KOTO JELLY COFFEE
Dessert shop · Yesler Terrace ·

KOTO JELLY COFFEE

Dessert shop · Yesler Terrace ·

Coffee & tea drinks with agar jelly, vegan options

jelly coffee
matcha jelly
friendly service
cute shop
pricey
coffee jelly
cozy interior
small shop
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by Koto Jelly Coffee
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null
KOTO JELLY COFFEE by null

Information

512 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 Get directions

$1–10

Order delivery
See Menu
Credit card accepted
Debit card accepted
Contactless accepted
Free Wi-Fi
Wheelchair accessible entrance

Information

Static Map

512 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 Get directions

kotocoffee.com
@KOTOJELLYCOFFEE

$1–10 · Menu

Features

•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Free Wi-Fi
•Wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jan 4, 2026

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@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Best Things Eater Seattle’s Editors Ate in March 2025 | Eater Seattle

"After a prior write-up the author made a pilgrimage to try the signature jellied coffee with milk (took it with oat). Since the writer did not spend childhood in Japan as their barista did, they were unfamiliar with jellied coffee’s game; plunging a straw into the signature jelly coffee with milk and swirling the light, mellow coffee around the ice and milk "got the ingredients talking to each other a little." Slurping the chunks of coffee through a little straw, the pieces didn't so much dissolve; "I added no sugar, found my coffee not that bitter at all, and would've happily ripped through two more." The small shop is stuffed with bags of beans sporting adorable tanuki logos and glossy portraits of coffee alike, and it has small tables ideal for such slurping. —Paolo Bicchieri" - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/2025/3/31/24397997/best-things-we-ate-seabird-musang-good-voyage
KOTO JELLY COFFEE
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

What Is Jelly Coffee, the Japanese Dessert That’s Showing Up in Seattle? | Eater Seattle

"A tiny shop on First Hill opened only after several things fell into place: coffee jelly — once a common U.S. dessert and still widely popular in Japan where it’s called kohi zeri, essentially Jell-O made with coffee and usually served with milk or cream — had to exist (Starbucks Japan has used it in drinks before, it appears as a topping at some boba tea shops, and it’s sometimes available at H-Mart). A pair of architects, Heywood Chan and Ree Hamai, partnered with Japan–based chef Kotone Shiotsuki and worked for a year to identify the right beans and tweak the agar mix to account for differences between Japanese and American agar; Chan recalls, “We almost gave up on agar,” and the team was determined not to use gelatin to keep the product vegan. After popping up at a few local businesses, they opened on Broadway near Seattle University in December in a small, quietly sleek space with a takeout window facing the sidewalk and custom-made takeout cupholders — details that reflect the owners’ architecture background. Claiming to be the only coffee jelly specialty shop in the United States, they call their version “jelly coffee” (rather than “coffee jelly”) because the jelly is served in a cup topped with milk or ice cream and drunk through a straw as it melts; the texture is “not thick like a milkshake or chewy like the tapioca balls in boba tea” but instead is “akin to sucking up thin gummy worms that taste strongly of dark-roasted coffee,” and because the milk stays separate the drink becomes a kind of deconstruction of a typical cup of coffee. The menu also includes matcha jelly, black tea jelly, and a milk jelly (originally intended for kids but now used as a blank canvas with hojicha or genmaicha syrups), and the shop serves espresso on its own or as a jelly topping. For Japanese customers this can be a reminder of home: “The sweetness of any food in Japan, it’s very subtle,” Hamai says. Behind the polished brand — professional photos on the website and shop walls — is a homespun operation: furniture made from Chan’s camping equipment (which he also photographed), jelly produced in an offsite commercial kitchen by “a team of moms” working between childcare dropoff and pickup, and a front-of-house staff largely made up of students who often hang out in the shop. The owners emphasize meaning and staff wellbeing: “We have to make money, and we want to introduce our products to everybody,” Hamai says. “But I believe that unless you enjoy [something], unless you’re motivated, and unless it’s meaningful for you beyond money, then it won’t continue. It’s gonna disappear at some point. So we want to make sure people are happy and people are motivated.” It’s open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday." - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/2025/2/12/24360349/koto-jelly-coffee-seattle-coffee-jelly-dessert
KOTO JELLY COFFEE
@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Koto Jelly Coffee - Review - Capitol Hill - Seattle - The Infatuation

"New coffee shops pop up in Seattle on a regular basis, but Koto Jelly Coffee is the first to serve a menu strictly of drinkable jelly. Agar-based coffee and tea cubes are this Capitol Hill cafe’s whole deal, and you can get them in latte form with a splash of milk or as a jelly affogato with a scoop of ice cream. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Kayla Sager-Riley

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/koto-jelly-coffee
Koto Jelly Coffee
KOTO JELLY COFFEE

Cindy Y.

Google
First time trying Koto. I got the genmaicha jelly parfait. The milk jelly is pretty soft, but not especially tasty or sweet. My friends got the black tea jelly and matcha jelly and I think those were a bit more smooth and flavorful. I was expecting a bit more genmaicha but it was mostly just the ice cream on top with milk jelly, with but it was cool to try. The black tea jelly with lemon is a refreshing choice too. 🍵

Shaylyn K.

