First bite: Ocha opens new dessert cafe in downtown Des Moines
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Sugar Thai toast, $4.50, left, and strawberry on the cloud croffle, $5.95. Photos: Linh Ta/Axios
Ocha Bubble Tea and Dessert Cafe opened its doors this month in the Court Avenue district, and I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to satisfy my sweet tooth.
State of play: The cute boba tea shop is in the former Despensary location.
- They also have shops in Windsor Heights and Ankeny, though the downtown location has an expanded dessert menu and seating.
The menu: The downtown shop still serves Ocha's signature bubble tea, bingsu shaved ice and Dubai strawberry cups. It expanded its menu to include a dine-in afternoon tea featuring desserts like macarons and croffles.
- It also added fluffy Thai and Japanese dessert toasts to the menu.
What I got: A sugar Thai toast ($4.50) with a side of whipped cream (80 cents) and a "strawberry on the cloud" croffle ($5.95).
- The Thai toast features a thick slice of toasted bread that's pillowy in the center and crispy on the edges.
- Meanwhile, the croffle is a croissant-waffle hybrid on a stick with a thick layer of whipped cream, sliced strawberries and powdered sugar.
What I liked: The toast and croffle were subtly sweet, homemade and not overworked.
- The tea room concept is also a nod to the midday breaks many workers in Asian countries take during peak heat. We could all use more recharge time!
If you go: Every day from 11am-8pm; 221 4th St., Des Moines.
