Foodography: A Singapore Food Blog

Jun 28 2026

Cafe, Johor Bahru, Malaysia - Johor Bahru

Dona Bakery at Tiara Sport World – New outlet of Dona Bakehouse in JB

Founded in 2023 by the sisters behind Poke Twins, Doña Bakehouse is a home-grown Johor Bahru bakery that has quickly built a reputation for its artisan pastries and French-inspired bakes. I have visited their flagship bakehouse at 14 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (beside the famous Hiap Joo Bakery) twice, and recently visited their newest outlet at Tiara Sport World.

Previously, the space was solely occupied by Poke Twins, and after the recent renovation, it has been rebranded as Dona Bakery x Poke Twins. Upon entering, I was greeted by a long, open display of pastries and their freshly baked aroma. Gone were the dark and moody furnishings of Poke Twins, renewed by the identity and aesthetics of Dona Bakery. The new design embraced a minimalist Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, with white brick walls and light wood finishes to create a bright and airy atmosphere.

From the All Day Breakfast menu, I had the Eggs Benedict (RM30, SGD9.5), which came with 2 poached eggs, classic hollandaise sauce, baby spinach and mashed avocados on sourdough toast. I also added smoked salmon for RM4 (SGD1.3). Overall, the dish was substantial in terms of quality and portion for its price.

Both the Latte (RM10, SGD3.2 with a main ordered vs. a la carte price of RM14) and Matcha Latte (RM15, SGD4.7, +RM2 for oat milk) were decent, the matcha tasting better than the other time at the flagship where I had the matcha strawberry latte.

The highlight of Dona Bakery is their pastries, a must order if you’re visiting. This time, I carefully picked the Hazelnut Chocolate Pain Suisse (RM15.9, SGD5) and Strawberry Danish (RM13.9, SGD4.4). If I had to rank the various pastries from Dona, my favourite would be the Strawberry Danish, which had buttery, flaky layers of laminated pastry, a silky vanilla custard with a subtle sweetness and fresh, tart strawberry pieces.

Due to the lack of stomach space, there were sadly many items which I did not get to try – especially their Signature Bowls and Signature Nori Tacos from Poketwins, and Artisanal Cakes from Dona Patisserie. This calls for another visit.

Tiara Sport World, Jalan Pasir Pelangi, Pasir Pelangi, 80500 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

8.30am – 9pm daily

Jun 20 2026

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Cafe, Food, Johor Bahru

FewLab Coffee – Minimalist Café in JB Housed in a Bungalow

FewLab Coffee is a Muslim-owned establishment, first opened in 2023 as a nondescript café serving both food and coffee. Just last year, they relocated to Kampung Bahru in JB with a new direction and aesthetic. Tucked away in a quieter corner of Johor Bahru (still relatively accessible with just a 15min Grab ride from JB Sentral), the café is housed in a 2-storey ex-residential home with a wide front yard for alfresco dining.

Through the bungalow’s main gate then the house’s door, I entered the café to find myself in a minimally designed space which felt like an interior designer’s living room. All the elements weaved together seamlessly: the orange corner couch, wooden bookshelf, arching lamp, old school floor tiles. The vibe was retro with a touch of modern.

There was a relaxed, almost jazzy ambience, and the overall atmosphere leans towards calm and relaxing.

The food menu offers All Day Breakfast (big breakfast, pancakes, waffles), Asian dishes (wok fried rice, smoky lemak chili padi with white rice), a Main dish (cajun roast chicken), Toasts, Snacks, Pastas and Desserts. Unfortunately, most of the items were not available when I visited, so I made do with the limited choices.

I had the Grilled Chicken Aglio Olio (RM14, SGD4.5) which was pleasantly garlicky with both chicken and spaghetti not overly salted or oily. The dish was not fancy like one you can find in an Italian restaurant, it was more like a comfort homecooked pasta.

The drinks menu has a range of coffees such as espresso, filter, signature coffee drinks, and non-coffee drinks such as soda and matcha. Some of the aesthetic drinks you might want to try are their Matcha Strawberry (RM14) with salty strawberry cream and Matcha Earl Grey (RM15, SGD4.8) with earl grey and salty white cream.

As for me, I stuck with my usuals, i.e. the Hot White (RM11, SGD3.5) and Hot Matcha Latte (RM12, SGD3.8).

