Cover Find out where to get bingsu and kakigori in Metro Manila
Find out where to get bingsu and kakigori in Metro Manila
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Cool down and beat the heat with Korean bingsu and Japanese kakigori at these nine shops
These days, the Manila heat has been unforgiving—and there’s no better relief than diving spoon-first into a tower of shaved ice, generously dressed with fresh fruit, delectable sweets or even umami curveballs. Whether you’re melting through the midday heat or simply craving something cool and refreshing, kakigori and bingsu are your ticket to icy bliss. These finely-shaved desserts are not your average halo-halo alternatives; they’re soft, cloud-like confections drenched in syrups, toppings and textures that range from fruity and fresh to rich and indulgent.
What’s the difference? The Japanese kakigori is known for its impressively light and fluffy ice, often paired with delicate and refined flavours like matcha, melon or mango. Bingsu is Korea’s answer to the kakigori (though some argue that kakigori originated in a part of Imperial Japan that is now Korean territory), made more decadent with milk-based shaved ice and tends to go bigger and bolder—think chewy rice cakes, sweetened red beans, robust coffee syrup and condensed milk or even chocolate layered into a mountain of dessert. Nowadays, however, shops have taken creative liberties, birthing delicate bingsu and rich kakigori.
Whether you’re team kakigori or team bingsu, we’ve rounded up the best spots in Metro Manila to get your fix.
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1. Kazu Café
Location: Restaurants at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City
Chef Kazunori Kuramochi (Kazunori Japanese Restaurant) introduces diners to Yoshoku cuisine with Kazu Café, where Western influences and Japanese flavours converge through every contemporary, playful plate. After a stroll through the stunning Ayala Triangle Gardens, consider cooling off with this musk melon kakigori, which blends juicy Japanese melon with johakuto (Japanese white sugar) and momo (white peach) juice in one delightfully refreshing treat.
2. Woori
Location: Green Sun Hotel, Makati City.
Formerly located at Festival Mall in Muntinlupa City, premium K-BBQ restaurant Woori has reopened its doors at Green Sun Hotel, bringing its premium Hanwoo beef and Jeju black pork to Makati City. Work your way through their signature grill items, comforting jjigae and chilled nengmyun noodles, but be sure to leave room for their Korean strawberry bingsu with red bean and misugaru (a powdered blend of roasted grains and nuts).
Read more: A guide to regional Korean cuisines: From Seoul to Jeju
3. Ikigai Kakigori Cafe
Location: Sct. Madriñan Street, Diliman, Quezon City; Makati Central Square, Makati City
From the team behind vegetarian restaurant Wabi-sabi Noodle House comes Ikigai Kakigori Cafe, a speciality shop offering a mouthwatering range of kakigori from ichigo (strawberry) and mango Okinawa to matcha, black sesame and even ube. Made with milk ice, their kakigori is certainly milkier and more decadent than you might expect, but they do offer vegan-friendly substitutes as well.
Related: 11 cooling and incredibly delicious shaved-ice desserts across Asia you need to try
4. Oori
Location: Sheraton Manila Hotel, Pasay City
Sheraton Manila‘s dedicated Korean outlet Oori offers a premium Korean barbeque experience focused on luxurious, quality meats from Australian Wagyu to Duroc Spanish pork, and an impressive array of seafood like plump scallops and sizeable tiger prawns to boot. Just in time for summer, Oori has launched its take on the traditional red bean bingsu—but those after a sweeter, unconventional bingsu ought to try the fresh mango bingsu with chunks of cheesecake and crispy corn flakes.
Read more: A food lover’s guide to Seoul, South Korea
5. Cafe Seol Hwa
Location: Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes Parañaque, Parañaque City
Found along the bustling Aguirre Avenue in BF Homes, Cafe Seol Hwa offers speciality coffee, milk tea and smoothies, as well as a handful of savoury dishes—and yes, bowls of delectable bingsu, too. Sample crowd favourites like strawberry, coconut and vanilla pearl, or opt for more adventurous picks like mango cheese, choco brownie or coffee caramel. Stay tuned for limited-edition flavours—Cafe Seol Hwa is known to introduce festive new bingsu for the holidays, as well as those that ride on pop culture references the Barbie movie.
See also: Kumba by chef Tina Legarda is now open in BF Homes, Parañaque
6. Tsujiri
Location: The Podium Mall, Mandaluyong; SM Aura, BGC, Taguig City; S’Maison, Pasay City; Power Plant Mall, Makati City; Greenbelt 5, Makati City; Greenhills, San Juan City; Molito Lifestyle Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Tsujiri’s take on the Japanese shaved ice dessert marries kakigori and halo-halo in one colourful bowl. Loaded with matcha-flavoured shaved ice, nata de coco, ube halaya, silky leche flan, chewy mochi balls, popped genmai rice and your choice of soft serve (matcha, vanilla, or hojicha), expect a festive blend of flavours and textures few can compete with.
In case you missed it: The easy way to make a strawberry matcha latte
7. Kiwa
Location: Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Parañaque City
Committed to delivering an authentic Korean dining experience, Kiwa goes beyond K-BBQ, offering bibimbap, kimchi-jiggae, tteokbokki, yukhoe, ramyeon, juk and other Korean favourites. Their selection of bingsu (available in two sizes) is not to be missed. For a refreshing end to the meal, try out their watermelon bingsu, or give in to temptation with their chocolate bingsu with chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings and chunks of fudge brownies.
Read more: The oldest restaurants in Asia: Where every meal is a taste of living history
8. Shari Shari Kakigori House
Location: The Corner House, San Juan City
Ever tried an avocado milk, Earl Grey or banana lassi kakigori? These are just three of the many kakigori flavours at Shari Shari Kakigori House (originally from Hong Kong), located at The Corner House’s upscale food hall, The Market. In need of a pick-me-up? Try the tiramisu kakigori with coffee cake, cocoa powder, milk syrup and whipped cream.
Related: Check out this foodie hotspot in San Juan: The Corner House
9. Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe
Location: Glorietta 4, Makati City; SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
With nearly 20 varieties to choose from, Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe has one of the largest selections of bingsu around. Delight your inner child with flavours like choco cookie or cookies and cream, or try something more traditional like injeolme (Korean rice cake).
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About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
