The new Kazu Café at Ayala Triangle Gardens brings Tokyo’s whimsical café culture to Manila with its casual yet elevated atmosphere and quintessentially Japanese offerings.
Nippon Hasha, Inc. (NHI) unveiled its latest venture, Kazu Café, at Ayala Triangle Gardens. NHI is renowned for its innovative and beloved restaurants such as Mendokoro Ramenba, Ramen Yushoken, and Marudori, and celebrated fine dining establishment Kazunori Japanese Restaurant.
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Established in 2011 by Ryan K. Cruz, Raffy David, Mario Rossi, Andre Sy, and Patrick Sy, NHI has redefined Manila’s ramen scene. Their collaboration with “Ramen god” Kazuo Yamagishi led to the creation of Ramen Yushoken, which debuted in Alabang, in 2012. In 2014, they launched another ramen bar, Mendokoro Ramenba. Both brands have expanded to ten branches across Metro Manila and Cebu, including a roaming food truck that goes around Luzon every month to bring the best ramen on wheels. They launched Marudori in 2022 and recently launched Kazu Café.
Kazu Café offers a fresh and playful take on Japanese-inspired dining presenting a casual yet elevated experience influenced by Tokyo’s whimsical café culture. It is a more relaxed iteration of their famed fine dining restaurant, Kazunori. The café’s menu combines familiar comfort foods—like pasta, sandwiches, and omurice —with the high-level culinary techniques of Nippon Hasha’s restaurants. The restaurant Kazunori actually already had a café but this will be the first stand alone one.
Cruz says, “Japanese cafés often embrace flavors and dishes from around the world. At Kazu Café, we are bringing a global twist to our offerings while maintaining the precision and discipline of Japanese cuisine that the Kazunori brand has been known for all these years.”
Diners can look forward to new and exciting creations by Chef Kuramochi Kazunori exclusively available at Kazu Café, like the Hitachi Wagyu Burger (premium burger made in A5 Hitachi Wagyu beef with bonito and aioli in a soft potato bun), Yaki Tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork with cabbage salad, tomato karashi or mustard, and tonkatsu sauce), Kazu Oyakodon (chicken thigh with sous vide duck breast simmered together in a savory dondashi sauce), Hanetsuki Gyoza (Hanetsuki-style crispy pork and seafood dumpling, a.k.a. ‘Gyoza with wings’), and refreshing Melon Musk Kakegori (classic Japanese shaved ice dessert with Japanese melon, Johakuto or white cane sugar, and Momo or peach juice). The Bonito and Salmon Breakfast Platter is one of the best meals there that can be savored any time of the day.
Kazu Café’s interiors, designed by architect Liza Crespo of Ecotecture Design Studio, mirrors the café’s playful yet refined ethos. Featuring elements like custom-made sculptural lights and denim-upholstered seating, the space blends tradition and modernity. Crespo notes that the design “connects the café to its culinary roots while creating a visually striking and comfortable environment.”
The café’s brand identity, crafted by Singapore-based ACRE Design, reflects this balance of creativity and sophistication. “Kazu Café is bold and artistic, yet approachable,” says TY Zheng, Co-founder and Creative Director of ACRE Design. “We wanted to create a brand that’s instantly recognizable and carries a unique personality, much like a well-traveled individual who appreciates artistry and hospitality.”
Guests can expect familiar crowd favorites from Kazunori, alongside new creative dishes exclusive to Kazu Café. The 68-seater Kazu Café is poised to be the perfect spot for everything from breakfast after a morning jog to business lunches or casual celebrations. Cruz adds: “Our goal is to create an environment and experience where the only things our guests need to focus on are the food and the company. We’ve designed every aspect of Kazu Café to bring pleasure and positive energy to everyone who visits.”
Kazu Café is located at Unit 05-06, Ground Level, Restaurants at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. Open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Open for reservations and walk-in guests. For reservations, please contact +63 917 502 0320. Follow Kazu Café (@kazucafeph) on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Kazu Café.