The White I had were brewed by Louvre Brewer in JB, using beans from Yunnan’s Lan Chang Tian Hao. It had a flavour profile of raisin, winey chocolate, and orange peel. Meanwhile, the matcha was whisked with Midori matcha powder. Both drinks were alright, though they had a slightly heavier mouthfeel than my preference.

Thanks to the simple yet unpretentious fare and cosy atmosphere, I felt like I was comfortably lounging in a friend’s living room and dining room, idling the afternoon away.

15a, Jalan Mariamah 9, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

Mon – Thu 12pm to 8pm

Fri – Sun 4pm – 12am

Jun 14 2026

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Cafe, Food, singapore

Visitors Café – New Korean-inspired Café in Tanjong Pagar

Nestled along the bustling Korean enclave of Tanjong Pagar is Visitors, a fresh new Korean-inspired cafe that brings the charm of Se oul’s buzzing coffee culture to Singapore. Located within Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Visitors is the latest concept by Gold Moon Restaurant Group, the team behind popular Korean dining establishments such as Noci Pasta Bar, Noci Bakehouse, Tonshou and Seoul Noodle Shop.

The café interior reminded me of minimalist cafes in one of Seoul’s trendy neighbourhoods such as Yeonnam-dong or Seongsu-dong. It embraced a neutral colour palette, featuring warm wood furnishings, high ceilings and abundant natural lighting, creating an airy and calming environment.

There were both outdoor and indoor seating areas, the former being pet-friendly.

Visitors served an all-day menu that blended Korean café influences with familiar brunch favourites.

From the drinks menu, my favourite one out of those I’ve tried was the Visitors Cream Latte ($8), which was their signature black sesame dirty latte with house-made black sesame cream and espresso. It stroke a good balance between the espresso’s bitterness and black sesame’s nuttiness, with the black sesame flavour being pronounced (but not overly sweet).

I also had their Latte ($6) but found the coffee on its own slightly too bitter for my liking.

Meanwhile, the non-caffeinated Ube Latte ($7), a blend of premium purple yam and milk, delivered subtly sweet and earthy flavour, and the Matcha Cloud ($8), featuring coconut water base topped with a creamy matcha foam, was light and refreshing.

On the food menu, one of the more popular items was the Croissant Butter Selection ($15), where their croissant is split into 2 and you choose any 2 sweet or savoury topping for each half of the croissant. My friend chose strawberry cream cheese and apple & brie (+$1). The croissant on its own was flaky and buttery, and paired well with our toppings.

For Danish breakfast lovers, the Bread & Butter Plate ($17) would be worth a try – this comprised slices of sourdough, soft-boiled egg, seasonal fruit jam, comte cheese and maldon salt.

For something more substantial, the Basil Garlic Chicken Sandwich ($18) made a satisfying meal. Packed with marinated chicken breast, basil garlic mayonnaise, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes between 2 slices of sourdough, the sandwich was well-balanced and not too heavy or dry.

On the dessert menu were 2 flavours of Basque Cheesecake and I tried both. Between the Black Sesame Basque Cheesecake ($11) and Mugwort Basque Cheesecake ($11), my preference was the Black Sesame version, which was rich, creamy and nutty. There was a subtly sweet and creamy black layer of sesame cream topped over it which enhanced the overall black sesame flavour.

Though the mugwort version had very subtle earthy notes complemented with the injeolmi crumble topping, as a fan of mugwort, I felt that the mugwort flavour could be a lot more pronounced, with more crumble to go along.

Overall, Visitors was a welcome addition to Tanjong Pagar, likely to continue drawing in the crowd in the months ahead. While the café can quickly become crowded right from the early morning, its inviting ambience and unpretentious brunch fare made it worth a visit.

7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-106, Singapore 081007

8am – 10pm daily

Jun 07 2026

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Bangkok, Cafe, Food

Reviewing my Top 2 Matcha Lattes in Bangkok – MTCH and MATCHA PEOPLE

Combining my past visits and most recent visit to Bangkok where the matcha craze is at its peak, I’ve ranked my top 2 favourite matcha lattes, from MTCH and Matcha People.

MTCH – Sathorn

Having visited their Ari branch 2 years ago with great memories of their matcha latte and dessert, I was traveled to their new outlet at Sathorn with high hopes and expectations. It is located on the ground floor of The Step Sathon Hotel, along a narrow passageway.

