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To be honest i was disappointed with the matcha... Why is this so hyped? I definitely prefer rok, airoma, vivot
I went to Damo around 2pm on a weekend, and the line was already starting to form out the door. Unfortunately, the line takes up a majority of the cafe space, along with the few sitting tables, so it was pretty difficult to find a spot to wait for my drink after ordering. The pickup area can also get blocked by the line or waiting area, which can make it a little awkward when you're trying to reach over someone to grab your drink. I ordered the Coconut Hojicha and the Matcha Einspanner. The Coconut Hojicha was refreshing, nutty, and definitely the standout of the two. It's such a fun twist on the typical matcha coconut drink, and I have to give Damo their flowers for creating something that feels unique. The Matcha Einspanner wasn't particularly stand-out compared to some of the other cafes in K-Town, but it was still a well-balanced drink with a nice mix of bitterness, sweetness, and creaminess. I can definitely see why so many people consider Damo one of their favorite cafes. Despite the crowded setup, the drinks are creative and thoughtfully done!
Absolutely obsessed with the Hojicha Coconut! This drink is DIVINE, so refreshing, creamy, and delicious. I could literally drink 10 of these! It's definitely a must-try, and I already can't wait to come back for another one. The cakes were just okay for me. I'd probably pass on them next time if I'm just getting something for myself, but they would make a cute gift or present for someone!
Matcha strawberry einspanner really good and creamy You can taste the matcha but it blends beautifully w the strawberry puree and cream top.very crowded when we stopped by. Not enough tables and no one was wiping them down either so it was sticky. Accepted apple pay n cc with no additional surcharge. Drinks came out quick and parking was free.
We ordered the Damo latte - an espresso shot with agave sweetener and the Matcha cream top. The espresso flavor wasn't terribly strong and the matcha tasted alright to me There was a long line of customers and it's a pretty popular Korean drink shop in Koreatown!
Solid matcha place in ktown!! There's so many places around and it's a saturated market so I get the competition... but this place holds its own! Matcha is rich and bold, there's a good amount so it's not weak. Milk ratio is good so it's not diluted at all. The cream top is nice and thick and doesn't melt into the drink! Matcha Cream Top ($7.75)-- I looooove me a nice and thick cream top and this place does it amazingly. It's thick and perfectly sweetened and doesn't melt with the drink/ice. It stays perfectly thick and still and above the matcha unless you mix it in. The matcha is also really nice and rich. None of the bland or grassy taste. Just genuine good matcha! Chocolate Forest ($7.75)-- Basically same as above but the cream on top tastes like Milo/Ovaltine mixed in. It's a nice and sweet nostalgic taste. Not a hint of bitterness so if you want mocha/dark chocolate this is not the one for you. It's more happy kid hot chocolate vibes. Overall I really like this place for their matcha and would get it again. Pricing is steep but all good matcha goes for around $8 nowadays. Theres a shared parking lot (free if you go in the afternoon) but otherwise street parking.
got the strawberry matcha!! the cream top was delicious and so glad it didn't make the entire matcha drink heavy bc i just wanted something sweet and refreshing! the service was nice and quick! got my drink within 5-7 mins after ordering!! the inside was on the smaller side and it got busy/crowded fast so recommend getting your drinks to go!
Pretty solid matcha spot that I'm more willing to go to now that the lines have died down :) We got the iced matcha latte and matcha einspanner, both half sweet which was the perfect level. Drinks come out pretty quickly too! There is a moderate amount of seating for socializing or studying. We came on a Saturday morning and were lucky enough find a parking spot in the lot (which is shared by a lot of places including the new bakery Out of Ordi)
I stopped by DAMO and ordered a matcha latte. The matcha had a vibrant, earthy flavor that was stronger than most matcha places I've been to. I appreciated the quality of the tea, and the matcha powder and cream on top was not too overly sweet. My friend and I were able to enjoy our drinks inside the shop, as there were plenty of tables available for people to chat with friends or study or work inside.
Visited this spot on a Wednesday at noon and they constantly had a flow of customers coming in and out. There's only a handful of tables and chairs with some stool seating against the front window. Ordered a matcha latte and I kind of regret not adding the cream foam after, but it was already a $7 cup of matcha. Upon mixing and tasting it left a bitter aftertaste so I didn't really enjoy it. I added two packs of raw sugar to try and alter it but I probably should have asked for sweetener or cream top because it still left a bitter aftertaste. Service was lackluster, not warm and friendly, but pretty straightforward. I was able to snag a parking spot in the lot but it wasn't plentiful as the plaza is busy shared with the salt bread shop.
