Seoul’s Super Matcha is now in Manila

Super Matcha is known for serving Korean matcha in different forms but that wasn’t what initially drew in Daryl Chang—it was the branding: that bright Bottega green, the font, the design.

“As creatives who work in fashion, we’re always drawn to good design, and this felt like a beverage brand that understood visual language the way fashion houses do,” she told The Philippine STAR.

But Super Matcha tastes as good as it looks. "It was unlike any matcha we’d had before. It was our first time trying Korean matcha, and what stood out immediately was how clean it was. Minimal bitterness, none of that aggressive vegetal note that sometimes makes you second-guess if you actually like what you’re drinking. It was just smooth, balanced, instantly enjoyable. It was the kind of matcha you could really sit with, and the kind that made us think, why don’t we have this at home?"

Daryl calls it “love at first taste and typography.”

That was in 2023 and, since then, Daryl and her partners—her husband Mano Lotho, Denise Reyes, Benz Ang, and Robert and Vivian Tanchip (the same team behind the frozen yogurt brand Cloud Soft Treats)—worked on bringing Super Matcha to the country.

First store

Super Matcha finally opened its first store in the country, at SM Megamall Fashion Hall earlier this month.

The menu features matcha in six iterations: pure, latte, cream, crush, lemon and dessert. "Depending on your mood, you could actually have a different matcha drink every day of the week," said Daryl.

When she needs caffeine, Daryl goes for the Super Matcha Lemon Ade. “It’s pure matcha with lemon compote and soda water — very clean, very refreshing.”

On days she doesn't need caffeine, her pick is the Oat Cream Bori Latte. “I cannot emphasize how good this drink is. It’s topped with this really enjoyable layer of cream. Then the bori—which is Korean for barley—is toasted, so you get this deep, nutty, almost coffee-like profile but without the caffeine.”

Super Matcha is a great spot both for people already in love with matcha and those who think they don't like it. “It's not alienating. Sometimes matcha can feel like something you have to train your palate for. This isn’t that. Korean matcha is naturally light, clean and smooth, with minimal bitterness. It's a good starting point.”

I can attest to this. I've always been convinced that I'm not a matcha fan but Super Matcha has turned me into a convert. I'm already looking forward to going back.

I love the Oat Cream Matcha Latte (iced Super Matcha latte topped with oat cream) and, like Daryl, I also love the Oat Cream Bori Latte.

Ceremonial-grade Matcha

Try the signature Super Matcha Latte which uses ceremonial-grade matcha and a zero-calorie sweetener. Coffee lovers will enjoy the Matcha Espresso Latte. Daryl also enjoys the Coconut Matcha Latte (sweet organic matcha latte with creamy coconut milk).

Super Matcha’s desserts, including the soft serve, are worth a try. “Our rice and matcha swirl is divine!” said Daryl. The roll cakes (black roll and strawberry) are yummy, too.

There's also the Philippine-exclusive Ensaymatcha (Super Matcha Latte topped with queso cream and shaved queso de bola) which is one of Daryl's favorites.

You can take the Super Matcha experience home—they have home cafe sets, ceremony sets, tea bowls, tea whisks, matcha pockets (they have unsweetened and sweetened), and more. The Super Matcha Ceremony Badge Collection is super cute. 

Sustainability is important to Super Matcha, said Daryl. "We follow their 'No Plastic, Yes Recycle' approach, using biodegradable PLA cups and straws and encouraging reusable tumblers whenever possible."

Super Matcha's second store will be in Glorietta 3. This branch, which faces the newly redeveloped Glorietta Park, will not be bound by mall hours. "We’ll be able to open earlier and close later—something we’re quite excited about."

Super Matcha will also be opening in other SM Supermalls.

"It's an honor for us to host the first Super Matcha in the country," said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, who is a fan of the Super Matcha Latte. "I've known this brand and it's so refreshing. It's a younger take on matcha."

Super Matcha is on the ground floor of SM Megamall Fashion Hall.