If you love Japanese culture or grew up obsessed with anime, here’s your new happy place. Hoshino Coffee just opened in Manila, and stepping inside feels like entering a cozy scene from your favorite slice-of-life episode.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
Hoshino brings the charm of a jun-kissa, short for jun-kissaten or “pure café”, to the Philippines. In Japan, these nostalgic cafés are beloved for comforting food, warm interiors, and those Western-inspired Japanese dishes that bring instant childhood flashbacks.
And yes… Hoshino has all of that.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
Think omurice, curry rice, Napolitan pasta, comfort classics that didn’t originate in Japan but became uniquely Japanese through decades of local love. For many, these dishes taste like weekends with family, after-school hangouts, and simple, happy moments. One sip of the melon cream soda and you’ll understand why it’s sweet, fizzy, and pure nostalgia in a glass.
But don’t mistake Hoshino Coffee for just a throwback spot. It’s a seriously good restaurant too.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
Their soufflé pancake is a must-order: jiggly, fluffy, cloud-like, and stacked with cream and fruit. It’s one of the stars of Hoshino, and it comes from a deeper cultural story. As director of Hoshino Kengo Sakai explains, the soufflé pancake isn’t a gimmick,it’s rooted in the traditions that shaped cafés in Japan.
“Our soufflé pancake is very unique because it comes from jun-kissa culture, where cafés serve simple but thoughtfully crafted dishes,” Kengo Sakai shares. “In Japan, jun-kissa and yōshoku cultures influence each other. That mix is what creates uniquely Japanese items—like how Japan invented iced coffee and made it part of everyday life.”
This blending of cultures, and the constant pursuit of refinement is central to Hoshino’s identity.
“Japanese people are detail-oriented and always improving, we call it kaizen. That’s the habit that shapes Hoshino,” he adds.
You feel that kaizen in every plate and every cup.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
Coffee lovers get a taste of it through their signature blend—smooth, mellow, and refreshing, especially when served in their chilled copper cup. One sip feels like an instant reset.
Pasta fans won’t be left out either. The mentaiko and salmon carbonara is rich and savory, especially after mixing in the poached egg on top. And the Hoshino spaghetti, simple on paper, with soy sauce and butter, surprises you with how deeply comforting it is.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
And of course… their omurice.
If you’ve ever seen it lovingly drizzled with ketchup in anime, this is your chance to finally try the real thing. Warm, fluffy, savory, it tastes like a big comforting hug.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
But the one thing you absolutely cannot skip?
The melon cream soda.
Photo: Hoshino Coffee
Bright green, nostalgic, and topped with ice cream, it’s the childhood treat you didn’t know you missed.
Where to Find Hoshino Coffee in the Philippines
The love for Hoshino is spreading fast. You can now visit them at:
- SM Mall of Asia
- Opus Mall
- Greenbelt
- SM City East Ortigas
- Greenhills Mall
- J Mall Cebu
- SM City Cebu
And soon, you can catch them at two major upcoming locations:
- SM Megamall
- SM North EDSA
Overall, Hoshino Coffee brings a uniquely Japanese, ultra-cozy café experience to Manila. From nostalgic dishes to charming drinks and that unmistakable Japanese vibe, it’s definitely a spot you’ll want to add to your must-visit list.
Perfect for anime fans, coffee lovers, date nights, or anyone craving Japanese comfort in the city.
