HOSHINO Coffee is your everyday Japanese café for comfort food but elevated with specialty hand-drip coffee, classic yōshoku (Japan’s Western-style cuisine), and a Japanese retro coffee house (Jyun-kissa) ambiance that feels both familiar and distinctly Japanese. While the coffee is a standout, it’s the food that truly shines, authentically Japanese and reminiscent of dining in Tokyo, right here in Manila.
HOSHINO is the specialty café and restaurant arm of Japan’s Doutor and Excelsior Café group, a brand so popular you’ll find their cafés on nearly every corner across Japan. At first, its serious façade can be intimidating, but inside you’ll find the warmth of Filipino-style friendliness—and most importantly, prices that are surprisingly affordable.
Here’s how to make the most of your HOSHINO Coffee visit in Manila:
ABOUT HOSHINO COFFEE
Hoshino Coffee was founded by Mr. Obayashi following the integration of Doutor Coffee and Nippon Restaurant System (NRS), blending Doutor’s coffee expertise with NRS’ culinary heritage to create a modern Japanese café brand.
Its signature hand-drip coffee, inspired by the rich yet clear & smooth style of Nishimura Coffee in Kobe, reflects Mr. Obayashi’s personal taste and has remained unchanged since the first store.
The name “Hoshino” honors both HD President Masanori Hoshino and the maiden name of Mr. Obayashi’s wife, meaning “star.” Evolving from a simple coffee-and-bread concept, Hoshino Coffee is positioned as a coffee restaurant, offering thoughtfully crafted food designed to enhance the overall coffee experience.
Hoshino Coffee’s philosophy is rooted in originality, craftsmanship, and broad appeal, exemplified by its pioneering introduction of Japan’s first soufflé pancakes—drawing on a perfected recipe from an earlier French dessert venture—and later inspiring signature dishes like Soufflé and Soufflé Omurice.
Designed to welcome families and guests of all ages, Hoshino cafés feature spacious kura-inspired architecture that blends Japanese and Western elements, including private rooms and pet-friendly outdoor terraces.
Deeply influenced by Jyun-kissa yet open to innovation, the brand grew rapidly to 100 locations in just over three years, with its identity further distinguished by the hand-brushed “Hoshi” (star) calligraphy in the logo, created by renowned calligrapher Sōun Takeda.
HOSHINO COFFEE SM MALL OF ASIA
2nd Level North Entertainment Mall,
Mall of Asia Complex, Seaside Boulevard, City of Pasay.
+63 947 893-1618
Operating Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily
@hoshinocoffeeph
Hoshino Coffee Philippines
https://hoshinocoffee.com.ph
SPECIALTY DRINKS
Hand-Drip Coffee – Hoshino Blend, Hikoboshi Blend, Orihime Blend
Their specialty is their hand-dripped hot coffee, brewed using the Hario V60 and made with HOSHINO’s own signature blends. We love the Hoshino Blend for its well-balanced profile—smooth sweetness, gentle acidity, and just the right bitterness—crafted from beans sourced from Brazil and Papua New Guinea. If you prefer a stronger, more full-bodied cup, go for the Hikoboshi Blend, which has a deeper roast and a bolder, more pronounced bitterness.
HOSHINO Coffee specializes in hot coffee, but you can also enjoy iced coffee, which is net-dripped & kept overnight for a smoother, more refreshing cup.
Matcha(hot)
They also offer their own matcha drinks, sourced from partner farms in Japan. It’s a great alternative to coffee—and a favorite of my mom, who absolutely loves matcha.
Hoshino Melon Cream Soda
For kids—and as a dessert drink—their Melon Cream Soda is a standout, made with melon syrup, a refreshing carbonated drink, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream as one of key menu at “Jyun-Kissa,” and nostalgic alternative to an affogato or a coffee float.
yōshoku (Japan’s Western-style cuisine)
Omu Souffle with Tonkatsu Curry Rice
We tried many dishes on the menu, but this was our favorite—it has everything we were craving: crispy tonkatsu, rich curry sauce, and a fluffy omu egg, like a Japanese tonkatsu curry silog. Ang sarap and quite affordable because it is good to share with 2-3 pax.
Beef Stew Omu Rice
We also love their Beef Stew Omu Rice, topped with a fluffy Omu soufflé egg—a dish that’s so good, it’s become a favorite that many people crave.
Mentaiko & Salmon Carbonara
Our next favorite is their Japanese carbonara—served with a soft-boiled egg you mix into the pasta for extra creaminess, finished with salmon bits and mentaiko for that extra umami. Yum!
Hoshino Spaghetti with Soy sauce Butter
Their Japanese spaghetti is also surprisingly good, thanks to their signature soy sauce butter—which you might not expect to work, until you taste it—topped with tomato, eggplant, and bacon.
Tonkatsu Sandwich
Their Katsu Sando is generously sized, served with fries and vegetables, and perfect for a satisfying meal on the go.
Shrimp & Avocado Sandwich
For a lighter, healthier option, try their Shrimp Avocado Sando—it’s generously sized and perfect for sharing.
Chicken Karaage 5pcs
This Japanese-style fried chicken is specially crafted for the Philippine market, served hot, juicy, and generously sized.
Hoshino Pot-Baked Curry Rice
As you can tell, we love Japanese curry, and their pot-baked rice version gives a creamier, more comforting twist on the classic dish.
JAPANESE DESSERTS
Strawberry Pancake Soufflé Style
Their soufflés are the best, and the strawberry pancake perfectly pairs with coffee—fluffy Japanese-style pancakes topped with strawberry chunks, whipped cream, and strawberry sauce on the side.
Matcha Pancake Soufflé Style
Their matcha version is a delight—served with Shiratama, matcha sauce, and ice cream. Ang sarap!
Matcha Mont Blanc
The Mont Blanc is a good alternative if you want something different from the soufflé pancakes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Hoshino Coffee is a must-visit for specialty coffee and satisfying Japanese cravings. We recommend trying their Hoshino Blend hand-drip coffee, matcha or hojicha, and melon cream soda. For yōshoku favorites, go for the Omu Soufflé with Tonkatsu Curry Rice or Beef Stew Omu Rice and the Mentaiko & Salmon Carbonara. For dessert, don’t miss the Strawberry and Matcha Pancake Soufflé.
HOSHINO Coffee now has locations in Greenbelt 3, Greenhills Mall, Opus Mall, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Cebu, SM J Mall Cebu, and their largest branch yet at SM Mall of Asia (300-pax capacity), which we visited, with a recently opened branch at SM North EDSA.
HOSHINO COFFEE SM MALL OF ASIA
2nd Level North Entertainment Mall,
Mall of Asia Complex, Seaside Boulevard, City of Pasay.
+63 947 893-1618
Operating Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily
@hoshinocoffeeph
Hoshino Coffee Philippines
https://hoshinocoffee.com.ph
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to our friends from Hoshino for sharing with us the best Hoshino Coffee experience.
P.S. Thank you to Kengo Sakai-san from the Hoshino team for sharing the story behind Hoshino Coffee and giving us insider tips on what to order. One interesting insight he shared about Filipino culture is that we often go to cafés as one big family of 10–15 people—a scene rarely seen in Japan, where the café experience is typically more personal and intimate.