How It Began
Built for the Neighborhood, Brewed with Intention
Kōhī Kurabu — which translates to "Coffee Club" in Japanese — was founded by Jamir and Louie with a straightforward ambition: create a specialty cafe that actually belongs to the community it lives in. In a city like Marikina that punches above its weight for culture and craft, they saw a gap for a neighborhood anchor that combined serious coffee knowledge with an unhurried, genuinely welcoming atmosphere.
They found their space inside Golden Valley Subdivision in Brgy. Malanday — a gray building just beside South Supermarket. The industrial bones of the unit became the canvas: raw concrete walls, exposed dark ceiling beams, warm pendant lighting, and a mix of plush accent chairs and minimalist tables. The result feels intentional without being pretentious — a place where you can stay for an hour or an afternoon without feeling rushed out.
The Japanese name isn't decoration. From the moment you order, the philosophy is clear: ceremonial-grade matcha is whisked the proper way with a bamboo chasen, hojicha is handled with the same care, and every espresso is pulled with precision. Kōhī Kurabu quickly earned a reputation in Marikina not just for good coffee, but for being owners who genuinely care about quality without the pretentious markup.
