We’re not just talking about matcha here.
How would you define a Japanese dessert? For us, Japanese desserts often come in really subtle and herbally flavors, like matcha or sakura. They’re not too overpowering when it comes to its sweetness, and because of its lightness it can be consumed either as a dessert after a heavy meal or a standalone snack. A Japanese dessert is made with only the freshest ingredients to produce a myriad of high-quality sweets that reflect the Land of the Rising Sun’s multifaceted culture.
What’s more, Japanese desserts will not just whet your appetite, but it will satiate your visual senses as well with it’s standout presentation that most of the time looks too good to eat.
Did we get you craving for Japanese desserts right now? Good thing we came up with this list of the best Japanese desserts available in Metro Manila.
Saa, owagari yo!
Also Read: 16 Matcha Treats in Metro Manila that Will Make You Drool
Maccha Tiramisu — Watami
As fans of Japanese desserts, we know you guys are absolute matcha-natics which is why we’re starting our list with Watami Restaurant’s maccha tiramisu. It comes in a tiny glass layered with ladyfingers and a generous serving of matcha-flavored cream, topped with a spoonful of whipped cream and two sticks of matcha-coated biscuits. Watami’s maccha tiramisu is priced at ₱85 apiece.
Available for: Dine in, takeout, pick-up, and delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. Check out this link to book a table reservation.
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Ichigo Choco Kakigori — Ikigai Kakigori Cafe
“Kakigori is just Japanese halo-halo. Change our minds.”
Memes aside, both above-mentioned desserts mainly used shaved ice, with a spoonful of condensed milk to add creaminess to the mixture. The big difference between Japan’s kakigori and the Philippines’ halo-halo would have to be the number of ingredients used. While the latter goes crazy and overloads the mix with over 12 toppings, the former likes to keep it simple, often by using fresh fruits and perhaps three or four other ingredients.
One of Ikigai’s unique kakigori flavors is its ichigo choco, which combines two of our favorite things in the world — choco milk ice and heaps of fresh strawberries!
Available for: Dine in, take out, and curbside pickup. They are open from Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
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Tomas Morato, Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 8372-1341; (0999) 470-4749
Mango Tempura — Aozora Japanese Restaurant
It’s sweet, it’s fresh, it’s… crispy? Get a load of the traditional sweet Philippine mangoes, deep fried to perfection and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then finally drizzled with chocolate syrup. Aozora serves this mango tempura dish, and is the perfect treat to indulge on after munching on their available hearty Japanese meals.
Available for: Dine in, take out, and delivery. They are open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
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Domicillo Hotel, KM 58 Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay
(0936) 980 9656
Japanese Strawberry Cheesecake — Soru Izakaya
Unlike the regular New York cheesecake with its rich base and flaky crust, Japanese cheesecakes are fluffier, lighter, and are often crustless with whipped cream and fresh fruits on top.
Soru Izakaya’s version of the Japanese cheesecake includes delicate pieces of strawberries sprinkled with confectioners sugar.
Available for: Dine in, takeout, and delivery. They are open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m.
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Choco Almond Milk Pies — Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
How would you like a delectable piece of bread, with a generous filling of milk cream on the inside?
Luckily, Japanese brand Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory made these babies available here in the Philippines!
They’re officially called Choco Almond Milk Pies, and they’re little pieces of heaven in every bite! The pie has been drizzled with chocolate ganache on top, then sprinkled with real bits of almond nuts. The inside has been filled with plenty of cream so you get what you’re paying for. To top it all off, each serving of TMCF’s Choco Almond Milk Pie has been dusted with dark cocoa and powdered sugar for the ultimate sinful baked dessert.
Available for: Pickup and delivery via FoodPanda and GrabFood.
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Mango Fantasy — St. Marc Café
St. Marc café branches usually present their available menu through insanely realistic plastic food models (called sampuru in Japanese) through their clear glass display cases. Among their numerous parfait and dessert selections, their Mango Fantasy parfait remains to be a hit among locals. It includes a swirl of vanilla soft serve, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a small pudding, and a generous serving of mangoes covered with mango syrup.
Available for: Dine in and take out.
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Hanjuku Cheese — Kumori
Japanese bakery and café Kumori is known for their delicious cheese tarts. A bite of their signature cheese tarts feels like a party in your mouth, especially with its creaminess and light flavor that’s perfect to pair with a warm cup of tea or even just by itself.
They also have these bite-sized, individually-wrapped desserts called Hanjuku Cheese, which are half-baked Japanese style cheesecakes. Sinking your teeth into one of these babies would reveal a rich and moist cream cheese center.
Available for: Dine in, pickup, takeout, and delivery via GrabFood, FoodPanda, MetroMart and LalaFood.
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Mont Blanc — Pâtisserie BEBE Rouge
Led by Japanese patissier Chef Mitsuma Atsushi, this cakes and pastry shop in Makati serves unique Japanese desserts you won’t find anywhere else around Manila. They have shortcakes, coffee jelly cups, Mille crepe cakes, choco cornets, and even pudding.
Our absolute fave is Bebe Rouge’s take on the Mont Blanc cake, a French-Japanese dessert mainly made with pipings of chestnut pureé and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Available for: Pre-orders and delivery via Grab or Lala Move.
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San Antonio, San Antonio, Makati
Sakura Matcha Rare Cheesecake — Betsubara
These beautiful, ephemeral cakes are not just pleasing to the eyes, but to the tummy as well! Betsubara is famous for them, and they are a part of their limited edition Hanami Series. Their Sakura Matcha Rare Cheesecake is a no-bake treat, made of a matcha base and cherry blossom jelly. They even included pieces of edible flowers inside the jelly for an elegant finish.
Unfortunately, this cheesecake is officially sold out for this year. Good things 2021 is just a few days away, huh? Betsubara promises that their Sakura Matcha Rare Cheesecake will be available again next year!
Available for: Delivery. Hit them up on their Facebook page or Instagram account and settle the payment via bank transfer to their BDO account.
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Cover image from Betsubara’s Instagram account
