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Our story, brewed in Los Angeles
Matcha House started as a tiny counter and grew into a neighborhood gathering spot — one whisked cup at a time.
Since 2021
From Kyoto to our little corner of LA
Matcha House was founded in 2021 by siblings Mia and Daniel Zhao, who spent a year in Uji, Japan learning the craft of ceremonial matcha. When they came home to Los Angeles, they wanted to share that ritual with their own community — without the price tag of a fine-dining tea ceremony.
We opened with a single blender, a bamboo whisk, and a very stubborn belief: bubble tea in America should be fresh, honest and customizable. No powders that dissolve into mystery. No syrups that taste like a science fair. Just real matcha, real fruit, real milk — and a menu you can make your own.
Today we serve over 120,000 cups a year, and our little counter has become a gathering spot for students, artists, families and first dates. The whisk is still bamboo, the pearls are still cooked fresh every two hours, and the welcome mat is still out.
What we stand for
Our values
Three promises we make with every cup — and every conversation.
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Quality first
We use USDA organic ceremonial matcha, real fruit purée and fresh milk — and we publish the calories for every drink, so you always know what you are getting.
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Community heart
We are a neighborhood shop first and a business second. Board game nights, open mics and fundraisers keep our counter full of familiar faces.
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Transparency & honesty
Clear ingredient lists, honest pricing, and allergens labeled on every menu item. If a drink is sweet, we tell you exactly how sweet — down to the gram of sugar.
The people behind the whisk
Meet the team
A small crew with big opinions about tapioca texture.
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Mia Zhao
Co-founder & Head of Tea
Studied matcha ceremony in Uji and still insists on whisking the ceremonial grade by hand.
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Daniel Zhao
Co-founder & Operations
Runs the numbers, the supply chain and the Friday board game nights.
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Sara Kim
Head Barista
Has poured over 40,000 cups and can still tell if a pearl is 30 seconds off in chew.