Top matcha destination makes triumphant return to Vancouver

It’s official: Paragon Tea Room is finally returning to Vancouver’s Cambie Village neighbourhood.

The tea and matcha hotspot has done some moving around over the years, and most recently had to close its location on Cambie Street due to the landlord wanting to make way for a new development.

“While we understand the nature of change, it’s hard to say goodbye to this space that has been home to so many great moments shared over tea,” said Paragon at the time. However, it did share that it was planning to relocate to a new spot, one that was within walking distance of its previous home. Now, that exact location is preparing to welcome matcha and tea lovers through its doors.

Dished had the chance to speak with Michelle Cheung, co-founder of Paragon Tea, about the new location, what people can expect, and when they can visit.

Design

“We’re trying to create an urban tea garden at Cambie, said Cheung, adding that she wants people to imagine themselves walking into a Japanese tea garden.

Cheung explained that they’ve incorporated very specific design elements to achieve this urban tea garden aesthetic. Examples include a floor featuring sequined stepping stones that will guide guests from the door to the order area, marble accented with copper veins meant to represent the roots of a tea tree, and plenty of greenery throughout the store.

Among this new greenery is Paragon’s umbrella rack, which is placed on top of a planter to allow the excess water from your umbrella to water the plant.

“It’s not superly over zen where people come in feeling like they’re in a meditation zone, but more like it’s a quick little break that people might want in the middle of a busy day,” explained Cheung.

But despite the new storefront and all the additions, Cheung wants to put the focus back on where Paragon started seven and a half years ago, and that starts with the tea. More specifically, its tea’spresso machine.

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Drinks and bites

With the matcha craze that has taken the world by storm, Paragon has become synonymous with the viral green tea latte. Just like its other locations, you’ll of course be able to get your matcha latte fix. However, Cheung wants to encourage people to broaden their horizons when it comes to tea.

“I would actually challenge people to try something on the Paragon menu that is not matcha. I don’t know if it’s going to be controversial, but try matcha the first time you come to Paragon, and then try something else,” said Cheung. 

At Paragon, matcha — in addition to its other powdered teas like its powdered hojicha and genmaicha—  is made traditionally with a chasen (a bamboo whisk). But the star of the show is its tea’spresso machine.

Cheung explained that the tea’spresso machine mimics a Gongfu tea ceremony, where it brews tea in multiple infusions to create a stronger aroma and more depth, but in a modernized way.

“We’re not actually doing a Gongfu tea ceremony in front of people, but we’re using technology that’s built upon the tradition of proper brewing methods, and that’s exactly what Paragon’s about,” said Cheung.

Examples include many of the rotating seasonal options the tea cafe offers, including its winter addition of the Kinako Cold Foam Hojicha.

“Kinako is a nutty, roasty soybean powder often served with Japanese desserts like mochi,” describes Paragon. “Usually made with yellow soybeans, we discovered an even toastier black soybean version in Japan and knew we had to incorporate it into our menu.”

 

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This dedication to brewing the perfect cup of tea goes even further than its tea’spresso machines, as Cheung encourages feedback from customers if they feel like their drink isn’t right.

“Especially during this soft opening period, we are more than happy to make [guests] another drink, and another drink, the second time, third time. We just need to know what needs to be tweaked, and that’s our promise to our customers,” she added.

Plus, Cheung teased that there are plans to do collabs with some of its Vancouver neighbours, including the new Street Hawker Turbo, which recently opened next door.

“When people think about the collabs that we have had in the past, it has always been more like a dessert and pastries. But from time to time, we like to do things out of the box, [and the collaboration with Street Hawker] will be one of the things: [showing] how tea can be used in savoury items.” 

Exact details on the collab have yet to be shared, but be sure to keep an eye on Paragon’s Instagram for any announcements.

Paragon Tea Room Cambie softly opens on Friday, Jan 16 and operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. However, those looking to get their tea fix can pop by today during staff training.

You can also visit Paragon at its locations in Richmond, YVR Airport, and CF Pacific Centre.

Paragon Tea Room — Cambie

Address: 3432 Cambie St., Vancouver

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