Google
First time here and got to say I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t know what to expect with jelly coffee, I was scared of lack of flavor or an off-putting texture but that wasn’t the case. Service was so friendly and helpful, they walked us through the different types of drinks they had. We ended up ordering their new tiramisu cream, one with coffee and one with matcha. Both were amazing but if I had to pick it would be the matcha.

Wendy K.

Google
I had been to one of the pop ups they did last year at Phin on Tuesdays and had the Jelly Coffe with milk. What finally convinced me to make the trek up from the work in the CID was they started offering Hojicha and Genmaicha. As a 3rd Generation JA I grew up drinking both of these and am happy when I see them as an option. Particularly genmaicha, hojicha has been getting more exposure by some boba places and has been used in baked goods recently but less people use genmaicha. I was torn which to try the jelly milk with hojicha or genmaicha, went with genmaicha. The milk has a little different texture than the coffee which makes sense and not in a bad way. The genmaicha flavor was very present. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Which didn't surprise me as they were the same at the pop ups. One of my friends had the jelly coffee with milk since it was her first time my other friend had the jelly milk with coffee which takes a tiny bit longer than the other two cause they have to pull an espresso shot. The space is bright and welcoming a long bench along one wall with small tables connected. The main ordering area uses Snowpeak gear as their set up which is what was part of the pop up set up. clean lines and light wood. Very close to the street car stop at Terrace and Broadway. Looking forward to having the hojicha next time!

Royal

Google
There’s something magical about the coffee jelly here - it’s drinkable and dissolves in your mouth but not while it’s in the drink. Furthermore, it’s plant-based. At first, when I got my drink, I was a little worried that the jelly would not work with the straw, but there were no issues at all. I got the jelly coffee and milk, which was their signature drink. The first half of the drink was really amazing - strong coffee flavor, great jelly texture, and high-quality half-and-half. You really need to mix the drink before drinking for the best results. However, towards the end of the drink there were some acidic notes, which I think is from the coffee itself. I did read about their coffee supplier, and while I’m glad they use a local roaster, I’m not a huge fan of the beans (having tried it before myself). Everything in this shop is well-crafted and intentional, and the staff is really nice. The tables here are pretty tiny and this isn’t really a spot to hang out long or to study/work. However, I definitely think their coffee jelly is worth trying and will be back to try the tea flavors next time.

Jasmine L.

Google
Koto Jelly Coffee is such a fun and unique find in Seattle! We stopped by out of curiosity and were really impressed. The jelly coffee was unlike anything we’ve had before. It has a smooth, slightly bouncy texture that makes the whole experience feel playful and creative. It’s definitely not your everyday coffee stop, but that’s exactly what makes it special. The staff were warm, welcoming, and happy to explain the menu and offer suggestions. You can tell they care about the customer experience. The interior is super cute ! Thoughtfully designed with modern, cozy vibes that make it a great place to hang out, snap a few pics, or catch up with a friend. While the jelly coffee is the star, the overall vibe and service make this place worth revisiting. We’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu and bring friends along for the experience!

Rachael S.

Google
Delicious toast!! I have never had toast like this before so I didn’t know what to expect but it was SO good! Fluffy, fresh toppings, buttery, and just the right amount of sweetness. Very attentive staff and chic + comfy environment.

Kam

Google
Got the jelly coffee with oat milk. It was a cool experience to have a jelly coffee but I think I may be more of a regular coffee guy, haha. It felt weird having to chew my coffee, maybe if it was more sweet it would have been better. She did say that it wasn’t that sweet and told me to put in the simple syrup on the counter for more sweetness. I put what I felt was a good amount but I guess it wasn’t enough. It is really amazing that the jelly they use is vegan! Very nice owner with great service and atmosphere + it was super clean too.

Leezy

Google
🥲I had saved Koto Coffee on my list to check out, and I finally got to visit this time. The jelly coffee concept is definitely unique and eye-catching, but to be honest, I didn’t really enjoy the taste. The coffee jelly didn’t have much of a coffee flavor, so it just felt like eating jelly with a slight coffee scent in milk. It was nice to satisfy my curiosity, but I was a little disappointed since I had high hopes. The espresso with orange juice was just okay too. The flavors of both the coffee and the juice were pretty weak. The one I had in Japan was much better.
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Huong N.

Yelp
Have been wanting to try Koto Jelly Coffee, so took the opportunity to try it out since I'm back in Seattle for the weekend! The workers were so nice and the inside of the shop itself was clean and tidy. There are also a few spots to sit and enjoy your drinks. I got the jelly coffee affogato and it was so delicious! Would recommend letting the ice cream melt some first and give it a good mix, but with the espresso, it is the perfect amount of sweetness. You can add extra sugar if you want, but honestly I don't think you need it. The jelly coffee is also so smooth and adds the perfect little texture to the drink. My friend got the jelly coffee with milk and he really enjoyed it. You can pick your milk (oat milk, whole, half and half or skim milk) as well. Will definitely come back to try more drinks in the future.
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Generous Y.

