SPOT.ph Roundup: Japanese Coffee Shops in Manila for Great Brews + Views

(SPOT.ph) Fly to The Land of the Rising Sun and you'll be met with a vast number of coffee shops, occupied by locals who take their time savoring carefully brewed cups of joe of different styles. Japan is also the said to be among the fifth largest importer of coffee and coffee products, and among top countries with the most revenue generated from their cups of joe. It's a curious thought; coffee, after all, finds its roots in Ethiopia and Yemen while coffee shops were popularized in Europe.

Either way, the Japanese love their coffee—and they're happily spreading that love to other neighboring nations, the Philippines included. Within Manila are a number of cafés and coffee shops that hail from Japan, championing cups of joe done the Japanese way. Many of them extend this approach to the visual realm, too, with interiors and/or branding that are mesmerizing to the eye. We've rounded these spots up in this list.

Also read: 
The SPOT.ph Guide to Coffee
Top 10 Vietnamese Coffee in Manila (2020 Edition)
Top 10 Matcha Lattes in Manila
SPOT.ph Roundup: Where to Buy Iced Spanish Latte Under P180

Add these Japanese coffee shops in Manila to your must-visit list:

Key Coffee

Coffee and jazz tunes come together at Japan's famed kissaten Key Coffee, which opened earlier this year in MITSUKOSHI BGC. The brand has their own coffee blends, including the Blue Mountain coffee blend of beans from Jamaica and Colombia that's best had in a pourover (called hand pour on their menu)—but if you're up for a fun sip, try their decidedly quirky Shoyu Caramel Popcorn Cappuccino. Doesn't hurt that they've got a great selection of yoshoku fare for their food menu, either, of the likes of the Crab Ikura Udon (P540) and Chef Horje-San Truffle Egg Katsu Sando (P390).

Key Coffee is at MITSUKOSHI BGC, 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

Omotesando Koffee

Less is more at minimalist haven Omotesando Koffee. With branches in Power Plant Mall (their debut Philippine outpost) and Salcedo Village, the coffee shop draws you in as much as it soothes the senses, what with its predominant use of wooden surfaces and cube-shaped counter that's the subject of countless Instagram feeds. Coffee-wise, they cover all bases in your general espresso-based coffee drink roster—americanos, cappuccinos, mochaccinos, and so on—using two coffee bean blends developed from their home base of Tokyo. (Their canelé-like Baked Custard Squares and Egg Sando shouldn't be missed.)

Omotesando Koffee is at UG/F Power Plant Mall, Lopez Drive, Rockwell, Makati City and G/F Somerset Dowell Tower Residences, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Baristart Coffee

For Baristart, it's not just about finding the right coffee beans. As they hail from Hokkaido—the part of Japan known for their exceptional dairy products—they also place great emphasis on using the right milk (BIEI Jersey milk, to be exact, from top brown jersey cattle in Hokkaido) and cream wherever possible. Their take on a classic Latte (P215/hot or iced) is exceptional in how it's simultaneously strong on the coffee yet lush and silky on the tongue; be sure to get their signature Cream Puffs (P250/piece, P700/three pieces) on the side and you're well on your way to dreamy dairy heaven.

Baristart Coffee is at G/F Unit 5 Maridien Tower Two, 26th St, Bonifacio Global City.

% Arabica

% Arabica has long been a favorite among Manila's IG-savvy set—and after seemingly leaving us without warning in 2022, they thankfully reopened in a new space in MITSUKOSHI BGC just last July. They now sport a sleeker, more futuristic look where whites and chromes unite, with their entrance, counter, bar area, and other parts taking on the form of circles and squircles. Their fan-favorite Kyoto Latte (starts at P225/eight ounces hot) is happily back on the menu—plus you can score merch at their store, too!

% Arabica Manila is at 2/F MITSUKOSHI BGC, 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

Uniqlo Coffee

Uniqlo has pretty much infiltrated our closets; now they're infiltrating our need for caffeine with their recently opened cup-of-joe leg, Uniqlo Coffee. You'll find the two-storey shop within Uniqlo's Global Flagship store in Glorietta 5—feel free to pop by before heading out to browse their apparel, or to refuel after a long day of shopping. Using locally sourced coffee beans, the team brews up beverages like their Americano and Spanish Latte—great paired with chewy Chocolate Chip cookie.

Uniqlo Coffee is at the Uniqlo Global Flagship store, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

UCC

UCC is a bigwig in the Japanese coffee world, what with their products ranging from beans to drinks to other related merch—not to mention their physical dining spot-slash-cafés. An OG of Japanese coffee shops in the Philippines, UCC's physical outposts range from the more crowd-pleasing UCC Café Terrace (with branches in San Juan, Quezon City, and more) to the more hip UCC Clockwork (with branches in Pasay and Taguig) to the swankier Eight Coffee Bar in 8 Rockwell and Mentoré Coffee Bar (in Ayala and S Maison). Aside from their standard espresso-based drinks, their Kori Kohi shouldn't be missed; it's largely thanks to their version that this distinctly Japanese coffee concoction of frozen coffee cubes and milk for pouring over was popularized in the Philippines.

See a list of UCC branches.

MUJI Coffee

MUJI's not stopping at the stationery, apparel, and household items they're known for. Oh no. Coffee, too, is a realm they enter with their coffee counter leg that has branches in BGC, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City. Consistent with the rest of their branding, the store goes for a minimalist look—just the sight to keep you company during your me time, as you sip on cups of their coffee. And sure, you could go for basic brews here, but don't miss the chance to try their more offbeat sips either. The Ichigo Cafe Mocha (P125/small, P140/large) might just remind you of a popular Japanese strawberry-chocolate confection.

See a list of MUJI Coffee branches.

Café Kitsuné

Marrying Japanese and French sensibilities, Café Kitsuné at The Podium somehow manages to juggle sophistication and playfulness in one fell swoop. With their brick-red walls, patterned surfaces, and high ceiling, it's well worth donning your best threads here—yet their coffee drinks (which make use of an espresso base with beans from Brazil and Guatemala for a full-bodied, fruity profile) transport you right back home. Get the Cappuccino (P190) or the Latte (P190) and you get an adorable fox-shaped cracker—after all, the second word of their name means 'fox' in Japanese.

Café Kitsuné is at G/F The Podium, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

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