The exterior immediately caught my eye with its clean architectural lines and large glass panels which allowed natural light to flood the space. Stepping inside, the design remained true to MTCH’s signature minimalist identity. The space was designed with concrete, steel, light wood, reflecting soft muted and neutral tones, where the centrepiece was undoubtedly the sleek matcha bar.

I ordered both the Matcha Latte and Hojicha Latte from the menu. For matcha, I chose the Haru (THB170, SGD6.7 +THB10 for oat milk), which had a vibrant green hue. The flavour was as good as I remembered it to be – smooth and umami, and well-balanced. It shocked me that 75% sweetness was the standard, as I went with 0% sweetness which was my usual way of drinking matcha latte and thought it was perfectly fine. (I would not be able to accept anything sweeter).

For the Cold Whisk Hojicha Latte (THB130, SGD5.1 +THB10 for oat milk), there were 3 options – light, medium and dark roast powder and I went with Uji Todo which was the light roast. It had notes of vanilla, caramel, roasted herbs, just as good as the matcha in terms of the smoothness, umami and well-balanced flavour profile.

Unlike the Ari and Sukhumvit outlets, this Sathorn outlet did not have the full range of matcha desserts, which I wish they offered. Only the Monaka Set (THB90, SGD3.5) was on the menu so I went with it. The sweet red bean and white bean complemented the umami matcha and hojicha lattes.

Note that while there were benches both in and outside the store, there were no proper dine-in tables and chairs, so you might want to consider visiting the Ari or Sukhumvit branches if you prefer to dine-in comfortably.

87 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Nearest BTS: Surasak Station Exit 2

8am – 5.30pm Mon to Sat

MATCHA PEOPLE – Ari

Located in the ever-trendy Ari neighbourhood, Matcha People was the passion project of Thai actress Ploy Horwang in collaboration with the team behind popular donut brand Drop by Dough.

The café exterior stood out from its neighbours, with instagrammers frequently posing for photos by the outdoor bench. Inside, sunlight filled the space in the late afternoon, highlighting the warm wood elements, natural stone textures, and stainless-steel accents of the space. At the heart of the café was a large communal round table where I sat.

I had their signature Matcha People Latte (THB220, SGD8.6) – promoted as a drink for matcha lovers seeking something different. The matcha latte was brewed with cashew milk, offering a smooth, nutty tone, then topped with butterfly pea flower foam for added smoothness and to enhance the matcha flavour. The pairing of matcha with cashew milk was a first for me, and I loved how it made the latte more refreshing, with enhanced nuttiness.

I was so impressed with the drink that I decided to get another one – their Coconut Crispy Rolls Matcha (THB220, SGD8.6), which was pure matcha with coconut water, topped with fragrant and creamy black sesame cream and bits of coconut crispy rolls. This drink was heavier than the Matcha People Latte, but still great. The black sesame cream and coconut crisps were subtle and did not clash with the matcha coconut.

One of their recommended desserts was the Matcha & Genmai Burnt Cheesecake (THB220, SGD8.6). I especially loved the use of genmai to provide roasted rice notes and added texture, pairing well with the earthy creaminess of the cheesecake.

Fancy matcha drinks and desserts could be done well indeed.

46/1 Phahon Yothin 7, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Nearest BTS: Ari Station Exit 3

8am – 5pm daily

May 17 2026

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Cafe, Food

Mozmoji – New Aesthetic Café and Ceramic Shop in Chinatown

One of the hottest new café openings in April is Mozmoji, which also serves as a ceramic shop and gallery. Tucked on the second floor of a shophouse in Chinatown with a discreet entrance, the café felt like one of those hidden cafes you stumble upon by chance and immediately want to gatekeep.

Inside, the bustling, touristy atmosphere of Chinatown shifted completely to a peaceful ambiance. At the end of the shophouse facing the main road is the gallery and shop with wooden shelves displaying beautiful, handcrafted ceramics. There were also a few dine-in tables there, where I sat by the window with soft, natural light flowing in through the white curtains. The other end was the main café and dine-in area – with the coffee counter, kitchen and bar seats by the counter.

A unique aspect of the café was that diners get to pick their own ceramic cup for their drinks, and their own plates for their desserts. After scanning the QR code at my table to place my order, the employee at the reception came over and led me to a display of cups and plates from which I chose my desired ceramic pieces.

The menu was kept simple, with a selection of espresso-based drinks, signature drinks, hand brewed coffees and cakes.