Yelp
Koto is definitely unique and I was particularly excited because I'm a fan of "drinking desserts" as that's practically the concept of boba. Location is a bit out of the way, not particularly convenient or close to other hot spots, but worth a visit every now and then. Parking is rough as it's street parking but not terrible for Seattle because the location is a bit out of the way. Definitely a bit pricey for the volume, but it's unique and does require more effort to make. Jelly Matcha Milk - while very fun to slurp up, the matcha flavor wasn't as strong as I imagined. Possibly me being picky with all the matcha spots around these days because the matcha flavor was present, just could be a bit stronger since the liquid base here is just milk. In the future I'd simply opt for the matcha latte. Gelatinous texture was perfect, like al dente pasta, and it held up well so the consistency was also perfect.
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Sage M.

Yelp
I finally got the opportunity to try out Koto Jelly, and I was super excited about it! Coming on a Saturday around 2 p.m., there was no wait, and I was able to order right away. It took about five minutes for my drink, which was totally understandable since they were training someone. The cafe itself is quite small but has a modern, inviting feel. It would be a great place to work if you can snag a seat! The staff were also wonderful--very friendly and welcoming. You will need to street park, so be prepared to find a spot a few blocks away and walk over. I ordered the matcha latte with jelly. While it was good, I don't think I would order it again, especially given the price point. However, they do have a pretty large menu, so I'm interested in coming back to explore other items next time.
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Fenny C.

Yelp
Japanese jelly coffee and matcha spot in Broadway. Parking: hate it. You can't park in front of the store, due to bike lane. So you need to find surrounding area, which is challenging, very hard. Service: they are so sweet, these Japanese ladies are so kind. The older lady saw us taking our photos and asked how we found out about their store. We told them it has been in our list to go, the challenge is finding parking is not worth our time and energy. She understood. She's looking into 2nd location, we told them go to Redmond town center area, lots of new cafe and restaurants are opening such as Dave hot chicken, salt and straw, and most of all free parking. So keep your eyes peeled for future location. We ordered: Jelly coffee with milk Jelly matcha - matcha latte Cookies: granola cookie l, hojicha and matcha, and coffee cookie, the same coffee based they use for latte. Seating: indoor only They also have parfait, toast and more.
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Royal P.

Yelp
There's something magical about the coffee jelly here - it's drinkable and dissolves in your mouth but not while it's in the drink. Furthermore, it's plant-based. At first, when I got my drink, I was a little worried that the jelly would not work with the straw, but there were no issues at all. I got the jelly coffee and milk, which was their signature drink. The first half of the drink was really amazing - strong coffee flavor, great jelly texture, and high-quality half-and-half. You really need to mix the drink before drinking for the best results. However, towards the end of the drink there were some acidic notes, which I think is from the coffee itself. I did read about their coffee supplier, and while I'm glad they use a local roaster, I'm not a huge fan of the beans (having tried it before myself). Everything in this shop is well-crafted and intentional, and the staff is really nice. The tables here are pretty tiny and this isn't really a spot to hang out long or to study/work. However, I definitely think their coffee jelly is worth trying and will be back to try the tea flavors next time.
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Diana C.

Yelp
The menu options are pretty vast and there's definitely nondairy ones, but it was hard to navigate that on my own. The server was very helpful in answering my questions based on what things I was looking for or didn't like and pointing out the nondairy options when I asked. The drink itself was quite tasty and it was fun to have the matcha jelly in a matcha drink. The ambiance was fine - there's a few small tables and benches along one wall you can sit at. I hung out a bit since it was raining. They do not have a bathroom here though so keep that in mind.
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Laura G.

Yelp
Jelly Matcha + Matcha Latte: The texture of the jelly in the drink was very interesting. However, the matcha flavor was not very strong. The concept is very cool, and maybe I should try the coffee drinks next time, but the prices are a bit too steep in my opinion. There is some seating inside, but a very small amount. It was a little cramped when we were waiting for our drink after we ordered, as there were groups of people both sitting and waiting on line to order.
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Isra A.

Yelp
I usually stay away from "jellies" because they're often made with gelatin, but this is a vegan jelly spot! Muslim girls rejoice! First off, delicious coffee. I ordered the orange espresso jelly and it was the perfect little drink for a hot summer day, very refreshing but not too sweet. I'm tempted to go back and buy some of their beans because the espresso was that good. On that note- great service. The barista was very well informed and lovely to talk to. The vibe was very cute. Definitely a spot you can sit and enjoy your drink with a friend or grab it to go and walk around cap hill. It's smaller than URL (sorry gotta bring them up because they're literally right next door), but 1000% worth stopping in and trying one of their drinks. I will be back to try one of the matcha jellies or the espresso tonic (or both). Parking - street parking, pretty tough to secure, so I'd walk here!
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Mike L.