One of my top 3 favorite matcha spots in LA. The matcha and hojicha always come out consistent and strong
Very delicious matcha and flavor. Strawberry is super good and flavorful. So yummy love it
My new favorite spot for decadent matcha and hojicha drinks! The cream top on the hojicha einspanner was so creamy and thick, and it was also the perfect level of sweetness. The strawberry matcha einspanner was also yummy and had a great presentation The space is pretty small but there are a few seats available. The line was around 20 minutes long on a Saturday afternoon. Like most spots in ktown, the parking lot is limited and you'll likely need to find street parking, but it is definitely worth the hype!
Yummy matcha place in K-Town! The interior is super welcoming and clean. The uniforms that the workers wear are really adorable and aesthetically pleasing! Staff is super friendly. The service goes by super quick considering how it's always packed inside and there are so many drinks to try on the menu. I stuck with the basic matcha latte order to try out their matcha and it was AMAZING! The matcha is really high quality! It probably is the best matcha spot I've gone to in both the Bay Area and SoCal area. Definitely check this spot out if you happen to pass by it or want your matcha fix! read more
10 months ago
This is one of the better matcha einspanner I've had it feels so full and not super bitter but fresh at the same time. I've come often just to get one from here but I definitely don't like coming on a weekend or later in the day it gets so busy but this matcha is always severed great so that's why I keep coming. The people who frequent this place aren't the nicest and that's probably why I have issues with the location besides the parking that can be horrible but it's LA so yeah parking. It's cute inside if you can find a seat to sit at. Staff is nice! read more
2 years ago
heard so many good things about damo! i got the mango cream matcha ($7.50) and strawberry einspanner ($7) with oat milk ($0.75), both were very enjoyable. love how they add lots of mango as every sip had mango bits. the matcha was a bit powdery tho even after mixing it, i did have a sip full of matcha powder lol. the strawberry einspanner was yummy, my sister liked how the cream had a nice sweetness to it! no wait, free parking in la is always a bonus, friendly staff, the cafe is a bit small with maybe like 6-7 tables? def on my top la cafe list, i'll be back to try their other drink options read more
God DAMO this is one of the best coffee shops in ktown right now. Given the location, it'll be real busy but it's a great modern vibe to enjoy coffee or do work or whatever. Parking in the lot is hit or miss but street parking is an option as well. For starters, go for the Einspener, then lattes, then everything else. I got a chocolate forest einspener and the chocolate cream blends nicely with the matcha. Mind you all Einspeners are iced but it's delicious nonetheless. The baristas take great care in their craft and the quality is impeccable. If I lived nearby, I'd come here every day even with the higher price tag. So all you ktown locals, I'm jealous that you have such a fantastic coffee shop nearby now. The hojicha and matcha einspeners are their most popular so definitely get that if you're a first timer. I plan to drink my way down the list so my own advice is moot. read more
10 months ago
It's okay. Has a metallic matcha taste. Quality is not good as rok. But service was nice. Cash register lady was very sweet . Too bad their matcha didn't meet the expectations read more
My friend tried this place before and recommended this place after our hike. It has a spacious parking lot. I love their minimalistic interior and their tea displays. I love strawberry anything and was excited to try the strawberry tonic and they do not skimp on their fresh strawberries. Love the drink and would definitely come back here to try their pastries. read more
3 years ago
Their Matcha is amazing! Second time now. I'll be trying their other Matcha drinks that are on the warmer side now. - @eatingwithricardo read more
Very nice ambience inside with a few seating spaces, but it gets very busy and crowded so do not expect to have a place to sit down. The wait to order takes a while when there's a long line, but the wait for the drinks isn't terrible. The matcha itself was more on the astringent and bitter side and not on par with some higher quality matchas I've tried, but it was still pleasant to drink. The foam on the top pairs very well with the matcha and provides the sweetness to balance it out. read more
Came here for matcha and hojicha latte-- my friend got matcha and said it was great (along w/ a waffle). I got hojicha latte which was good but was so small and in a dinky paper cup. It also took nearly 35 minutes for my one latte to come out which was wild to me since there were maybe 3-4 people working at the time. Not sure if this is just them being new or not but something to be aware of -private lot, but plaza has maybe 30(?) businesses so parking is still difficult. I managed to snag the last spot when I went -small seating area -accepts CC read more
Found parking in the lot right away, and there was no line on a Friday afternoon. The Matcha Latte had plenty of matcha flavor without being bitter, and the Strawberry Eispanner tasted just like a strawberry sundae with lots of small fruit chunks. Drinks are $6.50 upward. Very nice interior, but not much seating. read more
