Whether for an afternoon coffee shop date, or a place to share a good meal with family on a Sunday, or if you are on a hunt for a perfect nook to just relax and grab a book.. Buku Buku Kafe is just the right place.
Managed by a mother-daughter-son trio, Lyn, Jessica and Nicolas Santiago; Buku Buku Kafe is where aspiring artists, art enthusiasts, bookworms and foodies will find their new home. The Santiagos aim to make Buku Buku a cradle for local artists rooted in the South, showcasing their works – from murals, to stickers, comics, zines, postcard prints, and accessories. The kafe is also a spotlight for “southern” artists who are oozing their way to spoken word and music industry.
Buku Buku is a haven of peculiar things. The place is a combination of fancy and rustic, as if Alice in Wonderland is set inside a cozy New York apartment. The first thing that will get your attention is the Buku Buku’s signature chandelier of books and bulbs hanging from the ceiling. The chandelier of books is an idea of Lyn, brought from Buku Buku’s original branch in Cavite, and the books were of Jessica’s. Every corner of the cafe has the personal touch of Santiagos, “On the this wall; arts of the past, then arts of the present.. and upstairs is where we are planning to put the arts of the future” said Jessica Santiago, Buku-Buku Kafe’s head of communications.
On the left, you’ll crane your neck on the wall holding a collection of black and white photographs of pre and post-war Manila, bringing a whole wave of nostalgia.
Just below the wall of photographs, is a carefully arranged space for the local artists and their crafts. Here lay zines, postcard prints, comics, magazines, stickers, and all other accessories. Artsy finds you get to keep.
And on the right, the wall is alive with vivid colored street-art mural by Jeffrey Mateo. On the corner, The Board of Feels. Output is magical. Whisper on a piece of paper and pin it. The Board of Feels is there to welcome the thoughts left unsaid.
Buku Buku doesnt stop at aesthetics, it also caters good sweets and savories; reinvented Filipino delicacies. Their menu is known for its guilt-free food variety.
Darling Tuna Belly is a Tuna steak with peri-peri sauce dashed with mashed squash, perfect for those looking for a good heavy meal that is both satisfying and healthy.
Buku-Buku has the perfect solution for lots who just don’t exactly know what to eat; Three-way Sisig, the perfect meal for lunch or dinner hangouts. Made of tofu, pork and tuna sisig, all teamed up in a sizzling plate. This big plate comes with a big bowl of rice and can be eaten by section or mixed altogether. The perfect appetizer to partner with is Banana Chips and Garlic Bread, with their renowned malunggay dip.
Champorado de Suman, a classic Filipino merienda with a twist – made up of sticky brown rice infused with chocolate and crunchy orange crystals for extra texture. This dish comes with a small pitcher of tsokolate-eh to slather over that perfect bittersweet snack. A perfect match with Barako Mocha, made with local tablea and barako coffee.
On the exotic side of the menu, Street Laksa is the favorite. This dish is a fusion of Malaysian laksa and Filipino street food. A bowl of spicy noodle soup with rich aromatic broth, playfully combined with crab and squid balls on a stick. This is one of the newest dish on the menu, one of the most intriguing, too.
Buku Buku Kafe will be in constant motion to provide more intriguing meals and it’s hub will always be active with gigs, jams, and workshops; a place you can go back to and will never fail to surprise you.
Buku-Buku Kafe is located on the Upper Ground Level of SM Southmall, Alabang-Zapote road, Las Piñas. Follow them on Facebook (fb.com/BukuBukuKafe) and Instagram (@buku.bukukafe) for new food, events, and updates.
