Matcha, the powdered green tea that’s popular to drink (or used as an ingredient) in Japan, is starting to have its moment in the United States. SHUHARI Matcha Cafe is a modern matcha bar from the Cool Japan Fund that fits right in on Venice’s chic Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Cool Japan Fund is a Japanese initiative that promotes products and services overseas. Matcha is gaining traction in the Los Angeles metro area in part due to their efforts.

The airy SHUHARI space is a natural for the area. Their design features light wood accents, an open kitchen, a pair of benches on concrete flooring, and a bamboo-framed back patio with sun-soaked couches. During my visit, orchids that legendary, globe-trotting chef Nobu Matsuhisa gifted to SHUHARI Matcha Cafe to commemorate their opening were still vivid and vibrant by the counter.

SHUHARI utilizes three grades of matcha, reserving ceremonial matcha for the whisk, culinary matcha for hot drinks, and everyday matcha for Sparklers ($5). Employees make sparklers by shaking soda water shaken with matcha powder. Sparklers come in flavors like lemon, mint, pineapple, and my choice, yuzu. Yuzu, the farmed Japanese citrus fruit, contributed tart brightness to a tea preparation that’s typically earthy.