A serene new dessert destination has quietly debuted at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, bringing Japanese confectionery artistry to Hong Kong’s busiest shopping district. Café Urasaki, a specialty sweet shop, has opened its doors on the third floor of the Seaport Building and immediately set itself apart by partnering with Gion Kitagawa Hanbee — a venerable tea merchant from Uji, Kyoto, with 165 years of tradition. The collaboration yields a lineup of matcha- and hojicha-infused creations helmed by Chef Ken, a former executive pastry chef from agnès b. CAFÉ, whose philosophy centres on pure, unadulterated flavour.
A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation
The partnership between Café Urasaki and Gion Kitagawa Hanbee pairs centuries-old tea craftsmanship with modern pastry techniques. For the matcha items, the merchant’s premium “Ki no Shiro” powder is used, prized for its vibrant colour, fine texture, and balanced sweetness. The hojicha (roasted green tea) series employs a unique high-temperature roasting method that imparts a deep, toasty aroma without bitterness. By sourcing directly from this historic tea house, the café ensures that every dessert carries a distinct sense of place.
The Menu: Matcha Creations with a Twist
Basque Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies
These inventive treats combine two beloved textures — a crisp, cocoa-rich cookie shell encasing a whole slice of creamy Basque cheesecake. Three varieties are available:
- Original – HKD $38
- Hojicha Caramel – HKD $40
- Matcha – HKD $42
Due to the meticulous, small-batch process, only 120 pieces are baked each day, with a limit of six per person. The cheesecake is made from top-tier Japanese wheat flour, French cream, and fresh eggs — completely free of artificial additives.
Other Signature Items
- Matcha Gold Leaf Cheesecake (HKD $68 per slice, HKD $368 for a 4-inch cake): Five layers of indulgence, including matcha sponge, cream cheese, ganache, and mousse beneath a silky matcha glaze.
- Matcha Chestnut Tart (HKD $65): A delicate shell filled with French chestnut purée, chewy mochi, and a generous dusting of Kitagawa Hanbee matcha, balancing sweet, nutty, and umami notes.
- Matcha Lemon Pudding (HKD $42 jar): A refreshing, creamy pudding that cuts matcha’s natural richness with a citrusy lemon ganache.
Chef Ken’s Vision: Desserts as Mindfulness
Chef Ken, who spent years perfecting fine-dining pastries at agnès b. CAFÉ, brings a philosophy of “pure taste” to Café Urasaki. Every ingredient is chosen for its quality and transparency, with no artificial flavours or preservatives. The café’s minimalist interior — designed to be a “healing space” — invites guests to slow down and savour each bite, offering a quiet respite from the Harbour City bustle.
Looking Ahead
The café doesn’t stop at single-serving sweets. It also stocks bake gift boxes and Japanese tea powders imported directly from Kyoto, ideal for thoughtful presents. In December, two new roll cakes will join the lineup: a fresh cream matcha roll cake and a fresh cream lemon roll cake, giving regulars something new to anticipate.
Plan Your Visit
Café Urasaki is located at Kiosk J, 3/F, Seaport Building, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Why It Matters
Hong Kong’s dessert scene is increasingly drawn to stories of provenance and craftsmanship. By anchoring its menu around a 165-year-old tea merchant and a chef dedicated to purity, Café Urasaki taps into a growing appetite for desserts that are both refined and meaningful. It elevates matcha from a trendy ingredient to a vessel for cultural exchange, and sets a new benchmark for ingredient transparency in the city’s pastry landscape. For matcha lovers, Harbour City just became a must-visit — not just to shop, but to taste history.