2 years ago
Can confirm their matcha is worthy of the "best matcha in LA rumors". The matcha was high quality and the cream top balanced well when you mix the latte altogether. The service was quick even though there was a long line. Seems like a very popular coffee shop to catch up with friends in or study at, it was packed on the weekend when I went. read more
4 stars for fast service, nice decor, decent snacks, and decent basic matcha. Kinda busy on Wednesday afternoon, I think parking is free? I think they should add more things to the menu and have the snacks and bakery items be more fresh/stored better read more
Tried the mango cream and strawberry matcha lattes. Both were very good. Mango was an 8/10 and strawberry was a 10/10! I added strawberry cream to my strawberry matcha. I personally like the combination of strawberry and matcha better than mango but if you like mango a lot it is very good. A little expensive- over $16 for 2 drinks but high quality and tasty. Not too busy on a Sunday morning and parking was easy. Would be a nice place to study. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
One of my favorite LA matchas! Such high quality and quick service too! It's a small cafe though so seating can be hard to find especially on weekends, and it gets crowded fast. read more
6 months ago
I have been to Damo every time I come to LA and it is honestly my favorite Matcha spot of all time. I usually get the Matcha Einspanner and it is the BEST thing I have ever drank. Service is ususally great and people seem to like to hang out there. I recently brought my friend here and she agreed it was the best matcha she had ever drank as well. I love Damo so much and will be continuing to get their Matcha Einspanner!!! read more
Loved this simplistic tea house in LA for their hot teas and hand-crafted drinks. The shop was located in KTown and fit the vibes very well to a Korean cafe. The tea we ordered came with a unique set to brew the tea as well as a hourglass to let you know when the tea leaves were done steeping. It was a fun way to make your tea and I really want to own one of their glass sets now! As for my matcha, I chose from the Einspanner category, which I learned were their drinks with a cream top. The cream takes up about a fourth of the cup but was my favorite part of the drink. It was the perfect amount of creamy and sweet! I love a good ceremonial matcha latte and DAMO exceeded my expectations. Definitely suggesting this cafe for their Einspanner drinks and even their high-quality teas. read more
11 months ago
Hot Matcha latte wasn't good. Politely asked for a different drink, barista said of course and made it. Then a male barista said they don't remake drinks. Showed them my cup was full and I clearly didn't enjoy the drink. They said nothing they could do, didn't offer a refund. I was confused since they clearly already made a different drink. I had to ask for the refund . So now make this make sense to me. You're throwing away two good drinks and losing money from an order, at that point why wouldn't you just make sure the customer is happy and give them the drink that they requested which would result in me not asking for a refund. "Damo" has a reputation for good matcha, if someone doesn't agree with that maybe it would make more sense to get off your high horses and ensure customer satisfaction over ego. Just a thought. read more
1 year ago
Matcha was flavorful, good balance of sweet and earthy. The line was long but they made the drinks quick. Crowded so not the best place to sit and chill read more
Came in during an odd time but it was still quite packed with only 1 table available. The tea shop had a casual vibe with Korean music playing in the background. I opted for the mango matcha and it did not disappoint! So refreshing on a hot day. Would recommend checking it out if you're around the area! read more
2 years ago
This coffee shop has a clean aesthetic inside that's good for studying or doing work. Not too loud at all but with limited shared seating - so good to come earlier to snag a spot. This place is known for their Hojicha and matcha so of course I had to try their Hojicha einspener (Hojicha with cream top)! The quality does not disappoint at all with their teas. I drank my Hojicha drink in layers so I can appreciate the deep richness of the Hojicha tea itself. It was very earthy and the quality is the best I've had so far. The cream top was thick and sweet - tasted almost like a tiramisu (but seriously not too sweet). When drank together the rich earthiness of the Hojicha paired so well with the sweet, frothy cream! Very good balance and they dusted it with hojicha powder - very high quality too. I want to come back to try their matcha to see how the quality is too! read more
2 years ago
