LOOK: Japan’s Famous Butter Pastries Are Now In Manila

Butter makes everything better. This is the guiding principle of Butter Butler, the renowned Japanese bakery whose butter-centric desserts have enthralled foodies across Tokyo. Now Manila's butter fanatics can get a taste of these delicious pastries as the brand opens their newest store at the Powerplant Mall.

This is Butter Butler's first store outside Japan

Manila was the top choice for Butter Butler’s first store outside Japan—an easy decision, according to Bryan Tiu, President and CEO of iFoods Inc., and also the man behind the successful local franchise, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory. “The Philippines was always in the top five markets for Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory across Asia, so it made sense to bring Butter Butler here first,” he said at the store's launch. “We felt Filipinos would be as supportive [of Butter Butler]  as they were of our first foray into the market.”

Echoing Tiu’s sentiment were Sucrey Aoyama’s CEO Ryoichi Sakamoto and General Manager for overseas business Yusuke Hase, who both feel that the Filipino practice of pasalubong is similar to the Japanese tradition of omiyage, where travelers bring gifts and souvenirs back home to their loved ones. “Butter Butler has premium boxes that make for special gifts for friends and family,” says Sakamoto. “We only use premium butter sourced from Europe, French Guérande salt, and Canadian maple syrup to make sure we bring the best pastries to our customers.” 

These luxurious butter-drenched pastries make the perfect gifts or omiyage

Suffice to say, butter is the star in every baked product that has come out of the Butter Butler ovens. “It is a celebration of butter! One bite, and you can taste how the butter provides a rich, savory texture, and a flavor that supports the deliciousness of the dessert,” Tiu explains. The perfect example for this is the Manila exclusive Butter Croffle — a unique creation that combines the crispy, buttery exterior of a croissant and the soft, fluffy interior of a waffle. Each bite is a harmonious balance of flavors. 

The Butter Croffle is available only in Manila

Other iconic Butter Butler classics available at the Powerplant Mall branch are the indulgent Butter Financiers, soft moist cakes with golden-brown crusts, and the Butter Galettes noted for their crisp, chewy texture with a bit of a salty bite. Both pastries come in special gift boxes, making them the perfect  hostess gift to bring to your next dinner party or potluck.

Butter Galettes (left) and Butter Financiers (right)

The store launch was greeted with much enthusiasm, with special guests and foodies converging to eagerly sample the freshly baked goodies. The air was heady with an irresistible buttery aroma, as we were welcomed by official Butter Butler (and brand ambassador) Tatsuhito Osabe.  

(From left) - Hitoshi Yoshida (Head Chef of Sucrey Aoyama), Ryoichi Sakamoto (CEO of Sucrey Aoyama, Tatsuhito Osabe (also known as Butter Butler/Brand Ambassador of Butter Butler), Bryan Tiu (President and CEO of iFoods Group Inc.), Yusuke Hase (General Manager of overseas business of Sucrey Aoyama), Misa Ogura

With its first branch now open at the R2 Level of Power Plant Mall, this Japanese pastry haven is set to butter up Manila’s dessert scene in style. Even the most dessert-averse will find it hard to say no. “We’re thrilled to share the unique and indulgent world of Butter Butler with the Philippines,” says Tiu.  And in case you were still in doubt, we say yes: butter does make everything better. 

Butter Butler is located at R2 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati. Call 0915 093 1191. Instagram: @butterbutlerph.