From traditional Japanese flavors to locally-inspired creations, these Manila destinations prove kakigori has found a home in the city.
Nothing cuts through the Manila heat like a mountain of finely shaved ice doused in syrup and stacked with toppings (though even rainy weather wouldn’t stop you from indulging). Kakigori, the dessert that was once known as a niche Japanese import, has turned into something bakeries, cafes, and even Michelin-lauded dining institutions want a spoonful of, each one bringing their own spin to the treat. Some spots work with traditional matcha, azuki, and shiratama mochi the way Japanese kakigori houses have for decades; meanwhile, others treat the dessert as a canvas, folding in mango, ube, keso de bola, or even riffs on halo-halo.
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What Exactly Is Kakigori?
Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert that dates back centuries, though the version popular today owes its texture to modern ice-shaving machines that can shear blocks of ice into ribbons so fine they melt on contact with your tongue.
Traditional versions favor seasonal flavors like matcha, strawberry, or melon, but the dessert has become a playground for chefs looking to experiment, especially in cities like Manila where local produce and flavors give it a completely different identity. We’ve rounded up five spots across the metro worth seeking out. Grab a friend, because most of these bowls are built for sharing anyway.
Yardstick Coffee, Aguirre Branch
Tucked along Aguirre Street in Legazpi Village, Makati, this offshoot of the specialty coffee brand Yardstick created an entire menu based on the idea of past, present, and future, and kakigori shows up as the finale. The Miso Caramel and Banana flavor pays tribute to turon, with banana milk, torched bananas, toasted milk, pudding, and milk crisps. Another standout, Roasted White Chocolate and Pistachio, borrows from the viral Dubai chocolate craze, layering white chocolate drizzle with crispy knafeh and a touch of sea salt.
AzukiToyo
Inside The Alley at Karrivin Plaza in Makati sits AzukiToyo, a collaboration between Toyo Eatery’s Jordy Navarra and Hiroyasu Kawate of Tokyo’s two-Michelin-starred Florilège. The chefs behind the kakigori, Sam Constantino and Chaela Dee, trained directly under the Florilège team in Tokyo to learn the technique before bringing it home. Seating tops out at eight, and reservations are required. Flavors like Azuki at Merengue and Azuki at Matcha anchor the lineup, while rotating seasonal flavors bring in Lychee Pomelo and Mais at Keso (a play on mais con yelo finished with keso de bola). Its most ambitious bowl, Azuki at Halo-Halo, stacks 13 ingredients and asks diners to eat it top to bottom, instead of mixing everything together.
Shari Shari Kakigori House
Shari Shari made its way to Manila from Hong Kong, with roots tracing back further to Hakodate, Japan. The brand first opened in Serendra, BGC, back in 2019, and has since moved to San Juan, setting up at The Corner House in Mandaluyong. Core ingredients like matcha, tofu, azuki, and shiratama are flown in from Japan, while the fruit used in syrups and toppings comes from local sources. Flavors to try include the Strawberry Special, Earl Grey Milk Tea, and Matcha Cream Special, plus the Philippine-exclusive Cantaloupe Melon, which is made with locally grown melons.
Yūgen
Yūgen sits inside The Crescent Condominium along San Miguel Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig. Diners usually come for sushi, ramen, and teppanyaki, but the kakigori menu ends up being quite a favorite among regulars. Flavors skew tropical to match Manila’s climate, with halo-halo and sweet corn sitting alongside more familiar options like matcha and red bean.
Ikigai Kakigori Cafe
A staple of Makati’s Little Tokyo, Ikigai’s menu covers familiar ground. Matcha comes with adzuki, shiratama, and matcha ice cream, while Kuromitsu swaps in brown sugar syrup and hojicha ice cream. Fruit-forward options include Mango, Mango Okinawa, and both Ichigo and Ichigo Choco, all built around fresh strawberries. Every flavor comes in solo or sharing sizes, though most tables end up ordering the larger portion, since the bowls practically demand company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert made with finely shaved ice, flavored syrups, and toppings.
You can enjoy kakigori at cafes and restaurants across the metro, including Yardstick Coffee and AzukiToyo in Makati, Yūgen in Pasig, Shari Shari Kakigori House in Mandaluyong, and Ikigai Kakigori Cafe in Makati.
Classic flavors like matcha and red bean are available at Shari Shari Kakigori House, Yūgen, and Ikigai Kakigori Cafe, while Yardstick Coffee and AzukiToyo also create seasonal and locally inspired combinations.
Yes. Shari Shari Kakigori House and Ikigai Kakigori Cafe focus on traditional combinations such as matcha, azuki, and shiratama, while Yūgen also offers classic matcha and red bean options.
Yes. Yardstick Coffee serves flavors inspired by turon, while AzukiToyo offers creations like Mais at Keso and Azuki at Halo-Halo. Yūgen also includes halo-halo and sweet corn among its flavors.
