Dish Cult Dines: Machi Machi

Dish Cult headed along to their soft-opening on Monday evening, a quick trip over the bridge and we were almost at Albany’s Corinthian Drive in a flash. As we arrived, Machi Machi’s sleek and clean interior stood out among the lot of shops it sits in, offering a potentially warmer invitation to come inside than it’s surrounding competitors.

From the get-go, Machi Machi looks almost futuristic – how you’d imagine a fast-food joint in the year 3000. In other words, it’s minimalist and there’s almost no indication of a kitchen back there (although there certainly is one, all their tapioca balls, drinks, and toppings are handmade onsite).

Mimicking the store design on their other stores across the globe (Machi Machi originated in Taiwan and now has 23 stores across Asia, the Pacific, USA, and Europe), no details  of the authentic original brand has been missed out. The delicately printed art pieces around the store’s walls act as the perfect set-up to get the shot while you’re there – as well as a brightly lit neon-sign boasting “I love you so machi”. It’s cute and it’s Instagrammable, two key features of any successful eatery in Aoteaoa.

The menu is a great length, not too overwhelming and features Machi Machi’s signature drinks from Taiwan. The original Taiwanese baristas were brought over to New Zealand to train up the kitchen at Albany’s store – ensuring consistency across the franchises.

Our first pick was the Black Milk Tea with Cream Cheese Foam. Their cream cheese foam is possibly what they’re most notable for. Arriving quickly, we were presented with a classic looking bubble tea, boba and all, and a thick layer of heavy cream on top. Suggested by the friendly staff to sip the cream cheese separately before mixing it altogether, we did just that. The cream cheese foam was as delicious as it sounds; rich, sweet, mimicking a layer of cheesecake above the milk tea. The tapioca balls were perfectly chewy and provided in abundance.

Next up, we couldn’t resist a try of their Jasmine Green Tea with Fresh Seasonal Fruit. Looking like the ultimate refreshing summer drink, it arrived packed with bright oranges, apples, and passionfruit. Living up to the expectations, this one is going to be our go-to for a cool down when the weather gets warmer. Alongside the drink came a wooden pick, a utensil for gathering all the fruit at the bottom once you were done with the tea. A minuscule detail but a very welcomed addition.

The last fresh drink we tried was the Black Milk Tea with Crème Brûlée– a stand-out during our visit to Machi Machi. Arriving with a lid on and instructions to remove it to ‘crack’ the crème brûlée, we were delighted to find the sugar topping had been caramelised exactly as the traditional European dessert would be. Once cracked and mixed, the drink was creamy, sweet, and indulgent. The tea flavours in both Milk Teas was intense and bold, but not overpowering when mixed in with the toppings.

Other menu items included Red bean Brulee Matcha Smoothie with baked Dango, Shizuoka Matcha Latte with Panna Cotta, and Black Milk Tea with Panna Cotta. Priding themselves on using quality ingredients, a Machi Machi milk tea tastes and feels refined and luxurious, with a perfect balance of sweetness. If you’re looking for dessert in a drink, we’d say Machi Machi is the spot for it.

New Zealand’s very first Machi Machi store opens in Albany on Thursday 23rd June, you’ll find them at 11/14 Corinthian Drive.

Rating: 4.7/5 (with the potential to go up once we try their Oat Milk Teas).