Wicked Afternoon Tea

Wicked began as a Broadway show and was recently reimagined as a film in November 2024. I still remember seeing Wicked during its pre-Broadway debut in San Francisco, where Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba. Since then, I’ve seen it on stage at least three times, watched the movie twice in theaters, and multiple times at home. To say I have a slight obsession with Wicked would be a massive understatement.

So when I found out that The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho Hotel was offering a Wicked-themed afternoon tea, I knew I had to go.

Wicked Afternoon Tea is all about the friendship and closed bond between the witches Elphaba and Glinda in the movie “Wicked”. Pink and green desserts take inspiration from the two witches, while savory dishes represent the tulip fields use in an iconic scene in the movie.

The tea is priced at ¥8,500 per person (or ¥7,500 for Marriott Bonvoy members). If you’re visiting with a young child who won’t be participating in the tea service, you can simply book for the number of adults attending. In the reservation comments, note that a child will be accompanying you. Once you’re there, you can order a hot chocolate for them à la carte.

The Wicked Afternoon Tea is served on the 35th floor of The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, inside the Sky Gallery Lounge. The lounge boasts stunning panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline, with Tokyo Tower peeking through in the background. As soon as you enter, the Wicked movie soundtrack plays softly, setting a magical tone for the experience.

The tea service is creatively divided into pink and green themes to represent Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. The menu mirrors this concept, featuring two sets of four sweets and two savories—one for each witch—plus a final dessert symbolizing their unity.

Elphaba’s menu includes:

• Sweets: Elphaba Green Tart, Broom Mont Blanc, Pistachio Macaron, and Green Snowball

• Savories: Matcha Pork Fillet and Spinach Gougère

Glinda’s menu includes:

• Sweets: Glinda’s Bubble Tart, Cherry Blossom Financier, Raspberry Macaron, and Pink Canelé

• Savories: Salmon Tartare with Cream Cheese, and Beet & Egg Salad

The combined dessert was a Strawberry Panna Cotta with Green Apple Jelly, representing the witches coming together.

The presentation was easily the best I’ve ever seen in a tea service. Each item was thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of the characters, both in appearance and flavor.

When the server introduced themselves, they explained that the tea and coffee were unlimited and could be ordered via a QR code on the table. Before we began eating, they added a green liquid to a dish of green ice, creating a dramatic steaming effect—a whimsical and theatrical start to the experience.

While I personally preferred the savory items (more of a personal taste), the sweets were objectively excellent—beautifully presented, delicately balanced, and not overly sweet. My favorite overall dish was the final panna cotta. It had a creamy texture with a light strawberry flavor, and the green apple jelly added a tart, refreshing finish to the meal.

Despite the tea set looking small at first glance, we all left feeling completely satisfied. This was a truly delightful experience—easily one of the best afternoon teas I’ve had in terms of both food and presentation.