Yelp
Koto specializes in jelly based drinks. They make the coffee or matcha into soft jelly and then add in some milk. There were some seasonal drinks and for August when I visited, they were highlighting orange (things like an orange espresso). Inside is pretty cute and simple. If you're in a rush, they even have a takeout window but fyi they still require a few minutes to combine the ingredients before you. I got the jelly coffee with milk and the jelly matcha with milk. I like the jelly matcha more as it was pretty earthy and deep in flavor. The jelly coffee was slightly bitter and I prefer it not as a jelly. Overall each drink was about $8 but unless you really like jelly, they were just okay. PS if you order to go, you can have them pack your drink separately and when you're ready you can combine and make it "fresh".
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Ann N.

Yelp
i loved this place! it has a modern, minimal design and the building is quite small. they serve dessert in addition to their drinks. i got the hojicha syrup + jelly and it was really good. i love how soft and big the jelly is. it's so fun to drink. at one point i wished there was less jelly so that i could enjoy the drink alone, but that wasn't a big deal. i also tried a sip of the coffee affogato + jelly and it was soo good. you have to wait for the ice cream to melt a bit to get a less strong coffee flavor. the fat from the ice cream mixed so well with the bitterness of the espresso shots. i would totally try one of their affogato drinks if ever come back. my only complaint is that the drinks are very pricey. this was good for a once-in-a-while treat, but i don't think the price is justified or worth getting it regularly.
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Phuong B.

Yelp
Been wanting to try this place out forever but never made it because they are only open for a short period during corporate hours and well, I'm a corporate employee. Finally made my way there recently and all my hopes and dreams were not fulfilled. They only have one coffee based, an Americano with milk, and everything else is just toppings. The jelly reminds me of Vietnamese jelly you can buy in a can with hints of drip coffee. Not great. They also had a matcha version, but we did not try it. The service was neither friendly nor rude. Pure indifference from the workers. Overall, the place has limited options, no parking, and open only a few hours during the day. Skip it and spend your money and calories elsewhere.
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Stephanie D.

Yelp
Cute little coffee shop, you'll need to find street parking and take a short walk over. Their house-made jellies were unique and flavorful. Drinks are definitely on the sweeter side, so I'd recommend asking for less sweet if that's more your style.
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Audrey L.

Yelp
Cute shop and unique concept for trying jelly coffee or jelly matcha, but prices are too step to warrant regular visits. I got a jelly matcha with milk, and this was a nice drink. The jelly was soft and more drinkable than I expected! The staff here is super friendly as well. I liked my drink but didn't feel like the price was really justified. If the drinks were a couple dollars cheaper I'd feel like trying these drinks out would be more worth it!
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Charlotte G.

Yelp
Koto jelly coffee is great! I like coming here when I need a caffeine boost combined with the feeling of a dessert. I've tried their regular coffee jelly, their coffee jelly with ice cream, and their milk jelly matcha. The ice cream coffee jelly gives it a sweeter taste because of the vanilla ice cream. And the matcha with milk jelly makes the matcha more sweet as well. Excited to come back!
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Amy C.

Yelp
such a cute space! I loved the few touches of snow peak. Jelly coffee + milk - 3/5 Thought I had to at least try the jelly coffee with half & half, but this was slightly underwhelming. It felt almost too sweet and not enough coffee, like a starbucks latte or some sort. I think the affogato version would taste really good because of the extra shot of espresso! Jelly milk + genmaicha syrup - 5/5 This was SO YUMMY!! Slightly grainy, but the flavor was very rich and bold. This spot is definitely a treat since the prices were pretty steep at $18 for only 2 drinks before tip. hope to be back to try the matcha or hojicha version.
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Myanh T.

Yelp
Such a cute little spot. We got the matcha jelly with matcha, along with the jelly milk + Hojicha and they both were excellent. I did like the Hojicha a bit more. Such a cool concept and really good tea. Will be back!
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Annie Y.

Yelp
Located right by Seattle U, this coffee/jelly shop is very quaint. There were some people doing work in there, but they seem to have no AC since the door was wide open and it was very warm inside. I ordered a jelly milk with genmaicha syrup, and while it tasted pretty good, the genmaicha was quite grainy. At almost $10 a drink after tax, I wished it wasn't grainy.
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Sofia C.

Yelp
Came to Koto with a friend for the first time! The dinning area is quite cozy and quiet. If you need a place to study or chat over a yummy drink, this might be the place for you. The drinks are a little bit on the pricier side, but I think the flavors make up for it. Both drinks were around $20 dollars w/o tip. Service was great - we were greeted with a smile and got great recommendations from the staff :) My friend and I both got the Orange cream float - it seemed to be a seasonal item as it wasn't on the main menu. Silly of me, but I was surprised that the orange float also had jelly! I thought it was delightful - it had a rich orange flavor that paired great with the ice cream and mitsuya cider. I will be coming here again!
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Kristen N.