tldr: I think this place has potential but this I personally didn't have the best experience - see the long lines and my attached photographs. -- Food - 3.5/5* potentially but by the end I would give it closer to a 1.5/5. Matcha Latte (Hot) I ordered a hot matcha latte and to start with I'd say it was a matcha with a bit of astringency but clearly of high quality (even if my preference is more rounded/balanced matchas). The milk was also really well prepared with a nice texture and warm but not hot. Just right. Probably would've gotten a 3.5/5 out of 5. However, as I was almost done with my drink I found a felt this dry powdery ball in my mouth which I almost coughed up. It was a pea-sized lump of matcha. An analogy be going for breakfast and being served a lumpy pancake. Imagine a lump of dry flour in your pancake and you accidentally took a bit of it. Not pleasant. For those who don't know matcha is different from most teas because you actually eat the ground up leaves (whereas most teas you strain the leaves). This means an important step in this process is that the ground up matcha powder should be sifted then carefully whisked in a M or W shaped pattern (rather than mixed like a O/circle shaped pattern). Doing both steps properly would prevent such a thing from happening. If it was done properly I don't see how one could be left with such a large clump... Normally if it was an issue like this I wouldn't ask for a new drink or anything (I'd decline if they offered) but gently let the staff know "hey, there's an issue here. you and your managers should figure out a way to prevent this from happening to anyone else." but in this case, there were 2 circumstances leading me to not speak up. 1. I didn't notice until I got to the end of my drink and was 90% finished with it. 2. The line was so busy the last thing I wanted to do is bother these busy baristas to tell the something went wrong. -- Service & Experience - 3/5 I came for a quick drink before heading to a dinner in ktown on Sunday February 2nd around 345PM. When I came every seat was taken and the line was awkwardly formed to not overcrowd the packed seating. Luckily by the time I ordered it had started thinning out so I was able to nab a seat for a bit before I left around at 415 but which time there were actually a lot of open seats. -- Ambiance - 3.5/5 As a tea/coffee enthustiast I loved the setup behind the counter where they have a collection of kyusu (Japanese tea pots) as well as the collection of chawan (Japanese ceramic matcha bowls). This plaza has a decent sized parking lot and I've been to other businesses here and have generally not had a big issue finding a spot other than one out of maybe 5 visits. -- Detailed Thought If I hadn't had any issues, this would be a 4/5 and I think most people who come would be happy. I would have been curious to come back to try the matcha einspener or strawberry matcha... But after this, I am not sure I would ever come back; but on the other hand, I get it - it was extremely busy when I arrived and let me vouch that each employee looked like they were hustling (much respect to them from someone who used to work in the industry) but matcha clumps *that large* don't leave me with the best impression of this place. Giving this place the benefit of the doubt, I may have been a fluke but I would hope no one else has the same experience. I am not sure I would give this place another chance since it seems like it's always busy and I don't have confidence there are systems in place to prevent mistakes when it is so busy which from what I gather it almost always is. (Comparatively, Community Goods is just as busy but the way they batch make their matcha gives me a lot more confidence it wouldn't happen). read more
1 year ago
This place became my husband's favorite. I personally like hijicha better because I'm not a big fan for anything matcha, their tea is pretty smooth and nice. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
One of my friends wanted to check this place out because we had heard good things about this cafe. It's located on the first floor in between other shops that I didn't take note of in Oxford Center Plaza on W 8th St in Koreatown. There is a parking lot with ample stalls. The shop itself is quite small but there were some seats for customers. There was a huge selection of drinks from either coffee or teas. However, the very first drink that caught my eyes was the Mango Cream Matcha. Neither coffee or tea which I definitely needed in the morning (whoops). But I definitely did not regret it as it was very good! I thought the drink was quite sweet with the mango purée but the combination of the matcha, mango and cream worked SO well. I was impressed by how smooth the entirety of the drink was. A friend got their Yuzu Espresso Tonic, a drink she loooves, but a drink I've never tried and was very intrigued by it. I was hesitant on getting it as the Mango Cream Matcha was calling my name more than the yuzu. She got an extra shot of espresso and gave me a sip to try. Instantly, I was not a fan LOL. Mainly because the flavors of the drink was not my cup of tea (not because the shop made it terrible). My friend LOVED it which I assumed was great quality. Thankful the mango was calling my name more than the yuzu drink LOL. My other friends got their Strawberry Einspanner and a Damo Latte. I didn't try either, but they seemed to like their drinks. Aside from coffee, they had a variety of tea selections from different countries. The next time I'm in the area, I have to try their teas as this seemed more of a tea shop than a coffee shop based on its menu. They also had a food selection to complement the drinks. read more
2 years ago
My friend and I came here on a Saturday around 12pm. We got the matcha with Strawberry Foam and Hojicha Latte. Both were very good and not too sweet! The Hojicha Latte came with Hojicha foam and was a perfect mix with the tea. We were curious about the Rice Mochi Waffle- 2 thin layer of mochi waffle with a a little bit of sweet creme on the side. Although it was tasty, it's not something we'd get again for $9! The shop was really cute- they had a fair amount of tables for friends to catch up or study. However it was pretty crowded during rush hour. The service was very fast and efficient! Note: Parking is very limited in the lot as it's shared with other stores. The parking lot is one way flow so don't skip on the first one you see. I would also note that the parking lot is not for the weak! Good Parker's only lolllll read more