I had the Latte ($7.8, +$1 for oat milk) which was made with medium-dark roasted beans from oma coffee roasters – the coffee was smooth and well-balanced.

I also had their signature Matcha Latte ($9.8, +$1 for oat milk) made with Marukyu Koyamaen’s Isuzu matcha powder, which had a smooth and mild flavour profile.

Beyond coffee and matcha, the other signature drinks on the menu were their Viennas, available in variations such as Pistachio ($12.8), Black Sesame ($12.8), and Matcha ($11.8). These were topped with freshly whipped cream.

From the dessert menu, the Cotton Cheesecake ($12.8) which I really wanted to try was unfortunately not available when I went, so I had the Matcha Strawberry Cake ($15.8) and Black Tea Basque Cheesecake ($14.8) instead.

The former, like the matcha drinks, was a cheesecake infused with Marukyu Koyamaen matcha powder. Though I wished the matcha flavour could be more pronounced, it paired well with the layer of fresh, juicy strawberries at the base which adds sweetness and tartness to balance the rich cheesecake.

I preferred the Black Tea Basque Cheesecake, which was infused with selected black tea. The center was smooth and creamy, with a delicate tea aftertaste that was not heavy on the palate. I thought that the tea flavour was brought out well. Both cakes were not overly sweet.

Compared to other cafes, the prices here were on the higher end, though I enjoyed the overall experience and ambiance. As the main dine-in area can get noisy with more patrons settled in, I suggest visiting as early as possible to revel in the calming space.

252 South Bridge Road, #02-01, Singapore 058801

Soft launch period: 10am – 7pm Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun

May 10 2026

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Cafe, Malaysia - Johor Bahru

Niko Niko Onigiri Johor Jaya – Aesthic aquarium themed café in JB with onigiris and strawberry matcha latte

Founded in 2012, Niko Niko Onigiri is built around a modern Japanese café concept combining traditional onigiri, casual Japanese cuisine and Instagram-friendly design elements. Their latest outlet in Johor Bahru is situated in Johor Jaya, about 20-30 mins ride away from Singapore customs.

Typically packed on the weekends, with long queues forming outside during peak hours, I took the chance to visit on a weekday before noon, when the café was still relatively empty and peaceful.

The modern, cutesy aesthetics has undoubtedly attracted lots of Gen Z and millennials to the café – from the aquariums, tiled tables, skylight to the logos and illustrations on the menu. Even I found their branding and concept appealing. I grabbed one of the coveted tables with the vibrant backdrop of the goldfish tank.

Take note that while the café opens early from 9am everyday, only the Breakfast Sets (RM6.9, SGD2.2 for 1 onigiri, miso soup and potato salad, RM11.9, SGD3.8 for 2 onigiris, soup and salad) are served before 11am. Mains and desserts are available from 11am.

I started with the Hot Matcha Latte (RM14.9, SGD4.8, + RM2, SGD0.6 for oat milk), which was just alright, passable compared to better ones I’ve had in JB. For the colourful aesthetics, you could also consider their Strawberry Matcha (RM16.9, SGD5.5), Hojinut (RM13.9, SGD4.5) – coconut water with hojicha foam, or the Ghibli’s (RM17.9, SGD5.8) with blue butterfly pea, coconut milk, yogurt, and shine muscat grape.

I could not skip the Onigiri Set (RM14.9, SGD4.8) given that the café is the namesake of the dish. The set cane with a choice of 2 Onigiris and is served with Miso Soup, Potato Salad and Kaarage. From the variety of onigiri fillings, I picked natto and teriyaki salmon. While the onigiris were decent, I did not think they were especially umami and worth queueing for.

For my main dish, I had the Una Don (RM33.9, SGD10.9) which came with flame torched Japanese eel, homemade tamagoyaki and spring onion topped on okaka rice. It was also accompanied with potato salad and miso soup. Flavour and texture wise, the unagi was sweet and smoky with a crisp torched surface and tender flesh, and the tamagoyaki was subtly sweet and substantial. However, the rice was not well-seasoned (despite its colour), and the entire dish was barely lukewarm, which made me feel unsettled.

I did not have space for their dessert which was their Signature Tiramisu (RM20, SGD6.5) made with espresso-based sponge cake, fresh mascarpone, dark chocolate, sea salt and pure cocoa.