Yelp
I love trying new, interesting cafes and Koto definitely piqued my interest with its unique drink concept. We tried one coffee and one matcha drink. The total was about ~$20 with tax and tip which is definitely on the expensive end for a drink. I think it was an okay price to try something and have a fun treat, but I don't think I could justify the cost for a daily caffeine fix. The cafe itself is quite small with a few tables, so it's more of a grab and go spot. Service was efficient and the jellies are prepped so they come out very quickly. As for the drinks, the experience of drinking the jelly is fun. I really enjoyed the texture. It's similar to drinking grass jelly/egg pudding in boba drinks. We thought the jelly coffee itself could have been stronger. With the cream, it's more similar to an iced latte rather than an iced coffee with milk. I would like to try the jelly coffee with iced coffee in the future. The jelly matcha+matcha latte was delicious, very rich flavor, and great for a matcha lover. The only gripe I had was within the jelly itself, there were clumps of matcha which was a bit unpleasant. It probably is the nature of making jelly with matcha. I still really enjoyed my drink as I loved the strong matcha flavor. I would definitely like to come again and try more of what Koto has to offer!
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Ms. A.

Yelp
1.26.2025 Charming Coffee Spot at Koto Coffee! Koto Coffee in Seattle is a delightful place to enjoy a perfect cup of jelly coffee. The cozy atmosphere and stylish decor create an inviting environment to relax and unwind. Their coffee shop is small, so all small tables were occupied on Sunday. We decided to walk around since the weather was so nice. The staff are friendly making every visit a pleasant experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great coffee spot in Seattle!
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Zeke H.

Yelp
Super interesting concept. Basically the coffee/matcha is in jelly form and it's enveloped in the milk. It tastes good to me! It felt like I was having dessert for breakfast but it wasn't super sweet or anything like that. I walked in on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too busy and the service was quite fast so I recommend just checking this gem out!
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Wendy K.

Yelp
I had been yo one of the pop ups they did last year at Phin on Tuesdays and had the Jelly Coffe with milk. What finally convinced me to make the trek up from the work in the CID was they started offering Hojicha and Genmaicha. As a 3rd Generation JA I grew up drinking both of these and am happy when I see them as an option. Particularly genmaicha, hojicha has been getting more exposure by some boba places and has been used in baked goods recently but less people use genmaicha. I was torn which to try the jelly milk with hojicha or genmaicha, went with genmaicha. The milk has a little different texture than the coffee which makes sense and not in a bad way. The genmaicha flavor was very present. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Which didn't surprise me as they were the same at the pop ups. One of my friends had the jelly coffee with milk since it was her first time my other friend had the jelly milk with coffee which takes a tiny bit longer than the other two cause they have to pull an espresso shot. The space is bright and welcoming a long bench along one wall with small tables connected. The main ordering area uses Snowpeak gear as their set up which is what was part of the pop up set up. clean lines and light wood. Very close to the street car stop at Terrace and Broadway. Looking forward to having the hojicha next time!
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Elizabeth M.

Yelp
Koto jelly coffee was an interesting concept. It is basically flavored jelly with milk. It reminds me of the Filipino taho in a way. I would describe it as more of a dessert than a drink. I really enjoyed the hojicha jelly. Not too sweet. It was perfectly sweetened and the jelly was smooth. My friend tried the matcha jelly and unfortunately it felt like it was a bit grainy. Not sure if the jello was completely dissolved when they made it. The service was accommodating and they explained what the jelly was and the different ways they prepared it. The cafe is tiny so best to ti grab and go due to how small the cafe is. I would be willing to give this place another try and try the coffee jelly.
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Marie R.

Yelp
I've been seeing this place on instagram so I've been curious if it's as good as people make it to me. My husband and I went here before having dinner in Seattle with friends and thankfully there wasn't a line. We got the jelly matcha with matcha latte and a jelly coffee with milk. The jelly coffee with milk was just meh, but I liked the jelly matcha with matcha latte. To be frank, I wasn't wowed. Maybe it's not for me or I should have ordered something else. I don't really have much to compare it to. Either way, we tried and I think we don't need to come back.
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ThuyVy N.

Yelp
Tried this spot again as it's been a long time since it's open and just thought it was alright, I had given them the benefit since last time I went it just opened. Overall the jelly isn't very flavorful I feel and the coffee is just alright, little bitter to my taste. The icecream did make it taste better but I think in general ice cream just does make things taste better. I feel like the service I had last time was nicer and friendlier, this time they weren't rude or anything most not very friendly. Probs wouldn't go back now, gave it two fair shots.
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Vivian O.

Yelp
I visited koto on a wednesday 30 min before closing and there were still customers inside! The staff were really welcoming and gave me recommendations! I liked how thoughtful they were by asking if I liked sweet drinks/coffee/milk. I ended up ordering the 12oz jelly milk + hojicha syrup ($9.43)! It's definitely on the pricey side but you're paying for the quality and experience. I've definitely paid similar prices for drinks that weren't as enjoyable. At first sip it's definitely on the sweeter side (which I liked) and the jelly was so yummy! The flavor was definitely there too :) The space inside is quite small but I think they really did well with the layout. It's bright and aesthetic inside and there's a small amount of seating. I would definitely come back to try the genmaicha syrup & affogato options!!
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Leilani Q.

