Green Tea Tsukudani (Simmered Green Tea Leaves)

A Delicious Dish with Chagara 

Here’s a recipe that makes delicious use of used green tea leaves, used green tea leaves, known as chagara (茶殻) in Japanese.Chagara have been used in many ways since old times.

Did you know that tea leaves can actually be eaten? Even today, many people in Japan are unaware of this. Tea leaves are rich in nutrients, as they grow under the sun and contain plenty of antioxidants and vitamins.

Recipe with chagara : Green Tea Tempura Recipe

Tea Leaves to Use

You can use any green tea leaves that you’ve already steeped.

• For a stronger, slightly bitter flavor, use the leaves after the first steeping.
• For a milder taste, use them after the second steeping.

High-grade sencha(高級煎茶): Produces a soft, tender tsukudani with a rich umami flavor.#0251.F2 Chiyonoen Tea Garden #01: Mountain-Grown Single Cultivar Sencha, Saemidori さえみどり (Naturally Grown)

Deep-steamed tea (fukamushi-cha深蒸し茶): The finely broken leaves are perfect if you prefer a smoother texture without visible leaf shapes.0055.S5 NaturaliTea: Mountain-grown Fukamushi Sencha, Yabukita 有機一番摘み煎茶　山の深蒸し(JAS Ooganic Certified)

Second-flush(二番茶) or lower-grade tea: Results in a firmer texture, ideal if you enjoy the natural bitterness and shape of the tea leaves.#0657.M1 Takeo Tea Farm: Summer Sencha Green Tea, Hitotoki ひととき (JAS Organic Certified)

These tea above are pesticide-free and organically grown tea. They're definitely worth trying.

Serving Ideas

The most classic pairing is with warm steamed rice ,and it's truely perfect. It’s also delicious as a topping for tofu, salads, or pasta, and pairs wonderfully with cheese for a unique fusion twist.

Green Tea Tsukudani Recipe

Ingredients (for about 10-15 servings)

• chagara (used green tea leaves) from 25g of dry tea leaves (equivalent to 5 regular steeps in a teapot, 5g per steep), well-squeezed to remove excess water
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp sake (Japanese cooking rice wine)
• 4 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 4g dried bonito flakes (or 1 pack powdered katsuo dashi )
• White sesame seeds, to taste 

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan and stir-fry the tea leaves for 2–3 minutes.

2. Add sake, mirin, and soy sauce. Simmer over medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated.

3. Turn off the heat and stir in the bonito flakes or powdered katsuo dashi, and mix well.

4. Sprinkle with white sesame seeds before serving.

You can make a half amount if you like. Enjoy the rich aroma and umami of green tea in this sustainable and nutritious dish!

Event Information

Afternoon Tea with Yame-cha (Tea from Yame-district)

Join us for a one-day-only Afternoon Tea at Yunomi Cafe in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Enjoy this tsukudani along with other treats. We look forward to seeing you!

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A Relaxed Afternoon with Yame Tea – Cafe Style

Savor the fragrant teas from Yame, Fukuoka, in a special dessert and savory plate available for one day only at Yunomi Cafe.

💚 Sweets

• Gluten-free matcha baumkuchen (rice flour)
• Matcha snowball cookies
• Matcha chocolate strawberries
• Yame sencha kanten jelly

🍽️ Mini Savory

• Yame sencha pesto with baguette
• Yame tea cream cheese spread
• Yame tea tsukudani

🍵 Drink
Choose one from: Yame gyokuro, sencha, hojicha, or black tea.
Recipes will be provided so you can recreate these treats at home! 🎁

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📅 Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2025
🕒 Time: 14:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
📍 Location: Yunomi Cafe, Shinagawa, Tokyo
💰 Price: ¥3,000 (tax included)
Limited seats, advance reservation required, cancellation fees apply

Reservations:
https://yameplates.peatix.com/

Today's Recommendation

You can use this powder for soup, stir-frying as well as adding tsukudani. 
Riken Sozairyoku: Japanese Soup stock, Hon-Katsuo-dashi, 12 x 5g packets 素材力だし

 

Japanese Food Recipes

How to Cook Japanese Rice in a Pan

Green Tea Tempura Recipe