hello arigato: is it worth it?
i’ve been on a matcha binge lately and hello arigato has been popping up EVERYWHERE on my tiktok 😩 so i thought that i would come and try it!
i ordered the strawberry cloud matcha ($6) which was not bad, the strawberry was not very overpowering as compared to some places but the matcha taste was not really there either 😮💨 kinda understandable since the matcha was more like a foam than normal matcha! (the coffee matcha on the other hand, rly strong coffee taste and not sweet at all it was like drinking a normal latte for $6.50 💀)
the mentaiko pasta was not bad for its price ($22) they were generous with the fish roe and scallop sashimi but the sauce was quite citrusy which weirded me out a little but overall was still fine and i cleared my plate! BUT the tiong bahru outlet (which is where i went) has an outlet exclusive HAE BEE HIAM PASTA which i’ll be down to try if i go back again!
my friend said that the sauce on the yuzu honey chicken sando was really sweet which is not my personal cup of tea 🤨
overall, a good first time experience but wouldn’t be a place i would go back to regularly 🙂↕️
image sources: helloarigato & daniel food diary
One standout on Hello Arigato’s menu that really caught my eye was the outlet-exclusive Hae Bee Hiam pasta. Made with tiger prawn, homemade hae bee hiam sauce featuring dark caramel, sakura ebi, and negi oil, it offers a rich and flavorful twist on traditional pasta that I’m eager to try next time! This dish blends spicy, sweet, and umami flavors, showcasing the kitchen's creativity beyond just matcha drinks. For fellow matcha lovers, while the strawberry cloud matcha is light and refreshing, those who crave a stronger matcha profile might want to explore other drinks on their menu. I noticed the matcha was more whipped foam than the usual earthy, deep matcha taste, which is a unique take but may not satisfy purists. If you enjoy coffee, their coffee matcha latte delivers a bold coffee punch with no added sweetness, catering well to those who prefer unsweetened beverages. However, some may find it more of a coffee experience than a matcha one. As for the savory options, the mentaiko pasta was a generous serving with ample fish roe and fresh scallop sashimi, though its citrusy sauce might be an acquired taste for some. The mention of miso and fresh black pepper in the dishes suggests a balance of flavors, adding complexity to the offerings. Overall, Hello Arigato presents an adventurous menu blending Japanese-inspired flavors with café culture. It’s perfect for trying new taste combinations, but if you’re looking for a classic matcha experience, you might want to sample other cafes as well. I’m definitely intrigued to revisit the Tiong Bahru outlet to try that highly recommended Hae Bee Hiam pasta and see how it lives up to the hype.
