Linda and Ondrej transformed a garage into Japanese tea house: ‘Here you will come for your rest’

Behind two large wooden garage doors on the Eerste Stationsstraat has recently been a Japanese tea house. From the busy street you step into the silence room where you forget the time. Owners Linda (48) and Ondrej Iakabovic (50) live next to the garage that they converted into a meditative place in a year. “We got all the stuff from Marktplaats.”

At Sukiya you come for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, sweet delicacies, tastings, meditations, massages and a good conversation. After half an hour in the garage, you are supposed to step out again.

Whistle

Do not confuse Sukiya with a coffee or tea store where you order a glass of mint or ginger tea and a cake. Here you come to a Japanese tea house that is full of traditions and ceremonies. Upon entering you take off your shoes and take a seat at one of the small tables. A large photo of a tea plantation hangs on the wall and in the background you hear bird sounds. Linda welcomes you and explains how the ceremony works. In her position as athemeester, she makes tea for her guests at the table in silence. By following her actions, you can relax more and more.

Only five kilos

She uses special teas for her ceremonies. Linda puts boiling water, creates loose tea leaves in a pot and lets it stand for a while. “I love tea,” says Linda. “We have a tea card on which people can choose a taste. For example, I also set the most expensive Japanese tea type Gyokuro that is only picked once a year. There is only five kilos worldwide. “

Golden Drop

Linda divides the drawn tea over small bowls. She does this in silence and with attention: the main guest is the first to get part of the tea, after which she fills the following bowls. Once the pot is empty, the question is: who gets the Golden Drop? In other words, the very last drop with the highest concentration of taste and fabrics. “That is the tastiest part of the entire pot of tea,” says Linda. Then you drink from the tea and taste the earthy, floral, bitter or grassy flavors.

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Interested

Ondrej once gave Linda a workshop on Japanese tea and ceremonies as a gift. She became so enthusiastic about this tradition that she was going to take lessons with a tea master. “I not only learn how to make tea, but also what actions are involved. For example, the teapot should not remain open for too long and I have to keep it close to me when pouring it out. ” The guests eat a sweet treat like a Snow Mochi While Linda prepares the tea. “I like to spoil people.”

Everyone is equal during a Japanese tea ceremony

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From garage to tea house

Linda and Ondrej live with their son and daughter in an upstairs apartment next to the garage that had been empty for a long time. “They all have their own space in the house,” says Linda. “The only place to withdraw is in the kitchen. The wish for my own place and my new hobby made me interested in the garage. Together with Ondrej I decided to rent the space for tea ceremonies and massages, but also as a relaxation room for myself. ”

Linda wandered marketplace to second -hand materials and things, Ondrej converted the garage into a traditional Japanese tea house. Materials such as loam, bamboo and other types of wood are frequently occurred, just like flowers and calligraphy.

Different than usual

At Theehuis Sukiya by Linda and Ondrej there is peace and attention, but that does not mean that you are not allowed to talk. You can certainly chat and laugh with each other, only you notice that the atmosphere is very different from a ‘normal’ catering business. From 5.50 euros you can taste two or more cups of Japanese tea.