Key Coffee Kissaten in BGC: A Chill Japanese Hi-Fi Cafe
Discover unparalleled caffeinated drinks and comforting Japanese fare at Key Coffee Kissaten in Mitsukoshi BGC in Taguig, the first flagship café of one of Japan’s oldest and most respected coffee brands.
Far from a typical café, Key Coffee Kissaten is designed as a Hi-Fi café, drawing inspiration from Japan’s jazz listening cafés where music, craft, and conversation take center stage.
IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Spanning 200 square meters at Mitsukoshi BGC, the café houses a coffee bar, bakery, pizza station, wine bottle shop, and seating for 70 guests—creating a multifaceted space where specialty coffee, comforting dishes, and jazz culture come together.
Its rustic brick walls, dark wooden interiors, plush seating, and vintage turntable setup evoke a nostalgic atmosphere, while high-fidelity audio fills the space with soulful jazz, making each visit feel immersive.
IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Among their best sellers is the Shoyu Popcorn Cappuccino (starts at Php 180), is an inventive mix of espresso, frothed milk, shoyu salted caramel, and popcorn.
Shoyu Popcorn Cappuccino (starts at Php 180)/IMAGE from Philippine Primer
For a satisfying savory bite, try the Horje-San Truffle Egg Katsu Sando (Php 285), made with fluffy milk bread sandwiching panko-crusted egg, rich truffle mayo, and crisp spring onions. It’s a comforting yet elevated take on the classic Japanese sandwich.
Horje-San Truffle Egg Katsu Sando (Php 285)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
For something more indulgent, the Wagyu Yakiniku Don (Php 1,010) features pan-seared wagyu served over steak rice with fried egg and house yakiniku sauce, offering rich flavors in every bite.
Wagyu Yakiniku Don (Php 1,010)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Seafood lovers can opt for the Crab Ikura Udon (Php 610), a comforting bowl of homemade udon tossed in crab fat cream sauce and topped with crab meat, ikura, and spring onions.
Crab Ikura Udon (Php 610)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
For dessert, the Matcha Strawberry Cake Roll (Php 390) combines matcha sponge cake, matcha ganache, vanilla diplomat, and fresh strawberries for a finish that is both elegant and refreshing.
Matcha Strawberry Cake Roll (Php 390)/IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Meet the Chefs at Key Coffee Kissaten
The menu is shaped by a culinary team with impressive international and local credentials. Chef Mianne Manguiat, who leads the kitchen at Key Coffee Kissaten, brings together business acumen and culinary expertise through a background that spans both entrepreneurship and professional culinary training.
A graduate of BS Entrepreneurship from De La Salle University Manila and a CCA Diploma holder in Culinary Arts Manila, she honed her skills through rigorous training at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado, a prestigious luxury resort known for its high culinary standards. She later served as Head Chef at Bistronomia, where she further developed her approach to refined yet approachable flavors.
Chef Mianne Manguiat/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Chef Alexa Versoza, whose background reflects years of disciplined training and craftsmanship. A Culinary Arts graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, she trained and worked for two years in the United States at Four Seasons and Sonnenalp, where she developed a thoughtful, technique-driven approach to pastry.
Returning to Manila, she became Corporate Pastry Chef at Bistronomia (formerly La Lola Group) before taking on the role of Executive Pastry Chef at Metronome, further refining her voice in modern pastry. She is also the co-owner of Apo Baking Society in Quezon City, where she continues to create pastries rooted in restraint, flavor, and a deep respect for process—qualities reflected in Key Coffee’s dessert offerings.
Chef Alexa Versoza/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
A Different Key Coffee Kissaten Experience at Every Branch
While all Key Coffee Kissaten branches offer the brand’s signature Kissaten menu, covering coffee, all-day breakfast, starters, mains, pastas, and desserts, each location presents a different dining experience. The Mitsukoshi BGC flagship in Taguig focuses on Yoshoku, or Japanese-Western inspired dishes; the Opus Mall branch in Quezon City highlights Napori, a Japanese-Italian inspired menu; while the Glorietta branch in Makati introduces a Teishoku menu inspired by Japanese Ginza-style dining.
At Glorietta in Makati, Key Coffee Kissaten introduces its Ginza Salon concept, inspired by the small café salons that once lined the streets of Ginza during Japan’s Showa era. These cafés were known for their careful approach to bread, bento, coffee, and service, shaped by influences from Paris, Vienna, and London and refined through Japanese care and precision.
IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
It also houses an in-house microroastery, where coffee is developed through a cup-to-farm approach. Instead of starting only with available beans, the team begins with a specific flavor profile, then works with farmers and processors to source and develop beans that can achieve that intended cup.
Its coffee program includes Toarco Toraja, sourced from Key Coffee’s own farm in the highlands of Sulawesi, as well as a dark roast made with locally sourced Philippine beans. Guests can also try the Coffee Bento Flight, which features three distinct roasts paired with omakase pastries.
IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Among their must-try dishes is the Wagyu Cheeseburger (Php 520), made with a blend of Wagyu fat and 100% locally sourced ground beef for a rich, juicy patty with deep beef flavor while supporting local producers.
Served on a soft pretzel bun, the burger is layered with Emmental and premium mozzarella cheeses, the restaurant’s signature sweet and tangy secret sauce, and slow-caramelized onions for added depth and sweetness. It is crafted to balance indulgence, quality ingredients, and craftsmanship in every bite.
Wagyu Cheeseburger (Php 520)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
For a premium Japanese-inspired meal, try the Wagyu Tataki Bento (Php 1,650), featuring tender Wagyu Tataki lightly grilled over Binchotan and served with rice, seasonal sides, and house-made accompaniments. It highlights Japanese flavors while showcasing quality beef in a refined bento format.
Wagyu Tataki Bento (Php 1,650)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
For dessert, the Traditional Flan (Php 150) offers a silky smooth custard with a rich caramel finish. Made using traditional techniques, it gives the familiar Filipino and Japanese classic a refined touch.
Traditional Flan (Php 150)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Guests can also try the Good Morning Kape Coffee Bento (Php 375), a specialty coffee set featuring Dark Pour Over paired with Flourless Chocolate Cake. Designed to highlight the harmony between bold coffee notes and rich chocolate flavors, it makes an ideal afternoon treat or light dessert set.
Good Morning Kape Coffee Bento (Php 375)/IMAGE from Key Coffee Kissaten
Founded in 1920, Key Coffee has spent nearly a century refining its craft, combining decades-long expertise with Japanese coffee technology to deliver exceptional brews that have captivated coffee lovers around the world. The cafe is co-founded by Bryan Chua, Marvin Chua, and Kathleen Chua, the concept was born from a journey through Japan’s coffee scene and a desire to bring authentic kissaten culture to Manila through a modern lens.
Launched in the Philippines in 2017 through Boosterfoods Inc., Key Coffee first introduced Filipinos to its premium coffee products before opening Key Coffee Kissaten in March 2023, bringing a full café and dining concept inspired by traditional Japanese kissaten culture.