2 years ago
I came here on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't too packed when I walked in, but started getting packed a bit later when I was leaving. It's a clean and aesthetically pleasing coffee shop which makes it nice to catch up with friends or get some work done. There were a lot of drink options - we got the cold brew and the matcha latte. I really liked the matcha latte. It was smooth and creamy, you could really taste the matcha in the drink. I would probably get this again if I wanted something familiar, or try one of the many other drinks that they have.This cafe is located in a plaza so there is a decent sized parking lot. read more
1 year ago
This is hands down the best iced matcha latte in LA - nice a strong! All of their drinks are works of art. The weekend lines are super long... it makes sense, they put a lot of attention on the drinks they craft. read more
The loveliest tea and Korean dessert cafe in Ktown! The workers are so friendly and welcoming, with a spacious work space with free Wi-Fi. They offer a wide selection of tea and their signature drink is the hojicha einspanner! The damo latte is sweetened with agave syrup and was perfectly sweet and nutty. I love the Korean "dashik" (sampler set of snacks). It reminded me of traditional snacks from Korea, with a modern twist! And the owner prepares each treat with such care so it's too pretty to eat! Definitely an inviting space with warm interiors ~ read more
2 years ago
The matcha einspanner was AMAZING, so far this is the best matcha I've had in LA. The matcha itself is strong and the creamy einspanner on top has a hint of saltiness that makes it compliment the drink so well. The hojicha einspanner was good too if you like a more roasted taste. Either way you can't go wrong with an einspanner here. The damo waffle was actually salty and had an almost mochi like texture but it went well with the cream that they give you. The dagwa was unique and I personally like the dried persimmon the most. This is a small spot but has a modern, and clean aesthetic. I would definitely study here if I got here early and could find a spot. They even have these timers for studying and working that you can bring to the table. Parking is free in the plaza and there are a lot of spots. The only problem I have is that these drinks are pretty expensive so it's not somewhere I could go regularly. I would say it is worth the price though. read more
2 years ago
Great place to get matcha/hochija! My friend found this cafe on yelp and we decided to check it out on a Tuesday afternoon. We ordered three matcha lattes (regular milk, and oat milk), and a hojicha latte. The hojicha latte was amazing and I definitely recommend you order it if you're thinking of trying this cafe. (P.S. I drink a LOT of matcha so I was impressed) The service was great, and the individual who took our order was very friendly and helpful when we were thinking about what to order! Although there were lots of people there, the drinks came out incredibly fast and good quality! Highly recommend. read more
1 year ago
By far the best matcha, it was super creamy and the sweet foam was perfect not too sweet! Definitely recommend. read more
Pro: mango and strawberry matcha!! Grow: menu is too small. Tip: they have a free parking lot Drinks: Oh my, this might be one of my favorite matchas in LA! It does not get any better than mango matcha my friends. The drink is very instagramable but also taste amazing. It is thick and not too sweet. I love the cloud top cream and quality of the matcha. Aesthetic: The cafe itself is lowkey and in a shopping plaza. The menu is tiny and i recommend looking at the pictures I posted ahead of time. The service was great, they are very fast and welcoming. Free parking is a huge plus in La and the plaza has its own lot. They have a few outlets, however, the seating is a bit uncomfortable. Overall, it's a great cafe to work from and it has one of the best matches in the area! read more
3 years ago
Calm vibes (only when it's quiet), but very popular spot so it is packed! Like other reviewers mentioned, the outlets are only at each end of the long bench. Only about 4 tables + window seats. Love the einspanner latte I got. If you order a tea, it's carefully prepared by the staff on a tray and they pour hot water into the pot in front of you. Still very new it seems. It's a small shop--hopefully they can expand--and parking lot here is really tight and you might not find parking. Shared with other stores in the plaza. read more
2 years ago
Stopped by around 2 PM on a Sunday and found a line out the door! The space is bright and inviting, with plenty of seating, though most people seemed to grab their drinks and go due to the crowd. While waiting, we enjoyed watching the fashionable baristas whisking matcha and crafting drinks. I ordered the matcha latte with whole milk and cream top--it was absolutely delicious and came out in just five minutes. A bit on the pricey side, but definitely worth trying! read more
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