Cha-An BONBON

"Cha-An Bonbon is a charming Japanese cafe located on East 9th Street that’s owned and operated by mother and daughter duo Tomoko and Sakura Yagi, who are Japanese and Japanese-American respectively. This cafe continues to keep the Japanese wagashi tradition alive, pairing matcha and hojicha lattes with a variety of mochi and desserts like the anmitsu. (They also have soft serve versions of both lattes.) For a sit-down experience, you can also visit Cha-An Teahouse, located on the second floor of 230 East 9th St. Stop by for unagi, inari, or something sweet like a matcha affogato or black sesame crème brûlée. " - esther cho, with warm welcome, kenny yang

"This unassuming storefront in a Ukrainian village is a go-to for Japanese desserts. The matcha star is the signature matcha tiramisu — a matcha sponge cake with mascarpone cream and red bean paste covered with matcha powder resembling a field of grass." - Twesha Dikshit

"The counter service dessert offshoot of Cha-An Teahouse, Bon Bon is the best source for locally made Japanese wagashi (mochi and confections) in New York City. Many New Yorkers are likely familiar with ice cream mochis or coconut-covered red bean versions in Chinatown, both great but usually made from pre-mixed mochiko flour. There’s a discernible difference in Cha-An Bon Bon’s closely guarded mochi recipe: The exterior is softer and more pliable, and the fillings, whether black sesame or yuzu, are distinct. Starting at $4.75 per mochi, these vegan desserts are not inexpensive, but they are worth the premium price and the leisurely service. Visit frequently for seasonal flavors. Aside from the mochi, be sure to try the soft serve-topped parfait made with anmitsu, a cubed jelly, the hoji tea tiramisu, and their quality matcha tea." - John Tsung, Liza de Guia

"Cha-An Bonbon is a charming Japanese cafe located on East 9th Street that’s owned and operated by mother and daughter duo Tomoko and Sakura Yagi, who are Japanese and Japanese-American respectively. Cha-An Teahouse is the original teahouse, which is closed at the moment, however, sister cafe Cha-An Bonbon continues to keep the Japanese wagashi tradition alive, pairing matcha and hojicha lattes with a variety of mochi and desserts like the anmitsu. They also have soft serve versions of both lattes, which, I mean, c’mon. Currently, it’s pick-up and delivery only on Thursday from 1-6pm and Friday to Sunday from 1-7pm." - Esther Cho & With Warm Welcome

"The East Village’s longstanding Kyoto-style tea house Cha-An is expanding with a new takeaway spot called Cha-An Bonbon, where diners can get the restaurant’s popular dishes to go. Bonbon will open four stores down from the original at 230 East Ninth St., between Second and Third Avenues, within a tiny 105-square-foot space, serving favorites like the matcha latte and mochi." - Carla Vianna