KIWA Korean Teahouse in Louisville serves matcha, other teas

The first time I tried matcha was during a trip to Japan about 12 years ago. It was ceremonial grade and prepared the traditional way with a chasen, or bamboo whisk. I'd forgotten all about that experience until last year when I'd had my first iced matcha latte.

The cool, sweet treat reminded me how much I enjoyed the green tea powder. I immediately started drinking matcha at home daily, using minimal sweeteners to maintain some of its earthy, slightly bitter flavor.

Fortunately for me — and matcha lovers around Louisville — KIWA, located at 2235 Frankfort Ave., is serving up a variety of matcha options. This includes everything from ceremonial matcha served in a hot bowl to several iced iterations for hot summer days.

I chatted with owner Soo Young Cho about how KIWA came to be and what's new at her Clifton Korean teahouse, from special events to new menu items. Here's what I learned.

Growing up in Seoul, Cho had dreams of becoming a food stylist — but the unique career path was "unfamiliar in the early 2000s in Korea," she said with a laugh.

Taking a more practical approach, she majored in architecture, utilizing her gift for aesthetics. Four years ago, she moved to Louisville, and in January 2024, she opened KIWA, which allowed her to craft a space utilizing her architectural expertise and a desire to present visually appealing food and drink.

"I never worked in a professional kitchen before," she said, adding that there was a bit of a learning curve after initially opening KIWA's doors. Prep time for specific menu items took longer than anticipated, and Cho wanted to learn more about what snacks would best complement the teas and coffees on the menu.

In November, she closed temporarily, traveling to Korea to visit tea farms and gain inspiration. Upon reopening this past January, Cho began offering a refreshed menu with new food items, additional tea offerings, and a significantly expanded selection of matcha.

"Not many people (were) looking for matcha at that time," Cho said of when KIWA first opened. "I think … it's viral now, so everybody started wanting matcha."

Catering to customers' wishes, Cho created an extensive selection of matcha offerings. The drinks utilize a variety of unique ingredients, including yuja, a citrus fruit commonly used in Korean cuisine, and miso, a fermented soybean paste often used in Japanese cooking. I sipped on a miso white chocolate matcha latte while we chatted and found it to be the perfect blend of umami and sweet. It also boasted a strong and distinct matcha flavor—a key indicator of high-quality powder.

"All our matcha drinks are ceremonial grade," Cho said, adding that she orders her powder in bulk from Japan. Matcha lovers who can't get enough of the green stuff can also take home 50-gram batches for $25.

"Korea and Japan, geographically, they are close," Cho said. "I think all (of) eastern Asia — China, Korea, and Japan — we affect each other."

The countries' proximity also affects tea culture, she says, adding that the KIWA menu features a variety of teas from all three Asian countries. There are also a few European tea options and about half a dozen picks from the Bluegrass.

"We brought in some local herbal teas from Red River Gorge," Cho said, "and a local distributor in Danville has some cool infusion and decaf collections. We have some of those as well."

Though guests are welcome to sip on a cappuccino or Americano, Cho is a big proponent of tea and invites everyone who visits KIWA to give a leafy pour a go. For newbies, she suggests starting with French tea. She especially recommends Eros, which features fruity notes.

Though teas take center stage at KIWA, there is also an array of food items to choose from. Savory selections include six kinds of sandwiches made with pug rolls from Blue Dog Bakery, such as yuja miso ham & cheese, kimchi tuna melt, and bulgogi soy sauce beef, to name a few.

"Bulgogi is traditional Korean soy sauce-marinated beef," Cho explained. "It's like Mongolian beef but with more of a garlic base. … It's pretty similar to Philly (cheese) steak, but (with) more exotic flavors."

For those looking for a lighter option, Cho offers toast with jam or liege waffles with jam. There are also a handful of small snacks to accompany a cup of tea, such as rice flour cookies and shortbread cookies.

The summer seasonal menu, which also features a selection of limited-time drinks, boasts a few fresh food options like citrus burrata salad, house-baked fruit bread, and a miso sesame Basque cheesecake.

The first KIWA Late Night event I attended was dubbed "A Night for Book Lovers." For $15, guests enjoyed tea and snacks while spending some time reading, sharing stories, or discussing favorite books.

Cho has since hosted numerous other events, including various workshops and tea omakase. The Late Night Tea Club has also continued on the last Friday of every month, with the next installment slated for Friday, June 27.

The Daytime Dance Party is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. and is open to all ages. DJ Ayomi will be spinning tunes, while artist Kiji Bae will be crafting non-alcoholic drinks. Each $15 ticket includes one bevy from Bae plus a selection of unlimited tea by KIWA. Cho adds that Bae's art is on display and available for purchase.

"We do not take any commissions," she said. "One of the things that I want (is) to open this space (for) sharing culture and artwork, (and) I'm trying to make people addicted to tea!"

Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].

WHAT: This is a locally owned Korean teahouse that serves tea, coffee, and small bites.

WHERE: 2235 Frankfort Ave., #104

SERVICES: Indoor dining and carryout; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Thursday

CONTACT: 502-888-3513, kiwausa.com