the establishment, but I'll chalk it up to the place being new.service was solid. I'll probably try it again and update my review.

Went last week after work and there was no line - received my order within 5 minutes! They had all the flavors except hojicha. Got the level 1 3 5 and I can't decide which one I love more! The ice cream is smooth and rich, perfect dessert after a meal. Will definitely come back for the parfait

I'm so glad that the concept of having different levels of matcha intensity of gelato is being brought to the states at last. I went during the soft opening and after they opened. The service is quick for how busy it is. Ambiance could use some work; it's a bit chaotic in there and the layout of the store does not help. I tried 2 scoops of lv 3 and 4 matcha gelato on my first visit and 2 scoops of lv 2 and 5 matcha + 1 scoop hojicha gelato on my second visit. Both were great, but I'd stick with lv 3-4 matcha and hojicha in the future. Lv 5 leaves a little bit of stinging and dry mouth feel for me personally whereas lv 4 is perfect imo. They also have parfaits, soft serves, etc. Solid spot and decently priced at the time when I visited, but I have heard the price has gone up since... hopefully it isn't too crazy. I love matcha and have been consuming matcha since 2010s, hoping for more matcha themed spots to come

Matcha ice cream was perfect for the hot weather. The highest intensity (17.9%) is not super bitter...it was actually our favorite intensity bc the rest are good but not anything mind blowing. The highest kind of tastes like a slightly stronger Haagendaz matcha. Workers are super sweet but there's 2 lines (one for ice cream flavor choosing- they call your number anyways so dw if you lose your place in line / the other for premade & any other none flavor choosing on the spot items)... Prob bc they opened not too long ago, but the lines inside were chaotic

I was going to visit Japan later in the year, so I was interested in trying the different level matchas at AOKO. I came during their grand opening weekend, and I do agree with another review stating that the direction and organization is a little messy. So when directed inside there was a line in front of the gelato glass, as well as to the cashier. It was unclear to me as to where to go. I did not know that if I waited for the line in front of the gelato glass then I could ask to sample, so I ended up getting in the cashier line and just ordered a double scoop without trying anything. Additionally, I agree that the music was too loud and you could hardly hear the staff yelling out order numbers. I ordered the Hojicha and the Level 5 Matcha ($6.95). Hojicha was sweet, a little icier and fell apart a little. I would have liked for the tea flavor to be stronger for this one. Level 5 matcha was bitter and rich in a good way. I enjoyed pairing the 2 flavors together though. I would be interested in coming back to sample the other levels.

Tried their matcha love parfait. It's very good. Matcha soft serve was strong and great. Very good quality matcha. Place is clean and nice. I went there on a friday afternoon and there was no line. They have few indoor seating areas too. Service is fast. I would love to be back to try more items from their menu.

A place for the matcha lovers! This dessert place has various ice creams and drinks that have matcha or hojicha. I came on a weekday late afternoon and there was no line. I was able to order from the kiosk with card. When they call your number, you can then come choose your flavors. They had 5 levels of matcha gelato as well as a few non-matcha flavors. As a huge matcha fan I tried level 5 (strongest) and level 3. My friends each got a scoop of level 5 and levels 1 and 2. Level 5 was suuuuper strong and probably something I wouldn't get again because it was quite bitter. Level 3 was my favorite as it had a good balance of bitter and milky. Level 1 tasted like a creamy matcha latte and level 2 was just slightly more bitter. I'll def come back to try their other matcha desserts!

Aoko Matcha has some pretty good ice cream, and it's cool that you can choose the density of matcha concentration in your scoop. However, I wouldn't wait in line for it.

I ordered a hojicha soft serve using their self service screen. It came out almost instantly. The hojicha flavor was prominent! Very smooth and sweet. It melts fast so eat it quickly. I would definitely order another one of these.

I've had the 7 levels matcha gelato in Japan and this place is really comparable! I got the matcha latte with no sugar, which had a great ratio of matcha to milk. There was an astringency aftertaste, but I didn't mind it. It wasn't bitter at all without sugar in my opinion. I also got the level 4 & 5 matcha ice cream and black sesame. 5 was my favorite. It had a strong matcha flavor and wasn't bitter in my opinion. 4 was sweet compared to 5, but still enjoyable. Black sesame tasted like what I expected. Giving this place a 5 star since it's unique with the levels of matcha ice cream.

NYC's first 5-level matcha spot! Sweet at Level 1 Bold at Level 5 I tried Levels 3, 4, and 5, and Level 5 has my heart. The Matcha Parfait with mochi is also a must-try! Follow me @foodie.elite on IG and Tiktok for more.

I was so excited about this matcha place that we stopped here twice while spending the weekend in NYC. During our first visit we got a matcha red bean and mochi iced latte, a hojicha red bean and mochi iced latte, and a piece of the hojicha roll cake. The next day we came back and got a hojicha latte and tried all five of the matcha ice creams as well as the hojicha ice cream. Everything we had was fantastic! I love matcha lattes, but I was so excited to try the the hojicha latte and it was also amazing. Our favorite thing though was the level five (the highest percentage) matcha ice cream. The flavor was incredible and the texture of all the ice creams were lovely. The owner was very sweet and she spent a little time telling us about the different matcha ice creams. The store is small, and there's often a line, but it moved quickly and they're very efficient with getting orders out. We will definitely be back next time we're in the city and would absolutely recommend it.

Today was Aokō's soft opening and I had the opportunity to try a couple of their menu items. I tried the Matcha Warabimochi Parfait and the Hojicha Latte. I am a certified matcha hater... YET Aokō's matcha was so delicious. There was never a time I willingly bought a matcha item and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, since Aokō specializes in matcha items I just had to give it a go and I don't regret it one bit. The Matcha Warabimochi Parfait is a full cup of matcha soft serve with a scoop of red bean paste and a couple of pieces of matcha warabimochi on top, rice cripsies inside, and mochi at the bottom. The warabimochi was so soft, just melts in your mouth. (image attached) I tried hojicha for the first time today! The Hojicha Latte was rich and nutty, really really good. (image attached) One thing I didn't get to try that I was really intrigued by was their gelato. They have 5 levels of matcha gelato! 5 levels with different matcha intensities. (image attached) AND THE PRICES?! Everything about this new matcha spot is just amazing. The sleek minimalistic interior and seating, perfection. I heard the Grand Opening is on Saturday 08/23!! I will be going back to give their matcha gelato a try and this spot is a 11/10 would recommend (from a certified matcha hater ;) )!!! MATCHA REIMAGINED!!