For a drink with a cult-like following, matcha has always had a surprisingly high barrier to entry.
Some people love its earthy, vegetal depth, while others take one bitter sip and decide that it tastes like grass forever. SUPER MATCHA, the Seoul-born cafe concept that recently opened in SM Megamall, was built around the idea that matcha doesn’t have to be that difficult.
Manila meets SUPER MATCHA
Entrepreneurs Daryl Chang and Manolo Tho first discovered the brand during a trip to Seoul back in 2023. Unsurprisingly, what initially caught their attention was the brand’s bold, in-your-face design with a bright green color, clean typography, and overall presentation that made it seem more like a modern lifestyle label than a traditional tea brand.
The big surprise, however, came after their first sip because it was noticeably lighter, smoother, and cleaner than what they were used to. There was no bitterness or overpowering vegetal flavor that often makes matcha feel like an acquired taste. Instead, it was balanced and approachable—the kind of drink that didn’t need any second-guessing.
It’s that experience that eventually led them to bring SUPER MATCHA to Manila, believing there was room in the local market for a softer, more accessible version of the green drink.
What is Korean matcha?
While most Filipinos are more familiar with Japanese matcha, SUPER MATCHA hopes to introduce a different expression altogether. Japanese matcha is richer, deeper, and more umami-forward. It can also have stronger vegetal notes. Korean matcha, on the other hand, leans bright, clean, and refreshingly floral, with minimal bitterness for a lighter finish.
For some, the difference might sound blasphemous; for others, it might go unnoticed. But for first-time drinkers, it could potentially change the entire experience because that softer profile feels less like a ritual and more like a sip of comfort. And in a country where coffee and sugary drinks are the go-to, Daryl and Manolo saw an opportunity to introduce something different without it being too unfamiliar.
Must-Try: The Cheese-Topped Ensaymatcha and Unique Other Drinks
That accessibility is apparent after even just glancing at their menu. Instead of insisting on one “correct” way to drink matcha, SUPER MATCHA offers a diverse set of entry points: pure matcha, lattes, cream-based drinks, lemonade options, soft serves, desserts, and even non-matcha drinks like the Oat Cream Bori Latte, which uses toasted Korean barley for a flavor profile closer to coffee. The menu is designed this way because their goal isn’t to force people into liking matcha, but to make exploring easy.
The clearest example of that is the Ensaymatcha—the brand’s Philippine-exclusive drink topped with queso cream and shaved cheese. As the name implies, the playful, yet nostalgic drink is directly inspired by the familiar flavors of ensaymada. The team says the idea came from thinking about comfort food Filipinos already love and translating those flavors into a matcha beverage. I initially had doubts, but it’s thick, creamy, slightly savory, and a surprisingly good pairing—something I’m sure that fans of both matcha and ensaymada will love.
Why SUPER MATCHA’s Approach is Winning Over Filipinos
Since launching, the team says one of the biggest surprises has been how open Filipino customers are to trying a different kind of matcha. Rather than comparing it to what they already know, many seem genuinely curious about the differences between Korean and Japanese matcha. And that eagerness explains why brands like SUPER MATCHA are finding space in a market long dominated by coffee.
Still, SUPER MATCHA is adamant that they’re not trying to “convert” anyone. The team repeatedly emphasizes that taste is personal, and not everyone has to like matcha. That’s exactly why the brand works—because it doesn’t demand that people learn to love matcha. It simply offers a version that feels easier to meet halfway.
Which brings everything back to that very first sip in Seoul; the sip that didn’t need any decoding, convincing, or taste acquiring. Just something smooth, balanced, and unexpectedly easy to like. That’s what SUPER MATCHA is.
SUPER MATCHA is located at G/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Frequently Asked Questions
SUPER MATCHA is a Seoul-born Korean cafe brand specializing in smooth and approachable matcha drinks and desserts.
SUPER MATCHA recently opened at the Ground Level of the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.
Korean matcha is generally lighter, cleaner, more floral, and less bitter compared to Japanese matcha.
Ensaymatcha is SUPER MATCHA’s Philippine-exclusive drink inspired by ensaymada, topped with queso cream and shaved cheese.
No. They also offer coffee alternatives, soft serves, desserts, lemonade drinks, and barley-based beverages.
Popular options include the Ensaymatcha, matcha lattes, cream-based matcha drinks, and the Oat Cream Bori Latte.
Yes. SUPER MATCHA originated in Seoul, South Korea.
