Celebrate Phil-Jap Friendship Day with these Japanese sweet treats
This year, 2025, the Philippines and Japan are celebrating their 69th Anniversary of Friendship as mandated by Proclamation No. 854 in 2006. It fosters joint ventures between the two countries and strengthens cultural ties.
However, apart from this economic reason, the friendship between the two countries is also evident in Filipinos’ admiration for Japanese culture, from anime, music, and culture, to food, of course.
To celebrate this milestone, and to experience Japan’s craftsmanship in turning foods into edible art, Araneta City has cafés and pastry shops to try.
Sticky Sweet
World Kitchens, Level 4, Gateway Mall 2
Cap off every meal with Wagashi (Japanese Mochi), which has 16 available flavors to savor, including Matcha Warabi, Matcha Mochi Custard, Mizumanju Sweet Potato, and Japanese Chesnuts Sweet Rice Ball. Can’t decide which flavors to try? Try their Matcha Warabi Set, Kinako Warabi Set, Kichijoji, Ebisu, and Harajuku.
The Matcha Tokyo
Coliseum Plaza, Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
To matcha lovers, The Matcha Tokyo is here to serve 100% organic, ceremonial-grade matcha that is meticulously hand-picked from Japan. Whether you are a fan of the earthy yet creamy taste of a matcha drink or a non-matcha drinker, there’s something for you to try.
Apart from matcha-flavored drinks, there are also matcha-flavored treats that you can have! They have Matcha Energy Bar, Vegan Cookie, Matcha Castella, Matcha Dorayaki, Croffle, Matcha Black Sesame Cookie, Matcha Marble Cake, Vanilla Medeleines with Matcha Chocolate, Matcha Soft Cream, Matcha French Flan, and Matcha Strawberry Choux.
Paper Moon Cafe
Restaurant Collection, Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
Formerly a Tokyo-based cake boutique and cafe, Paper Moon Cafe offers a wide selection of Japanese desserts at the counter. From cookies, tarts, and brownies, to their signature Hokkaido cupcakes and mouth-watering Mille Crepes. Complement the sweet treats with a cup of coffee or tea.
Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
Restaurant Collection, Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
This dessert shop in Gateway Mall 2 is known for its luscious dairy treats. Its desserts are made from Hokkaido milk and the best choices of cheeses all over the globe. Their products range from cookies, cheesecakes, puff pastries, and soft-serve ice creams.
Kumori Japanese Bakery and Cafe
Upper Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 1
This kiosk brings warmth and comfort with its variety of Japanese breads and pastries. Kumori blends tradition and modernity by bringing their recipes to the palates of modern-day.
