OGADA, a Korean cafe offering traditional Korean health teas and herbal teas made by simmering ingredients like ginger, jujube, and corn, has opened its first overseas location at MAEK IS Minato Mirai. "OGADA" means "five kinds of beautiful tea," and its main products are five herbal teas (550 yen each): "Kangcha," "Hocha," "Haecha," "Micha," and "Ryocha)"—each made with recipes based on the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. These teas are blended under the supervision of a herbalist, creating a unique aroma while maintaining an easy-to-drink flavor. Unlike Japanese teas, which are brewed, OGADA's teas are made by simmering ingredients, and are imported from Korea as liquids. Other offerings include traditional Korean teas, healthy smoothies, food like bibimbap, and sweets like pancakes.

Founder and CEO Choi Seung-yoon started the business alone in 2009 at the age of 25. He designed the stores with an eye toward the American Starbucks, and adopted take-out packaging with paper cups and plastic lids. It became a huge hit in Korea as it stylishly revamped the image of Korean herbal tea, and the business expanded to around 70 stores in four years.

Ogada Japan, the company's business partner in Japan, says, "We were originally in the business of selling accessories, but our sales manager came across Ogada Tea when he went to Korea to purchase supplies, and after about two years of preparation, we were able to open this store."