Matcha outsells coffee at this brunch spot with a secret drinks menu
Udon carbonara is an Asian fusion staple; this is a smart rendition, the chewy, cheese-scattered noodles served alongside soy-glazed thick-cut bacon, oozy egg yolk and a little dashi broth, which helps smooth the flavours and lighten the dish. Avocado toast is a cheery pile of lightly charred avo (smoky, but not warm or gross), spicy hummus and wasabi 'granola' (grains stirred with blitzed wasabi peas, which is a clever touch).
The same granola base, this time mixed with cocoa rather than peas, is scattered over an acai bowl which amps up the colour and flavours with tropical fruit and a fudgy square of brownie. As winter hits, look for hot waffles instead of chilly acai. Wagyu mince is turned into a spiced pattie, crumbed, fried and splodged with curry pickle mayo for the milk-loaf sandwich.
Tapping into trends and hype can feel cynical, but Sana is more about joy, fun and a sincere welcome. Yes, there's a not-so-secret menu, but the real secret to Sana's success is that Chrun and his team are still surprised and grateful that people are seeking out the place: if you whisk it, they will come.
Three more matcha specialists to try
Matcha Kobo
This new city spot stone-mills matcha then whisks it to order for specialty hot and cold drinks. There's table seating, but you can really channel Kyoto by sitting cross-legged on cushions in the faux temple area. Kobo is above DIY Japanese burger grill Nikuland, also worth a visit.
2/258 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/matchakobo
Meet Forest
Too much cute is never enough at tiny Meet Forest. Desserts include multi-layered matcha crepe cakes, matcha mochi and matcha Basque cheesecakes. There's a miniature dressed-up dog called Sesame, and coffee is taken seriously too.
Naau
They're both green, earthy and nutty, so why wouldn't pistachio go with matcha? One-year-old Naau is a small city cafe that does matcha every which way, including a hot, frothy pistachio version, which could be my winter winner.
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