28, Jalan Dedap 7, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

9am – 8.30pm daily

May 02 2026

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Food

Porjai Baking Studio – Bangkok Café with Korean-like Aesthetic Cakes and Drinks

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Bangkok further out from the city (~30 mins – 1 hour drive depending on the traffic), Porjai Baking Studio began as a passion project rather than a full-fledged café. Originally known as a humble home baking venture, the studio was started by an owner with a love for creating delicate, homemade cakes — a craft that gradually gained a loyal following. Over time, the operation evolved into a bakery-cafe along with the cosy studio.

From the outside, the café’s subtle signage is easy to miss, but once you spot it, there is an immediate sense of calm that draws you in. Greenery frames the entrance, which leads to a small outdoor patio with part shade, part natural sunlight.

Inside, the space is partitioned into 2 areas – one with the display and order counter and kitchen at the back, the other area is a studio with interiors out of a design magazine. I was surprised that the owner allowed patrons to enjoy the food and drinks not just in the main seating area of the café but in the studio as well.

The café focuses on small-batch quality bakes, along with a wide range of both coffee and non-coffee drinks.

My friend had the Iced Black Sesame Latte (THB135, SGD5.3), which had a rich black sesame layer which blended seamlessly with the coffee – a mix of medium to dark-brazil santos (natural 50%) and thai (wash 50%).

Meanwhile, I had the Matcha Cloud (THB155, SGD 6.1 +THB15, SGD0.6 for oat milk) which is essentially a matcha latte topped with a layer of cream resembling a cloud. I felt that the matcha could be more intense or could have a higher ratio vs. the milk and cream as it was rather mild.

The matcha powder used was Yame from Fukuoka with tasting notes of roasted nuts, malty, umami salty, mellow, but I could not taste them.

I picked the 2 prettiest cakes among those displayed. The Strawberry Overload (THB390, SGD15.3) was neatly layered with strawberries, cream and sponge cake – each bite was light and fluffy, a mix of sweet and tart flavours dominated by the strawberries.

Cleverly served using the melon rind as a base, the Melon Short Cake (THB250, SGD9.8) was sweet and juicy. The high quality of the fruits used was evident.

Unlike the cafes within the central parts of the city which can feel trendy and more fast-paced, this spot offers a corner to slow down, unwind, and savour the sweetness of delicate drinks and desserts without the crowd.

221 Panya Indra Rd, Bang Chan, Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok 10510, Thailand

8am – 5pm daily except Wednesdays (Closed)

Apr 04 2026

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Cafe, Daegu, South Korea, Travel

Patrick Kaffe Hus – Minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired Café in Daegu

When I was planning my first trip to Daegu, Patrick Kaffe Hus was one of the cafes I wanted to visit the most. It isn’t just another minimalist Korean café—it’s built around a distinct narrative concept. The café imagines the life and tastes of a fictional character named “Patrick,” said to live in Denmark, and the entire space reflects what he might like: coffee, dessert, furniture, jazz.

The café opens into a soft, Scandinavian-inspired space, with carefully arranged vintage wooden furniture and plants, creating a warm, homely atmosphere that feels more like a living room than a café.

Don’t come expecting heavy dining. The food menu is not complex, with light brunch fare including the PATRICK French Toast (KRW12,000, SGD10.2), Grilled Veggie Sandwich (half KRW6,500, SGD5.5 or full KRW12,000), Grilled Potato Sandwich (KRW12,000) and Banana Bread (KRW6,500).

I was here, though, for their popular Scandinavian buns – unfortunately, I did not get the memo that they were only out around 11am daily so I settled with the Banana Bread and a cup of hot Latte (KRW4,500, SGD3.8 +KRW1,000, SGD0.9 for oat milk) while waiting. There was also a filter coffee line up.

When the buns were finally freshly baked and out of the oven, I got the signature one, which was their Kanelbullar (KRW4,500, SGD3.8), or cinnamon bun. The other 2 options were the Chocolate & Hazelnut Bun (KRW4,800, SGD4.1) and Cardamom Bun (KRW4,800).

Crisp on the outside, fluffy and warm on the inside, with a tinge of saltiness from the salt flakes speckled on top, the cinnamon roll was especially comforting and satisfying on that cold winter morning. I liked how it was not cloyingly sweet, and instead there was a teaspoon of brown sugar on the side for you to adjust the sweetness to your preference. I was so tempted to try the other 2 but had to save space for the next café.