Yelp
Love the aesthetic of the shop, very simple and clean. Limited seating indoors, but there's turnover and no one was sitting and working or anything when I visited the shop. Parking is tough because.... You know First Hill. Service was nice and made our drinks fast. Overall the amount of drink for about $7-8 is pretty low. Prices are a bit steep. You can tell the quality of their jelly and syrups are pretty good though. Jelly coffee + half and half: pretty robust coffee flavor of the jelly and texture similar to grass jelly. Pretty good with the half and half and not sweetened. If you like black coffee, you will probably like this one. Jelly milk + hojicha syrup: jelly milk has a good creamy flavor and the syrup was tasty too! This inspired me to try to make my own hojicha syrup. Heh Overall this was my favorite drink today!
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Carolyn D.

Yelp
3.5/5 I wanted to love this place but unfortunately it fell short of my expectations. The drinks were good but not great. Honestly they were pretty expensive for what it is. $7-9 for a 12oz drink.. I think I was expecting there to be more matcha flavor. Maybe it was the drink that I had gotten? The matcha flavor was not strong in the jelly. It tasted kind of plain. Some of the jelly had a very powdery taste to it too, like the matcha wasn't fully whisked/dissolved before solidifying it. The grainy taste was kind of obvious and off putting. I also tried one of the coffee jelly drinks and that was a lot better than the matcha. Coffee flavor was strong and tasted really good when the ice cream melted. They have simple syrup at the front to adjust all of the drinks. Overall I would skip the matcha drinks and just get one of the coffee ones. I like the aesthetic of the cafe. It's very bright and minimalistic. There's a little bit of seating but the tables are small and a little awkward to navigate. It's definitely a cute shop and interesting drink concept. I am just not sure if it is worth it.
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Kevin L.

Yelp
Drinks: 9/10 I had the matcha jelly affogato, and it was absolutely delicious. The vanilla ice cream adds a heightened sweetness, cutting through the earthiness of the matcha. However, since they use such high-grade matcha, I would have appreciated something like matcha ice cream to pair with the drink overall, allowing the matcha flavor to shine without competing with another flavor, such as vanilla in this case. I would absolutely love to return and try their other jelly flavors next time. I also tried their hot genmaicha latte, which had a wonderfully nutty and almost cereal-like flavor compacted into a tea base. It was extremely well-balanced, and I would definitely go back just for this. Service: 10/10 They truly emphasize Japanese hospitality, and I really appreciated this from the moment you enter, to when they take your order, and even as you're leaving. It makes you feel genuinely welcomed, and who doesn't love that? This level of hospitality is something often experienced in Asia but not as common here, so I'm glad they are bringing this experience to Seattle. Ambiance: 8/10 Although the space is quite tight, the blend of outdoor camping elements and minimalistic Japanese aesthetics is incorporated beautifully into the interior design.
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Crystal H.

Yelp
A cool spin on coffee! There's a variety of options but the made takeaway is they'd have coffee or matcha jelly with your coffee. I got the Coffee Jelly + Milk and the coffee jelly reminds me of grass jelly, but not as firm, and it's definitely nothing like lychee jelly. You can easily drink the jelly from the straw. It's pretty delicious and fun. Don't expect to get this coffee early in the morning, they open at 11. There are milk alternatives if you can't do lactose. And you can also add additional sweet syrup to make it sweet. Service was super quick, not even a minute went by when I ordered and got my drink. The shop itself is quite small, there's a seating area along the wall, but it's mainly drop in, order, and leave. The decor is minimalistic and clean--very Japanese minimalism.
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Alex N.

Yelp
The best place to get the unique jelly coffee. The jelly is light and goes down so smoothly. It pairs well with any flavor they offer. Friendly service, cute spot to stay and drink or easy to take out. Highly recommend and would come back!
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Helen J.

Yelp
Got myself the affogato coffee. The cashier warned me that there is 4 shots of expresso in the drink, so I should've expected it to be bitter, but the drink is really bitter when you first try it. The affogato tastes thick and like a yummy vanilla ice cream when tried by itself. When I tried mixing the affogato into the coffee, I thought the drink would balance out more in the bitterness vs sweetness taste ratio, but it stayed the same, it was stronger in bitter taste. The place itself is cute and small and has a clean aesthetic. The coffee jelly texture was nice but the drink itself did cost $11, I didn't find myself enjoying it enough to justify the cost. Don't see myself personally going back, but the concept of the place is really neat.
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Kyle W.

Yelp
I went here upon seeing a lot of my friends posted about this place on Instagram and raved about it. I got the jelly coffee + milk, which was $7.67 after tax, on the pricier side for drinks. I would get it for the novelty, as you wouldn't really see something like this in a typical coffee shop. The jelly is large and you are presented with a tiny straw, which is weird at first, but as you drink normally, the jelly disintegrates into a small jelly mixture with the milk which combines nicely with the flavors. There is limited seating and parking, so recommend taking transit if convenient and/or grab and go. There are other options priced $8-11 before tax, but for just a drink, it is way too much.
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Mike P.

Yelp
Clean aesthetic and something different from the typical boba spot. The jelly is very soft and easily gets sucked up through the straw. Nice flavor options here such as hojicha and genmaicha. Minus star for the drinks being on the very sweet end, especially the ice cream in the affogato. The matcha is bitter on its own but mixed with the ice cream I found it too sweet for my personal preference. I tend to get my drinks 25-50% sweetness as a baseline so if you're like me, I would request less sweet if possible. Otherwise I love that there's something a little different than boba as a spot to have after a meal and would come back to try the other drinks they have. The space is pretty small so it gets crowded quick and parking can be rough.
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Ami Y.

