South Yarra's Yugen Tea Bar Is Back with a Relaxed Cafe Concept Featuring Grab-and-Go Desserts
While the mood has is now a little more laidback, this spot's elevated Asian-inspired cuisine and carefully considered drinks haven’t gone anywhere.
Opened in 2021, Yugen Tea Bar was about as luxe a tea-drinking experience as you could find in Melbourne. Moody lighting, white tablecloths and a menu spanning 40 teas guided by expert sommeliers set the tone. However, after a significant update, YTB is pulling the experience back – way back – to create a more relaxed, specialty cafe experience. Yet that doesn't mean the venue's inventive, Asian-inspired cuisine or dedication to quality has gone anywhere.
Situated on a busy corner of Chapel Street above the renowned Yugen Dining, visitors can now expect an elevated brunch spot, where mindfully conceived breakfast and lunch cuisine pairs with ONA coffee, matcha lattes and, of course, a serious array of in-house teas. Now catering to locals, office workers and brunch-lovers alike, this more accessible format offers both grab-and-go creations alongside laidback all-day dining.
"With YTB, we wanted to create a space where every dish feels considered – fresh, vibrant, and layered with flavour – where specialty coffee, tea, and thoughtful dishes come together in a welcoming, vibrant setting," says Stephen Nairn, Culinary Director at LK Hospitality and the owner of Yugen. "It's a place designed not just for one visit, but to return to time and time again, whether for a quick morning matcha and snack or a leisurely brunch. We want YTB to feel like a part of the community – somewhere familiar yet always exciting."
This easygoing direction is reflected in the new menu, with made-to-order sangies, vibrant salads and fresh-from-the-oven pastries pumped up with seasonal ingredients and creative flourishes. Take the buckwheat taiyaki – YTB's signature dish – for example. Here, a traditional Japanese fish-shaped waffle is filled with miso egg and aged cheddar togarashi, then served with pickles and a pickled ginger dressing. There's also the caramelised shokupan, where toasted Japanese milk bread is adorned with caramelised banana, bacon and maple butter.
Sweet-tooths will also feel right at home, as Executive Pastry Chef Kay-Lene Tan has shaped a new nostalgia-driven selection of house-baked delights. Bruce the Cake, a decadent Valrhona dark chocolate cake wrapped in a silky ganache, is one alluring highlight. Inspired by Bruce Bogtrotter's cake from Roald Dahl's childhood classic novel Matilda, no one's judging if you sneak an extra slice. There's also the matcha white chocolate cookie – a gooey creation pairing chunky chocolate chips with earthy matcha.
The drinks selection is also top-notch. Behind the coffee machine, Head Barista Alec Guerzoni (CIBI, Allpress, Path Coffee) brings expertise to every cup, whether that's coffee, house-blend teas, ceremonial matcha or hojicha. Meanwhile, there's also a refined selection of beers, wines, sakes and cocktails. Finally, the revamped Yugen Tea Bar will also feature locally crafted ceramics, fresh flowers and exclusive dog treats crafted by Tan.
Yugen Tea Bar is open Monday–Friday from 7.30am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday from 8am–4pm at 605 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Head to the website for more information.
Images: Tim Harris / Jana Langhorst.
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