Kakigori reimagined: Japan's shaved ice dessert gets a Filipino makeover at AzukiToyo

GMA Network

16-07-2025

Shaved ice desserts are beloved across Asia, with the Philippines' very own halo-halo and Japan's delicate kakigori leading the way, charming diners with their distinctive flavors.
While both sweet treats share a love for finely shaved ice and indulgent toppings, what culinary magic could happen when these two dessert cultures collide?
That concept was what exactly sparked a 2019 collaboration dinner in Japan, where Toyo Eatery's chef Jordy Navarra introduced Florilège's chef Hiroyasu Kawate to the art of making Halo-Halo by hand with a manual ice shaver.
Kawate, whose two-Michelin-star Tokyo-based restaurant had already been exploring kakigori pop-ups, was intrigued. Months later, he sent a professional kakigori machine to the Toyo team, a gesture that would inspire the birth of AzukiToyo.
Located at the Karrivin Plaza in Makati City, AzukiToyo is an intimate, eight-seater dessert bar serving five flavors of reimagined kakigori: Lychee at Pomelo (P600), Azuki at Matcha (P600), Azuki at Merengue (P600) and two flavors closer to home: Halo-Halo (P700) and Mais at Keso (P800).
The art of making kakigori at AzukiToyo is faithful to where it comes from. The open kitchen lets diners witness the careful process: from waiting patiently as the ice reaches just the right clarity to the fascinating whirr of the kakigori machine as it shaves feather-light stripes of ice.
If you want a lighter kakigori after lunch or dinner, start with Lychee at Pomelo, where the namesake fruits are paired with a drizzle of kakang gata, offering a sweet, tropical finish.
For a classic Japanese flavor profile, Azuki at Matcha balances the earthy bitterness of matcha with the gentle sweetness of red beans and crisp meringue cookies.
On the other hand, if you're not a fan of matcha, don't fret: go for the Azuki at Merengue, a milder, matcha-free version with the same creamy red bean base as Azuki at Matcha.
If you're searching for something closer to home, you'll find joy in the Halo-Halo, a nostalgic nod to the Filipino classic dessert with layers of saba, ube, leche flan, langka, and more.
Last but definitely not the least, the Mais at Keso transforms mais con yelo into something luxurious, with fried Quezon corn bits, fresh queso de bola, and candied pinipig, adding crunch to every bite.
Those looking to book their seats at AzukiToyo must wait a little longer as July is already filled up, so keep your eyes peeled on their social media pages once the reservation for August begins.
AzukiToyo is located at 2316 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City. It's open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News