Junbi Seattle, a matcha-focused café that started in California and has since expanded across the U.S., is in Vancouver for a one-weekend pop-up (April 3–5, Easter weekend) inside Lee’s Donuts in Gastown. The brand is built around matcha and hojicha drinks. The drinks are all whisked properly, not too sweet sweet, and focused on the flavours of tea. If you’re always looking for the next best matcha latte in Vancouver or hojicha latte you need to check out the Junbi Seattle Vancouver pop-up.
What to Order – Junbi Seattle Vancouver Pop Up Menu
The menu is short and sweet (it is a pop up after all!) but there are plenty of choices to satisfy every taste. On my visit I got:
- Ganbaru Matcha Latte with Strawberry Cold Foam ($10.50)
- Chōsen Ceremonial Matcha ($12.00) with Oat Milk (+$1.00)
- Hojicha Latte with Sea Salt Caramel Cold Foam ($10.50)
The Ganbaru Matcha Latte with Strawberry Cold Foam features fresh dairy & Ganbaru matcha with homemade strawberry cold foam. The Ganbaru matcha itself is softer and a bit more rounded, which makes it easier to pair with something like strawberry. The cold foam sits on top rather than blending in, so you get the matcha first, slightly grassy, slightly creamy, and then the strawberry comes in after. It’s not overly sweet, and the strawberry feels more like a light finish at the end.
The Chōsen Ceremonial Matcha Latte features their first harvest shade grown matcha. This Matcha Latte is clean and balanced. There’s a noticeable umami depth, but it doesn’t linger too heavily. The finish is crisp, almost slightly dry, which keeps it from feeling dense or overly rich. It’s the kind of matcha latte that doesn’t need any adjustments. I had mine with oat milk and I think I have found one of my new favourite lattes.
And last, but definitely not least, you need to give their Hojicha a try. Their Hojicha Latte with Sea Salt Caramel Cold Foam was a revelation. This is the one to order. The hojicha is warm and nutty and holds its own even with the cold foam on top. The sea salt caramel adds sweetness, but the salt cuts through just enough to keep everything balanced. It ends up richer than a standard hojicha latte, but not heavy. Just slightly more layered, slightly more complete. Definitely a must try.
Junbi Seattle Vancouver Pop Up – BT21 Collab and Merchandise
Beyond drinks, Junbi is also bringing a selection of their exclusive BT21 merchandise. At the Junbi Seattle Vancouver Pop Up you can purchase:
- Junbi meets BT21 Crewneck ($65.00)
- Junbi meets BT21 Tote Bag ($20.00)
- Junbi meets BT21 Blind Box Glass Cup ($25.00)
If you’re even slightly into BT21 or limited café merch, this is likely going to be a buy-now-or-regret-later situation.
Worth a Try?
Vancouver has no shortage of cafés, but genuinely good matcha is still surprisingly hard to find. Junbi brings a level of consistency and quality that is hard to find here. The Junbi Seattle Vancouver pop-up won’t be around for long, but it’s worth stopping by if you want a solid matcha latte or one of the best hojicha lattes in Vancouver.
Junbi Seattle Vancouver Pop Up
Find them at Lee’s Donuts Gastown (199 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A7)
Website: https://www.instagram.com/junbiseattle