Yelp
I kept seeing this shop on Jenn Cho's YouTube videos, and as a coffee jelly fan I had to go. It did not disappoint! I had the jelly coffee and milk (half and half as recommended), one of the cheapest option ($7-ish) and pretty good. As a kid in Japan, I liked the packaged coffee jelly cups with mini creamers, and the drink here was like an elevated version of those cups. When I first saw it, I wasn't sure if the jelly would fit inside the skinny straw. But the jelly was soft enough that it broke into small pieces as I drank it. The space is small and fits probably like 6-7 people max. I wish they had other treats that go well with the coffee jelly drinks. Seems like they do collabs with other businesses that offer baked goods so maybe I just need to get lucky. I don't own a car so I took the bus 40 then onto bus 4, coming from north. It was quite time consuming because they took detours and the vibes were off, so I walked to SLU on the way back. It was my first time walking around the area and I had a nice time with the jelly in my hand. Next time maybe I will try to do the walk on the way here as well.
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Alexa Z.

Yelp
Fast and friendly service. Cute and cozy interior. Great spot to sit and catch up with a friend. Street parking only. I got their matcha jelly with milk and it was interesting. I think that if you get some jelly that was at the top of the batch, the texture can be a little weird. But otherwise the jelly is super smooth and tasty. I definitely plan to go back and try their milk jelly.
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Timothy H.

Yelp
A nice, Japanese cafe to try. We got their Jelly Milk + Affogato and their Jelly Milk + Matcha Affogato. Both drinks were pretty good. The ice cream can the drinks a sweeter taste and the coffee wasn't too strong. The matcha tasted nicely. The jelly in the drink was new to us to try, but was a pleasant experience. The ambiance was good. Very nice lighting and the place was well organized and decorated. However, very limited in space and seating. On top of that, tables are small, and there's no trash cans or napkins. The service was good. The drinks didn't take long to make and the servers answered any questions we had. The drinks were quite pricey though. With the two of the drinks, it came out to the total of $23. Overall, a good experience, but I'm not sure if id come back
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Emily T.

Yelp
Very excited that this spot opened up because I'm a huge fan of jelly drinks! My husband and I found some street parking and it's a cute little cafe with limited seating along the wall. Great spot to meet up with a friend for a little treat. I tried the black tea jelly with milk and ice cream. The jelly had a nice texture and good flavor and the ice cream made it a sweet treat. Service was really friendly. It seems a little pricey for what it was but overall we enjoyed our experience here.
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Vinh M.

Yelp
They've been a popup store in many Seattle-based events like the CID Block Party where I first had a sip of their drinks, and I'm so happy they now have their own location to share it all! I went in here during a Sunday afternoon to a really cramped up space with few seating inside. The line was also quite long, and almost stretched out the door. Because the place is small, it was also extremely noisy inside. When you order, the server in front does explain to you about some of the drinks they have on the menu if you ask for it; this made the line feel longer than it already was, but I appreciate having that kind of service for when I might have some questions about recommendations later. Most of the menu consisted of drinks with jelly, along with either matcha, coffee and/or ice cream. I got the jelly milk with matcha syrup drink, and it's one of the best I've had! Taste isn't too sweet (though I'm not sure if there are sweetness adjustments in the drinks), and the matcha taste is not too faint. For this drink, there isn't a milk substitution, though it looks like that can be the case with the other drinks on their menu. You're strongly advised to break down the jelly before consuming the drinks that have them.
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Katrina C.

Yelp
Cute small shop in cap hill! They have a small selection of coffee, tea and milk tea options specializing in jelly coffee. I got the espresso affogato and was super bitter but coffee was not too strong. I was hoping for more of a balanced flavor. To me, the concept is just like boba but with coffee and toppings. Not enough for me to pay $8-9 for a small cup
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Jackie N.

Yelp
I had Koto Jelly Coffee when they were still only a pop-up, so it's amazing they have a store front now! It's a small business owned by the nicest Japanese women. I appreciate getting a new type of drink shop in Seattle, and the drinks are really good. They have different types of jelly, such as coffee, tea, matcha, and milk jelly, which you can combine with different liquids, such as milk, non-dairy milks, and half and half. It's fun slurping up the jelly through a straw, and if you mix the jelly and let it sit for a little, the drink will be more flavorful. DON'T expect a sweet drink if you're getting the coffee. It's a very concentrated coffee, but you'll like it if you like coffee. The matcha and milk jelly are definitely the sweetest drinks you can get if you don't like things being too bitter. Overall, it's a really cute shop with nice, unique drinks. It's a small shop with only a few seats, so it'd be best to take your drinks to go. I would recommend chatting with the owners too to learn more about them and their shop. :)
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Courtney Y.

