Coffee Shop Review: Cafe Kitsune, Mandaluyong

I was strolling through the Podium Mall one day when I noticed some people waiting in line outside this newly opened cafe. I frequent this mall and have never seen this cafe before. Is this cafe famous? Why was there a long queue?

A quick Google search answered my question. It turns out that it was Café Kitsuné, the cafe brand of a famous French-Japanese lifestyle brand, Maison Kitsuné. They have branches in different parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe, and now, they have finally reached the Philippine shores. They just opened Café Kitsuné at the Podium Mall in Mandaluyong in July 2022.

ℹ️ Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune quick information

📍Address: The Podium, Ground Level, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
🕑 Store hours: Open daily, 9:30 am to 10:30 pm
💰 Price range: USD 1.63-10.80 (PHP 95-630)
🍴What to order: Spanish Latte, Matcha Eclair

📍Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune location

Café Kitsuné is located on the ground floor of The Podium Mall in Mandaluyong. As of this writing, there are no other Café Kitsuné branches in the Philippines.

🖼️ Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune ambiance and interiors

The interiors are a fusion of Parisian and Japanese designs, with the latter more prominent than the other. The only Parisian thing I noticed as far as the design is concerned is the rattan bistro tables and chairs made by Maison Drucker. The rest, including the latticework wooden frames above the bar stools, took inspiration from Japanese architecture.

The lighting is excellent, but the space itself feels cramped. They have several servers clad in an all-black ensemble and are constantly walking to and fro. I’m a person who gets easily distracted, so every move they made disturbed me. The cafe is always packed with customers as well; thus, this is not the best place for those alone-time coffee moments.

💻 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune WiFi

Café Kitsuné doesn’t offer free WiFi.

🔌 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune electrical outlets

There are a few electrical outlets at Café Kitsuné.

🥯 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune food

I have yet to try their dishes but let me just say that all of the pastries that I’ve tried at Café Kitsuné have been nothing short of amazing.

Croissant

Price: USD 1.97 (PHP 115)

How do I begin with this? Okay, this has got to be the densest croissant I’ve ever had in my life. I wasn’t even sure that was possible because most croissants are so light and crumbly that it’s like you’re eating air, but this one is not. It’s a croissant you can actually chew; sorry for the weird description, but that’s how I can best describe it. And it’s so good with that rich buttery taste; I loved it.

Matcha Eclair

Price: USD 3.00 (PHP 175)

Now, this is my favorite, the Matcha Eclair. I’m so happy with the generous matcha cream between the choux dough. This pastry is so delightful; it’s the one thing that I’d recommend you order if you could only get one pastry from Café Kitsuné.

Canele

Price: USD 1.63 (PHP 95)

The first time I tried canele, I was in Bordeaux, France. I just saw it in a store, wondered what it was, and bought a piece to try; I didn’t like it. I couldn’t even explain the taste; the rum flavor was so strong it was disconcerting.

But Café Kitsuné’s canele is delicious. It’s so small a piece is not enough. The exterior was a little firm, but the inside was soft and slightly sweet. It reminds me of a custard.

☕ Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune drinks

Flat White

Price: USD 3.26 (PHP 190)

On my first visit, I had a Flat White and was displeased by its bitterness. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this flavor.

Spanish Latte

Price: USD 3.43 (PHP 200)

When I returned, I asked the waiter what their bestseller for coffee is; he answered Spanish Latte. I went with his suggestion and was glad that I did. It completely changed my opinion of Café Kitsuné; it turns out I just ordered the wrong coffee last time. It’s velvety and has nice nutty, sweet flavors.

🥘 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune menu

Click the accordions below to see the menu. Note that prices may change without prior notice. USD conversion is based on the currency exchange rate on September 23, 2022.

