Welcome to the SGV Iced Matcha Latte series. The San Gabriel Valley (often known as SGV) is iconic for its tea shops. The biggest question is: which ones have the best iced matcha lattes? Everyone needs a good iced matcha fix once in a while. The challenge is finding a shop that offers good-quality matcha, is accessible, and doesn’t break the bank. I got you covered, so you don’t have to go out and experiment yourself.
The Iced Matcha Latte
The SGV iced matcha lattes are simple: matcha, a regular/medium-sized cup, iced, regular/recommended sweetness, and regular/standard milk. Higher-quality matcha has a smoother, more savory taste, while lower-quality matcha tastes bitter and metallic. That’s why some shops would mask it with a TON of sweetness. We’re also going through an era of matcha shortages because it’s a hype.
SGV Iced Matcha Latte Ranking
Here’s a fun table with my ranking of iced matcha lattes based on taste, price, and convenience. The order is from my personal favorite at the top to my least favorite at the bottom.
| Price for Standard Size | Online Order Capabilities? | In-Person Long Line? | |
| Molly Tea | $6.99 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Unique Green | $6.95 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Matcha Ren | $6.25 | ✔ | ⊘ |
| Cha Redefine | $6.50 | ✔ | ⊘ |
| BU Pastry Bar | $7.00 | ⊘ | ⊘ |
| Mandarin | $6.75 | ⊘ | ✔ |
Since the original blog post, I ended up bumping up Molly Tea after realizing online ordering is a better option, and haven’t had any wait issues since (at both the San Gabriel and Arcadia locations). Molly Tea is now the goated spot for the Iced Premium Jasmine Matcha Milk Tea. Do yourself a favor and order ahead of time!!!
Here is my take on the three additions to this list.
Unique Green (UG Tea)
When Unique Green reopened in San Gabriel, there was a HUGE line because of a buy one get one free offer. After the hype died down a bit, I got to try Unique Green’s Next Level Matcha Latte. I actually liked it a lot, but not as much as Molly Tea. I like that there is a dedicated parking lot, so you don’t have to park on the streets or some weird spot. You can only get the medium size for $6.95; it is on the more expensive end, but it is still good enough for me. The standard sugar level is 30%, which is sweet enough. You can also order online via DoorDash.
Unique Green – UG Tea San Gabriel
308 W Valley Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Matcha Ren
Located within the Westfield Santa Anita, 2nd floor, between Din Tai Fung and exiting outside to Nordstrom, Matcha Ren is up next. Honestly, I would have ranked it the same as Cha Redefine. Go to Matcha Ren for a grab-and-go experience, or to Cha Redefine for somewhere to sit. I also prefer the consistency of the milk from Matcha Ren.
Marcha Ren
400 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
BU Pastry Bar
BU Pastry Bar is Pasadena’s newest patisserie with freshly basked canele, dacquoise, and madeleines. You need to check them out for their baked goods. I just had a matcha dacquoise while typing up this blog post, and it tasted absolutely amazing??? Their iced matcha latte is really to accompany the baked goods you’ve just picked up. BU Pastry Bar is next to Mandarin Coffee Stand, which I would skip the line at Mandarin and go straight here… The matcha latte is better by faaaaaarrrr.
BU Pastry Bar’s matcha latte is on the more expensive end at $7.00, not because it is some super high-end fancy matcha. This is not a chain, so you’re really supporting a small business. The team wakes up early every morning to freshly bake their menu selection. You’ll have to wait in line, but at least there is plenty of parking!
Bu Pastry Bar
380 S Lake Ave #107
Pasadena, CA 91101