Yelp
Fun spin on coffee and tea, the coffee jelly is made with strong coffee and agar. Their matcha jellies have a bit of a more bitter and powdery taste as the matcha powder in the jellies naturally settle during the cooling process. I actually like the powdery bursts of matcha in the jelly. I love hojicha and it is still uncommon around here, especially of good hojicha so I do recommend it! The genmaicha is tasty as well... Everything is : - ) I saw they added toast to their menu, I look forward to trying their An-Pan, as a lover of anko. It's my first time seeing this listed on a menu in Washington!
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Sally L.

Yelp
Ordered the espresso affogato because the cashier told me that was one of their sweeter drinks. It was quite bitter and did not taste good to me. I finished half my drink. The straw is also too skinny for the jelly. This is a very expensive drink (~$12). For the size and taste, not worth it to me at all. I would not come back. It was nice to try. The store itself is cute, but seating is limited and a bit awkward. No bathrooms either. This is not a sit down cafe. More like a grab and go.
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Robyn C.

Yelp
Shout out to lactose free milk also being an option without charge! A cute little shop with limited seating serving some solid tasting drinks. Went here for their opening day and sure, the line was longer but I was able to get my drink within 2 minutes of ordering. Everybody was super friendly- Jelly coffee w/milk - 4/5, strong coffee flavor but something about the jelly was gritty? Jelly tea w/milk - 5/5, strong tea flavor
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Andii S.

Yelp
I stopped by on my ride home and unintentionally caught them a few minutes after closing (around 3:05 pm--realized they have rather inconvenient hours of operation; there's basically no way you could reliably try this place during the week, as their hours are 11-3, unless you wfh or in the neighborhood). One of the folks inside saw me try to unsuccessfully open the locked door and came out to greet me and welcome me inside? The three folks working there were so so nice and insisted that I still try a drink despite the fact that they were clearly doing closing clean up. I ordered the matcha jelly milk with matcha syrup and enjoyed it a lot. The matcha jelly chunks have the texture right between that of pudding and grass jelly. I would say that it's mostly a jelly treat as I was slurping up jelly chunks bit by bit for the next couple hours, long after all the milk was gone. I am a notorious nibbler and slow eater though so I doubt most of you would enjoy it in this way lol. I personally don't think the ratio of liquid to jelly is balanced enough to want to get this "drink" very often though, and believe a greater volume of milk/half n half/whatever would make this something I'd be more likely to come back to. Not too sure about that too though because the cost is already quite high for such a small bevvie...my drink came out to $9+ after tip (rip). Overall, the people running this place are so sweet, kind, and helpful, and the drink is interesting and enjoyable enough to try at least once.
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Katherine Y.

Yelp
The Hojicha milk jelly was the perfect sweet treat after a doctor's visit. It had a deep, nutty flavor, and the syrup was just the right amount of sweet. The milk jelly itself was rich and fragrant, not watered down at all. The employees were helpful in recommending popular drinks, and my order came out quickly. At $10 for a small (8oz?) drink, it's definitely pricey, but I'd say it's worth it. I wouldn't just recommend it for the novelty, I'd come back myself. The space is cozy yet minimal, with seating for about 10 people.
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Joanne W.

Yelp
Sooo good! A bit pricey in my opinion with the sizing being small. I really took my time to enjoy it. For two drinks, my total came up as $18.21 not including tips. But it is good quality. The jelly matcha+matcha latte was good and not very sweet. The matcha taste was definitely there and I liked the soft jelly texture. There was no wait and it came out pretty fast. I got to watch them make it as well. The inside is very cute and modern. It is small so not many seats but would be a very cute space to study if you manage to snag a table. I would come again but not very often.
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Chris J.

Yelp
Oh man I wanted to love this place so bad! The owners seem so sweet and the aesthetic of the shop is absolutely perfect. I'm a total coffee jelly obsessive and excited to see a whole shop dedicating themselves to it and hoping they'll improve the craft over time. My main two areas of contention: (1) the jelly consistency is too thin. I think this may be done so it can be easily slurped up by a straw but it's extremely unsatisfying to 'chew' giving how soft it is. I want my jelly to be bouncy and a bit firm without being hard or unpleasant, like the perfect boba texture. This would be harder to slurp up with the normal size straws here but just like with boba, you can use bigger straws. (2) The jelly is not sweet at all. They offer simple syrup you can add which is great but the sweetness needs to be cooked into the jelly itself for perfect balance and convenience/simplicity for the customer so they don't need to figure out their perfect simple syrup ratio and mix it in and hope they don't go past their sweetness preference. The jelly should be sweetened to perfectly complement the drinks its in already as that's how most people are going to enjoy the drink and mixing in a syrup will not create a consistent sweetness throughout the whole drink and jelly chewing experience even if mixed well. Will definitely come back here one day and hope to see improvements!
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Siamen M.

Yelp
Great coffee! Jelly milk gives the coffee a texture like tofu. They also offer jelly coffee which would probably work for people who like bitter coffee taste. The affogato just made the drink that much better. They offer hand full of tables for people to hangout. Clean modern design. The young man who helped us are very polite. Other than the price are high for a small drink, this is a great spot to spoil yourself once in a while.