MANILA -- It’s not every day that the Philippines gets something before the rest of the world, such as the case of having not one but two Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory Cafés.

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory has won hearts and taste buds around the world with its delectable cheesecakes and creamy soft serve ice cream. In Manila, it’s hard to find a major mall without a kiosk peddling the Hokkaido treats, which has enjoyed a steady following for the last three years.

With the main goal of making the Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory brand and products more accessible to Filipinos, the first café -- and flagship store -- at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Pasay officially opened earlier this year, followed by a second branch in Estancia Mall in Pasig.

Besides the obvious draw of Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory’s popular confections that were previously not available in the Philippines like the milk pie and the pancakes, the café also aims to be a major player in the Yoshoku (Japanese-style Western dishes) cuisine market in the Philippines.

“There are quite a few players in the market, so it’s a good opportunity,” said Bryan Tiu, the founder and CEO of I-Foods Group, Inc., which brought Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory to the Philippines.

Yoshoku dishes include popular Japanese dishes like omurice, pasta, hamburg, among others. During our visit, the café served a selection of their dishes.

Here were our favorites.

1. Milk Pie

It’s a bite that must be experienced to be believed. On paper, it’s just puff pastry with Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory’s Hokkaido milk-cream filling. When you bite though, you’ll wonder how milk-cream can taste this good clean and fresh. A must-try. Jeeves de Veyra

2. Appetizers

The House Potato Chips were fried to a crisp and addicting when dipped in nori aioli, while the Sweet Corn Tempura fritters (in photo) were crispy outside, and soft and sweet inside, with the sweetness balanced by a light truffle mayonnaise dip. Jeeves de Veyra

3. Ebiko Carbonara

In this carbonara with a Japanese twist, there’s creaminess from fresh cream and a soft-boiled egg, as well as umami and salt from bacon and ebiko. Comfortingly familiar and at certain bites better than the usual carbonara, this dish is destined for bestseller status for kids and kids at heart. Jeeves de Veyra

4. TMC Tamago Sliders

This is not your typical egg sandwich. Thick, fluffy and sweet tamago squares join truffle mayonnaise and asiago cheese for this deceptively simple looking but delicious brioche sandwich. Jeeves de Veyra

5. 12-Hour Short-rib Sandwich

Short rib stewed for 12 hours make for tender and caramelized meat, and is an irresistible sourdough sandwich filling with aioli, pickled red cabbage and greens. A bit pricey but if you’re looking for a quality over quantity, you can’t go wrong with this sandwich. One question though, can I have some of those pulled short rib with rice and drippings please? Jeeves de Veyra

6. Chicken Cheese Omurice

Egg-covered rice with chicken and a cheese bechamel, this straightforward omurice dish made the tomato-tinged rice taste best among the omurice selection. Jeeves de Veyra

7. Pork Mille-fuille Furai

Think katsu in katsudon but stuffed with mozzarella cheese, paired with tomato sauce and served with a side of creamy truffle mashed potato. Jeeves de Veyra

8. Japanese Pancakes

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory Café does Japanese pancakes right. Stacked high, these pancakes — fluffy and white like marshmallows — tasted divine whether plain or fancy like in the Crème Brulee version which was draped in torched cream anglaise and sugar. Jeeves de Veyra

9. Caramel Banana Waffles

If you like the crisp and brown nooks only found in a waffle, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory Café’s waffles won’t disappoint. Go for something sweet and classic like the Caramel Banana waffle or savory sweet like their Cheese Waffle. Jeeves de Veyra