Niko Neko Matcha 2.0 / Chinatown — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

We have been long time fans of Niko Neko Matcha since we discovered them at a coffee/tea exhibition years ago, and have been ordering their powders online. We were excited when they opened the concept stores and decided to come here to try the desserts and utilize the coupon we received from our recent online purchase.

At first look, the store's minimalist concept is pleasing to the eyes and has a clean, modern look. They display many of their products at the front corner and has a bowl collection on the other side which makes it feel a little museum-like.

We came here for the cultivar series, and to try as many desserts we could. We are very happy with the drinks (despite the little amount) and would happily recommend the Mini Yuri Burnt Cheesecake and the Choux cream. We even bought the box of 9 pieces of cookies to try and loved them all. There were 3 cookie flavors and our fave is Genmaicha (the Biscoff Houjicha was a little too sweet for our taste). So as far as the food and beverages go, I'd happily rate 5 star.

However, I have to say I am a little less impressed with the in-store experience here. Though it has ample space, the layout is not space-efficient, and makes me feel not at ease while dining here.

There is one order counter, and the pick up place is on the other end. The menu is only available on the order counter and you can only browse through once you're placing the order. This causes the long queue because let's face it, a lot of the orders here are a novelty to many of us, so a lot of people take a long time to consult and decide on their order. My suggestion is to make more menu lists available so the people in line can have a look while waiting for their turn.

Thankfully we came before the crowd so we didn't have to wait at all but seeing other people having to queue, wait for a long time and crowd at one side was a little uncomfortable, especially as our table was directly facing the line. The table was also very small and flimsy. Everytime a customer walked from the order counter to the pick up point, we had to guard the food and drinks because there wasn't much space for them to walk, and it would only take a careless movement to topple the glass drinks and plates over.

I like that there is a system in place where the staff updates the stock immediately once customers make their orders so they can promptly let the next customers know the food availability. They also attempt to control the crowd buy imposing a one hour rule for every customer so that they can accommodate to more customers and no one gets to hog the limited tables.

I like the system and understand why they need it in place, however, I'm disappointed that it took the staff a long time to get my order ready, even though there were only a few customers before us. I would understand if it's freshly cooked food, but the desserts are all ready-made so it doesn't make sense to have to wait that long. I also ordered the box of cookies for takeaway, but it took them 15 minutes to get my order ready. Imagine if you go in a large group and given the same one hour, but your order takes forever to be ready, how long do you actually have to savor your food before you're asked to leave?

The staff was quite attentive and polite, but based on my experience yesterday, I don't think I'll visit again soon. I'm happy to just continue ordering their Matcha, Houjicha and Genmaicha...

Niko Neko has officially disappointed me. I’ve never left a bad review before but this was unacceptable. Even thinking back to it 2 months later it enrages me. Why? Continue reading:

The trainee, working on 4th July at 4pm was absolutely so rude and unprofessional. We walked in and she told us there was a 30min - 1 hour wait for dine in so we said ok, we will order for takeaway.

10mins passed and there was a table and no one else was waiting for a table. So we went over to sit and she came over to say “this table is reserved.” Then we were like oh, for who? She replied “for dine in customers”. So we said alright and asked if we can we sit here before customers come in. She replied no and asked us to move to the back and stand to wait for our drink.

When we moved to the back, there was another table that was empty. So we sat again to rest, while waiting for our drinks. And she came AGAIN to ask us to leave. Again “reserved”. We then said ok then we will have it here instead and she said no. Because we ordered for take away. Usually I would’ve understood but everyone else sitting there also ordered take away but was sitting down on the tables. So what was the issue? Quite obvious to see who ordered for take away and who ordered for dine in because obviously paper cup vs glass cup.

Thankfully another staff came over and said yes we can sit here and changed our takeaway order to dine in order.

Absolute disappointment for being a fan for so long. Additionally most drinks were out of stock and also fresh milk was out of stock (??? Isn’t this a staple for lattes?). So we had to add on RM3 for oat milk (forced).

For paying more than usual and getting this level of service. Won’t be coming back again.

Niko Neko team, please train your staff properly. Especially the floor staff which gives people their first impression. Brought my parents here to try and ended up disappointed in the brand I’ve...

Ambiance: The calming atmosphere of provided the perfect backdrop for savoring a cup of their exquisite matcha lattes. The soft lighting and minimalist decor enhanced the overall experience.

Presentation: The matcha latte was artfully presented. The vibrant green hue of the matcha was visually appealing, and the frothy layer on top added a touch of elegance.

Flavor: The Kiku matcha latte delivered a harmonious blend of earthy undertones and a subtly sweet finish. The balance between bitterness and sweetness showcased the quality of the matcha used in the preparation. Sadly "Ren" was sold out.

Texture: The velvety smooth texture of the drink was a delight to the palate. It maintained a consistent thickness throughout, making each sip a luxurious experience and has the umami ummph.

Temperature: Served at the perfect temperature, the Kiku matcha latte was neither too hot nor too cold, allowing for immediate enjoyment without the need for waiting.

Service: The staffs were knowledgeable about their matcha offerings and provided friendly, attentive service. The drink arrived promptly, and the server was happy to answer any questions about the preparation process.

Overall Experience: Indulging in the matcha latte at Niko Neko was a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. The meticulous attention to detail in presentation, combined with the exceptional flavor profile, makes it a standout choice for matcha enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: Niko Neko has mastered the art of crafting a matcha drink that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also provides a moment of tranquility in every sip. Highly recommended for those seeking a matcha haven in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Definitely...