108 Matcha Saro
108 Matcha Saro is a Japan-born matcha specialty brand founded in Asahikawa, Hokkaido in 2013, now operating 11 locations internationally across Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. This page covers its overseas expansion status, key operational features, and franchise contract types for international operators.
Overseas Franchise
Expansion Status
| Products and Services Offered | lattes, Matcha obanyaki (traditional Japanese stuffed pancake), matcha soft serve ice cream, parfaits, warabi mochi (bracken-starch dumpling), |
|---|---|
| Countries of Overseas Expansion | Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia (as of January 2026) |
| Number of Overseas Locations | 11 locations (as of January 2026) |
| Franchise Contract Type | Master franchise / Area franchise |
The Matcha Brand That
Skipped the Cafe Format.
Founded in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, 108 Matcha Saro is a brand expanding its presence within Japan, as well as in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The distinguishing feature of this brand is its development of stores specialized in takeout, whereas many matcha brands adopt a cafe format.
The matcha obanyaki, baked fresh at the storefront, has gained support from customers in overseas commercial facilities as a convenient, easy-to-eat product. By combining traditional Japanese baked sweets with matcha, distinguishing it from stores that offer only beverages.
Key Features of
the Overseas Franchise
Obanyaki Plus Matcha Latte.
The Natural Pair.
As competitors offering matcha beverages increase in overseas markets, the presence of the unique product obanyaki, which requires dedicated griddles and specialized skills, creates a product that most matcha beverage competitors haven't matched.
This product satisfies the need for light meals, making it possible to build stable sales across a wide range of hours. Furthermore, the product design naturally encourages cross-selling with cold matcha drinks, tending to expand the order beyond a single item despite being a takeout model.
That said, obanyaki requires dedicated griddles and hands-on preparation skills — maintaining consistent quality across franchise locations where staff training and equipment setup vary is an operational consideration that purely beverage-based matcha concepts don't face.
Small Space. Prime Location.
Light to Open.
Because it is a takeout-specialized model that does not require seating, it is possible to open stores in small spaces. This enables flexible store openings in prime locations with heavy foot traffic, such as urban commercial facilities and inside train stations.
This is a format well suited to high-traffic locations where space is at a premium and flexibility to test new sites matters.
Layer the Products.
Add the Parfait.
The stores offer parfaits that combine existing products such as matcha soft serve ice cream and warabi mochi. The visual appeal of the layered ingredients serves as a factor that encourages spontaneous information sharing by consumers through social media.
This menu item can be offered without adding new cooking equipment or complex processes. Adding a visually distinctive product to the lineup without requiring new equipment tends to expand the order naturally beyond the core items.
Reviews from Store Visitors
"They made it fresh and the outer skin was hot and crispy. The red bean paste was just right, not too sweet."
"The Obanyaki with red bean paste and matcha dough, paired with matcha latte. The Warabi Mochi was a good choice too. Will come back."
"The warabi mochi covered with matcha powder and soybean powder was soft, chewy and jelly-like, with a texture that melts quickly."
"I tried two types of the obanyaki: matcha custard with warabi mochi, and the original dough with custard. We also tried the mixed matcha soft serve in a cone. The matcha was not overpowering."
"Good variety of matcha drinks, cold and hot. The green tea pancake is worth trying as well, and the ice cream is quite good."
108 Matcha Saro
Company Information
| Brand Name | 108 Matcha Saro |
|---|---|
| Company Name | 108 Co., Ltd. |
| Head Office Location | NA Bldg., 2-7-28 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Date of Establishment | September 2013 |
Before They Eat.
Reading through the reviews, the texture descriptions keep coming up — "soft, chewy, jelly-like that melts quickly." That's a specific thing to write about a warabi mochi, but it makes sense. Textures don't photograph, so when someone writes it out, they actually mean it.
The catch headline says it — the parfait gets photographed first. But the obanyaki being made right there, fresh, seems to be the thing that gets people back. Kind of a different hook than most matcha brands.