HoYoFEST SEA 2022 took place in three phases, celebrating some of HoYovere's most popular live service titles. Tears of Themis was crushed between Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd, and ran from October 12, 2022 to October 23, 2022. It was held at partner cafes in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore. I visited HoYoFEST Philippines, held at Moon Rabbit Cafe. Moon Rabbit Cafe is an adorable spot in a hidden residential corner of San Juan that serves delicious Chinese food.
Booking
There was not too much press around the event. Tears of Themis announced it on social media, but the schedule clashed with the Childhood Dreams event in play, so HoYoFEST was quickly buried under other posts. Also, the cafe was not exclusively closed for HoYoFEST, so normal diners could still come and go.
Everyone had to make a reservation to guarantee a table and have the opportunity to purchase produce. Walk-ins were notoriously not allowed to shop, but could still dine. Reservations were open until the 14th but were eventually extended until the 17th, so my friend and I made a last minute decision to go to the Moon Rabbit Cafe on the 19th October.
We made a reservation after closing time on the 17th. I called the cafe on the 18th to make sure they got the reservation, but they said it would take two to three days to confirm, which seemed odd as the next day's slots were open. They finally said they would take a look and approved our booking on the afternoon of the 18th. It was probably easier to get approved as we went on an odd Wednesday so make sure to book earlier if you are going on a busier day.
Reduced mobility
There were quite a few stairs to get to the entrance, but the cafe was accessible, with a long ramp for wheelchairs and people on crutches. Because the ramp was not covered by a roof, it became very slippery and dangerous after rain, but the safety was helpful enough to help anyone who needed help.
ambience
Image by Professional Game Guides
The crowd was small on an unassuming Wednesday, but we were the last to arrive in the 11am group (although we arrived on time!). The cafe's interior was decorated with posters and displays depicting Stellis City's beloved male protagonists. The best decor was hidden outside the main dining room, where the walls were lined with panels of Rosa and the male protagonists.
The warm lighting and cozy atmosphere created an intimate dining experience, perfect for a date with Luke, Artem, Marius and Vyn. However, the low lighting resulted in some notoriously terrible photos.
Image by Professional Game Guides
The cafe played the familiar Tears of Themis OST for a few minutes, but eventually fell silent. At lunchtime, businessmen and families started coming for their perfectly normal lunches, but the cafe was never crowded.
Related: Tears of Themis Legal Studies Consultation Guide
Food
Image by Professional Game Guides
To participate in HoYoFEST, each guest had to purchase an adorable set meal which cost 450P (+ 50P for an appetizer). The Moon Rabbit Cafe offers Chinese dishes but offers a wider range of drinks and desserts. Meal options were well organized and attached to each male actor:
- Luke: Latte with white chicken and a cloud of caramel
- Artem: Chilli Garlic Wanton and Cherry-Aid
- Vyn: Spaeribs Claypot Rice and Matcha Cloud Latte
- Marius: Black Pepper Beef and Taro Chiffon
Mixing and matching food and drink was not allowed, so you had to commit to a set or buy more. The appetizer was salt and pepper tofu whichever meal you chose. Pictured above is Vyn's fixed meal, and below is Artem's fixed meal.
Image by Professional Game Guides
Both meals were very well presented and perfectly reflected each of the male personalities. We loved the taste of both meals, and even the Cherry-Aid wasn't bad at all (and we both hate cherries!). The portions were so huge that we had no room for dessert afterwards. However, the drinks were quite small and attracted a round of coffee afterwards.
Related: Genshin Impact Dishes Appear in Latest Tears of Themis CN Event Trailer
Merch
Image by Professional Game Guides
HoYoverse either underestimated the buying power of thirsty avocados in Stellis City or had no choice but to ration merch among all SEA events because the merch table was practically empty when I was there go. There were only two Tears of Themis items left: a magnet and a Shikishi. There were a few keychains and magnets featuring other HoYovers games, but they could have been more interesting.
The product line was certainly more exciting on day one, but most items also sold out immediately. If you're planning on stocking up on coveted goods, such as pillows and stuffed animals, you should definitely get there early on day one and line up early to secure big ticket items.
Image by Professional Game Guides
Everyone received a scratch card by liking the Tears of Themis Facebook page, which was basically a gacha where you could win an in-game code for S-Chips or amazing merchandise, with the grand prize being a blanket. The set meals also came with a bunch of goodies, like mug sleeves and coasters. If you bought P800 or more in merch, they would give you a free A6 transparent file, and everything was packed in a HoYoFEST paper bag, with three extra bags inside!
Overall experience
HoYoFEST 2022 was an interesting themed cafe event. I loved the quiet, laid back vibe (which was probably a hundred times more chaotic on the weekends) so I'd highly recommend visiting on a random weekday unless you're into merch . HoYoFEST was set up a little differently than most themed events. It was more intimate to a degree where you would probably feel a bit awkward to attend alone. That said, there weren't any activities to do either other than trying your luck with the scratch card and taking pictures, so it probably wouldn't be too exciting for younger fans. HoYoFEST 2022 was still a truly amazing experience, and it's exciting to see how HoYoverse plans to amp up the fan experience even further next year and beyond.
Check out our Tears of Themis Code Compilation to get free S Chips and more.
