Inspired by the tea houses of Japan, Cha-ology is bringing a taste of ancient tradition to Ancoats.

The new café will feature a raised wooden seating area, with low tables and cushions on the floor for seats, and there's a strict no-shoe policy.

And for people who don't want to take the plunge bare-footed, there's a tea bar with chairs where customers can keep their shoes on.

This will be the first restaurant venture by Hong Kong born Mei Lee, who travelled to Tokyo to study the art of matcha.

The menu will feature a selection of Japanese teas and sweets, alongside homemade cakes and cookies.

The independent café will also have a summer dessert menu, made using Japanese ingredients, including homemade matcha ice cream, homemade anko (a sweet red bean paste) with chewy dango (a sweet dumpling made from rice flour).

Judging by the Cha-ology's previous venture making meticulously presented home-baked cakes, all of the above will be served with the precision and minimal aesthetics that Japanese tea houses are famous for.

Speaking about her new venture, Mei Lee said: "Manchester has a very good coffee scene already, so I wanted to lead the way for something new. Tea has always been in my life."

"I don't think there's anything else like this in Manchester. There are tea houses, but they're more Westernised."

As well as food and drink, there will be a homeware section filled with Japanese inspired lifestyle goodies to take home.

Cha-ology will be setting up in unit 3B of the Nuovo building - neighbored by low-key fine dining restaurant Squid Ink and gym bunnies Kettlebell Kitchen. It opens later this month.

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