What Exactly Is A Matcha Slow Bar? Here Are 7 You Can Visit In And Around Metro Manila

Here's the thing about being a woman who does it all: More often than not, our brains (and bodies) always feel like they're in a rush. It doesn't help that even when we try to relax, we're constantly bombarded with endless notifications from our many social-media apps (guilty!). The ever-changing, low-key panic-inducing state of the world doesn't help either.

If that all sounded way too real for you, we know you're craving a place where you can simply breathe. You're not alone in that feeling. It's why we're now seeing a rise in a new kind of cafe: the matcha slow bar. 

From the name itself, a matcha slow bar invites you to take it slow. For coffee lovers, the concept might not be new. Just like at coffee slow bars, instead of simply grabbing your latte order mindlessly, you are invited to interact with how your matcha is made, from careful whisking to pouring.

Most matcha slow bars also invite you to talk with your barista about where they source their matcha leaves and how that affects the flavor of your drink. A lot of these cafes also offer single-cultivar matcha, which simply means that it comes from one type of matcha plant, resulting in a more premium blend. 

Matcha slow bars aren't just a great place to relax, but you can also learn more about the art of matcha, especially if you'd like to have your own home bar. Are you ready to slow down? Here are seven matcha slow bars in and around Metro Manila where you can take it easy.

Location: 178 Salcedo, Legazpi Village, Makati City; Unit 6A Paseo Uno Building, Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, Davao City; Caracoa, General Luna, Siargao

At Matcha Bar, matcha is not just a drink but also an experience. You can choose your matcha blend from their "reserve" menu which features both single origin and single cultivar blends from Uji, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima. An order of the Matcha Signature comes with a bowl of your chosen matcha blend whisked upon order—it's served separately from the oat milk (the default here) so feel free to try it out on its own first before pouring it in. This comes with a piece of nama chocolate to snack on, too.

If you prefer your matcha with a twist, other must-tries are the Matcha London Fog with earl grey syrup, the Kuro Goma with black sesame and muscovado sugar, and the Matcha Ichigo with strawberry puree. Meanwhile, the Maple Hojicha is a toasty drink that's worth venturing out of your matcha comfort zone for.

Location: Lombos Street, Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City

Southies, Sagi Matcha Bar is sure to become your fave chill hangout. The homey cafe is full of cozy nooks for hanging out solo and comfy seating for chilling with friends. A shelf of mismatched matcha bowls and different chasen on display also give this cafe an extra homey feel.

Aside from a classic Matcha Latte, Sagi also offers fun drinks like the Matcha Mango Bloom with a homemade mango puree and the Matcha Banana Puff with a homemade banana puree and banana cloud. Plus, girlies on a budget will be happy to know that no drink goes over P200 here!

Location: 5385 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Matcha Later is quite easy to miss—you have to be on the lookout for their signage which features a sleeping dog. It's the perfect representation of Matcha Later's cozy, intimate vibes. Inside, Matcha Later has bar seating, where you can chat with the barista as they whisk and prepare your drink on the spot. 

Matcha Later's signature matcha blend is the Matcha Yuu, sourced from Kyoto, and with a sweet and creamy aroma that’s best enjoyed in lattes. While you can't go wrong with a classic Moru or matcha latte, the Kumo (matcha with a milk cloud) and Caramiso (matcha or hojicha with house-made caramel and miso foam) are worth a try, too. And if you enjoy trying out different kinds of matcha in its purest form, be sure to talk about their single-cultivar matcha with the barista.

Location: Paraclete Building, 90 T. Bugallon Street, Marikina Heights, Marikina City

The zen vibes at Kokorobi Matcha start with their interiors: only seating up to 12 people, this cafe features their marble-topped matcha bar as their centerpiece and a display of different ceramic matcha bowls. Tatami seating also adds to the homey atmosphere. You won't be able to help but relax with your cup, all whisked upon order.

Kokorobi Matcha uses JAS-certified organic, first-harvest matcha from Uji, and carries four different matcha blends, all with their own unique flavor notes. While you can, of course, best appreciate them in their purest form (whisked in water), Kokorobi's signature Kokorobi Matcha Latte, made with oat milk and agave, is the perfect drink for casual matcha lovers. Want to experience whisking your own matcha? Kokorobi also offers a whisk-your-own-matcha experience.

Location: 9 General Tinio, Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan City; and 3 Scout Rallos, Diliman, Quezon City

Good news for matcha lovers: Shizu Matcha Bar finally opened a second branch in Quezon City, with the same relaxing, minimalist aesthetic of their original branch in Caloocan City. With lots of greenery and calming, marble tones, Shizu Matcha Bar invites you to slow down with your cup of matcha, which you can customize to the right strength and sweetness for you.

A must-try at Shizu is their Cold Whisk Oat Matcha (fun fact: cold whisked matcha just means your matcha was whisked in cold milk or water instead of the usual hot, which results in a creamier texture). Shizu also offers single-cultivar matcha like Okumidori and Sumidori, as well as loose-leaf tea and cafe food like pasta and flatbreads.

Location: 2/F Ciannat Complex, Marcos Highway, Cainta, Rizal

Think of visiting Matcha by Kamo as visiting your friend's at-home matcha bar. The vibes are comfy at this small cafe: plush seating with mismatched pillows, Japanese magazines and an assortment of matcha bowls on display, handmade leather wallets and folios by local artisan Kame Leather for sale, and, of course, lots of plants. You can sit by the bar, and chat with the barista as they whisk your matcha upon order, and you can even bring your own records to play at their turntable.

Matcha by Kamo has their own signature matcha blend which you can enjoy in their Matcha Latte with oat milk and agave, but you can also upgrade to try their featured matcha blend instead. Other fun drinks to try on the menu are the Ichigo with strawberry puree and the Karamiso with a miso caramel.

Location: Nepo Quad Annex, Nepo Center, Angeles, Pampanga

Trust us: You need to add Day Off Space to your next road-trip itinerary. The well-designed space is a relaxing blend of bare stone and wood fixtures, immediately giving off a calm feel. You'll also have fun taking in the various knickknacks that decorate this cafe, from different ceramics to a soft-serve-esque lamp.

You can choose between two matcha blends: the Matcha Yume which is nuttier and the Matcha Emi which is on the earthier side, and you can adjust the strength and sugar level, too. The Coconut Matcha Cloud with a matcha cloud and coconut water is a refreshing bev that’s perfect on a hot summer day, while the Matcha Einspanner with milk and heavy cream is a great choice if you like your drink rich and creamy.