Espresso – $2.23 (₱130)

Double Espresso – $2.57 (₱150)

Americano – $2.74 (₱160)

Macchiato – $3.26 (₱190)

Piccolo – $2.74 (₱160)

Cortado – $2.91 (₱170)

Cappuccino – $3.26 (₱190)

Flat White – $3.26 (₱190)

Latte – $3.26 (₱190)

Spanish Latte – $3.43 (₱200)

Coconut & Caramel Latte – $4.11 (₱240)

Banana & Caramel Latte – $4.11 (₱240)

Mango Latte – $4.11 (₱240)

Extra shot – $0.94 (₱55)

Non-dairy milk – $0.69 (₱40)

Tea – $2.91 (₱170)

Hot Ginger – $2.91 (₱170)

Yuzu & honey – $2.74 (₱160)

Chai Latte – $2.91 (₱170)

Dirty Chai Latte – $3.26 (₱190)

Matcha Latte – $3.08 (₱180)

White Mocha – $3.26 (₱190)

Hot Chocolate – $3.26 (₱190)

Mocaccino – $3.77 (₱220)

Chocolate & Matcha – $3.77 (₱220)

Iced Americano – $3.08 (₱180)

Iced Latte – $3.60 (₱210)

Iced Spanish Latte – $3.77 (₱220)

Iced Chocolate – $3.60 (₱210)

Iced Mocaccino – $4.11 (₱240)

Iced Matcha – $3.43 (₱200)

Iced Chai Latte – $3.26 (₱190)

Iced Dirty Chai – $3.60 (₱210)

Affogato – $3.77 (₱220)

Iced Tea – $3.26 (₱190)

Cascarra Fizz – $3.26 (₱190)

Lemonade – $3.08 (₱180)

Yuzu & Honey – $3.08 (₱180)

Raspberry Fizz – $4.11 (₱240)

Matcha & Yuzu Fizz – $4.11 (₱240)

Strawberry & Peach Fizz – $4.11 (₱240)

Green Apple & Mint Fizz – $4.11 (₱240)

Cafe Kitsune Fox Shortbread – $2.48 (₱145)

Pistachio & White Chocolate Cookie – $1.97 (₱195)

Chocolate & Caramel Cookie – $3.34 (₱195)

Brownie – $2.14 (₱125)

Canele – $1.63 (₱95)

Pain au Chocolat – $2.31 (₱135)

Croissant – $1.97 (₱115)

Strawberry Shortcake – $7.28 (₱425)

Chocolate & Raspberry Mousse Cake – $6.77 (₱395)

Lemon & Miso Caramel Meringue Tart – $3.68 (₱215)

Paris-Brest – $6.77 (₱395)

Hojicha Puff – $3.68 (₱215)

Yuzu Macaron Cake – $5.48 (₱320)

Matcha Eclair – $3.00 (₱175)

Granola – $5.48 (₱320)

Egg Sando – $4.28 (₱250)

Soba Noodles – $6.51 (₱380)

Pork Katsu Sando – $6.51 (₱380)

Tuna Tartare – $7.71 (₱450)

French Onion Soup – $6.17 (₱360)

Salmon Rillette – $7.20 (₱420)

Croque-Monsieur – $7.88 (₱460)

Chicken Confit – $8.91 (₱520)

Seared Salmon – $10.80 (₱630)

🫘 Coffeehan Scale

I give Cafe Kitsune 4 coffee beans.

🫘 Sad. Will never come back again.

🫘🫘 Meh. Lots of things to improve. Might reconsider a visit but maybe not anytime soon.

🫘🫘🫘 Good! There’s room for improvement, but overall, it was awesome. I will come back.

🫘🫘🫘🫘 Great! It’s almost perfect, but not quite there yet. Definitely, I will come back.

🫘🫘🫘🫘🫘 Magnificent! It’s a coffee shop done right. he coffee is heavenly, the ambiance is perfect, and the crew is fantastic! Definitely worth the bucks and a revisit.

Author’s Note: Coffeehan’s scale pertains to Mara’s general feel about a coffee shop. The rating is based on her personal opinion, which is primarily influenced by the coffee’s taste more than the place’s aesthetics. The rating doesn’t aim to change, nor does it represent another person’s view of the coffee shops featured on this blog.

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Do you want me to review any coffee shops? Leave your suggestion in the comment box below, and I’ll make time to check it out. 💕

Coffee Shop Review: Cafe Kitsune, Mandaluyong, Philippines

ℹ️ Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune quick information

📍Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune location

🖼️ Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune ambiance and interiors

💻 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune WiFi

🔌 Coffee shop – Cafe Kitsune electrical outlets