by Anton Diaz, Our Awesome Planet

For user reviews of this establishment, click here.

THE MEAL DEAL: A refreshing break from all the usual coffee shop is Kozui Green Tea Cafe along Tomas Morato in Quezon City, where diners enter a world of clean and chic interiors and flavors based on the popular Japanese green tea. This innovative – and local – hang out place is the idea of entrepreneur Anthony So, who after a stint in China was exposed to the traditional tea houses and wanted to bring a healthy, young and hip alternative into the Philippine market.

CUISINE: Japanese; alternative coffee shop

BITE FOR BUCK: For Kozui’s popular green tea drinks and a snack, have P300 in your wallet. But if you want a full meal along with your green tea and a snack, make sure you have P500.

GOTTA TRY: Kozui offers eight different green tea blends. The most popular of those include the sencha, genmaicha and matcha. These are the base of their tea blends: cool lemon green tea, tea latte, fruit blend korichio (green tea, ice blended with fruit syrup and topped with fruit jelly), and matcha tea korichio (matcha green tea ice blended with milk, fruits, other yummy sweet flavors and topped with a dollop of whipped cream).

Aside from the green tea based hot and cold beverages, Kozui also offers healthy meals and snacks. Foodie favorites are homemade black hummus, takoyaki (octopus dumplings), karaage (crispy deep fried chicken balls) in vegetable wrap, salad, and rice bowls. Interesting features are the unique dan dan noodles (chilled egg noodles topped with creamy spicy sesame dressing, fresh cucumber, red ginger, cilantro, green onions and ground pork) and the chilled green tea zaru soba (cold noodles).

Do not miss out on their famous dessert, the anmitsu, which could be the Japanese version of the Filipino halo-halo. Anmitsu is shaved ice topped with an assortment of Japanese sweets: green tea jelly, chewy dango balls, sweet azuki (red beans), taro (yam) jam, your choice of fresh fruit (mango, strawberry, melon or even more taro), and your choice of ice cream (soft serve green tea, vanilla or green tea-vanilla combination) with a sprig of mint.

COMMENTS / SUGGESTIONS / VIOLENT REACTIONS: Service should be at par with the good healthy food served in Kozui. Sometimes customers who are seated on the second floor get less attention than those on the first floor.

IT’S THE SMALL THINGS THAT COUNT: Japanese green tea and other trinkets are available to go. The white and green interiors are a relaxing color combination, a good setting for a healthy, relaxing cup of green tea.

DINE HERE IF…
You are looking for a healthier alternative to coffee for a date with your girlfriends.
You want to try out a new cold dessert aside from the usual ice cream and halo-halo.
You need quiet time to think away from the hustle and bustle of the usual coffee shops.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY…
Sango, The Burger Master with various branches around Metro Manila
Hana Japanese Restaurant in Little Tokyo, Makati City for their authentic takoyaki balls.

STORE HOURS: Monday to Sunday, 830AM to 1AM

BLOG REVIEWS
http://dessertcomesfirst.com/archives/564
http://www.foodtrippings.com/casual-dining/kozui-green-tea/
http://allthingsmanila.blogspot.com/2009/01/kozui-green-teaa-quaint-japanese-cafe.html

Text and Photos courtesy of www.OurAwesomePlanet.com