Come for the Swedish buns and coffee, stay for the calm and peaceful ambiance.

87 Jong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

8am – 7pm Mon to Fri (except Tues closed)

10am – 7pm Sat to Sun

Mar 22 2026

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Cafe, Johor Bahru

Miyakori Coffee Keishoku Kissa – Japanese inspired Café in Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru

Founded in 2013 by 2 branding and design professionals, Miyakori Coffee opened its first outlet in JB, focusing on Japanese fusion food with Japanese-inspired aesthetics. Since then, they have expanded to 3 other outlets.

Their newly minted flagship is located in Taman Melodies – a modern reinterpretation of the classic Japanese keishoku kissa (casual café that serves light meals, desserts and coffee in a cozy, nostalgic setting). The building has a simple and clean façade with rustic wooden architecture and large windows.

Inside, soft neutral tones dominate the space, with light wood furniture and clean lines creating a minimalist design.

The keishoku kissa specialises in coffee (using 100% Arabica from Brazil Columbia), teishoku (a traditional Japanese set meal that includes a main dish such as grilled fish, meat or tempura served with steamed rise, miso soup, and a few side dishes like pickles or vegetables), and desserts such as waffles and cakes homemade daily at their central kitchen.

I had the Caffe Latte (RM13, SGD4.2, +RM4, SGD1.3 for oatside milk), which was creamy and smooth and slightly towards the milky side. Perhaps the more distinctive choices would be their signature Mount Fuji Latte (RM14. SGD4.6), which comes in a glass shaped like Mount Fuji.

For my main course, I had the Unagi Teishoku (RM48, SGD15.6) which came with sweet grilled unagi, tamago, pickled vegetables, sesame salad, miso soup and a bowl of rice on the side. Portion and quality-wise, I thought it was well worth the money.

To end, I had the Matcha Cheesecake (RM24, SGD7.8) which unfortunately was too firm and dry (felt like it was refrigerated for too long and at a temperature too cold) and lacked the bitter, earthy notes of matcha I was expecting.

While the café was still relatively quiet and empty, it did feel like I was transported to a peaceful, traditional coffeehouse in Kyoto.

10am – 10pm daily

382 Tebrau Highway, Taman Kebun The, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Feb 17 2026

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Food

Shuu Patisserie – New Cottage Café in JB Serving Aesthetic Pastries and Desserts

Shuu Patisserie is a Muslim-owned café which started as a small, humble pastry shop in Johor Bahru with a Korean café-inspired interior. They were known for their signature choux pastries and caneles amongst other desserts like brownies and cookies.

I didn’t have the chance to visit until recently, after they relocated and expanded to a much bigger space at Taman Abad, an area that is also home to many popular cafes. Designed like a cosy brick cottage, both the façade and interior of the café were highly aesthetic, perfect for photos.

While the café has continued to focus on pastries and desserts, they have expanded their menu offering to serve brunch. Expect western brunch dishes such as Shakshuka (RM26, SGD8.4) and Chrysanthemum Benedict (RM29.9, SGD9.7), and Chinese-inspired dishes such as Beef Butter Noodles (RM28, SGD9.1) and Shuu’s Chicken Noodle (RM26, SGD8.4).

I chose the Prawn Toast (RM25, SGD8.1) as I saw strawberry ketchup listed as an ingredient and was curious. Plump and juicy prawn farci was sandwiched between two large slices of crispy fried shokupan, then topped with a thick layer of strawberry ketchup and garnished with spring onions. The tangy-sweet strawberry ketchup paired well with the prawn farci and toast, though I felt the toast was quite greasy and “gelak” towards the end.

I really wanted to try more from the brunch menu but decided to save space for more desserts. Choosing from the different flavours of choux puff, canelé and cakes on display was too difficult – they all sounded and looked appetizing.

In the end, I had the Mango Passion Oolong Choux Puff (RM15, SGD4.9), Matcha Canele (RM12, SGD3.9) and the Christmas Special – Christmas Tree Cake (RM21, SGD6.8). In my opinion, the most well-executed dessert was the choux puff – the choux layer remained airy, thin and crisp despite my extended photo-taking under the harsh sunlight. The generous filling of mango passion oolong was not overly sour or sweet.

Though the outer crust of the Matcha Canele was harder than I expected, I loved the inner filling of gooey, bitter matcha lava. The Christmas tree cake was also fun to cut into, with layers of chocolate fudge and sponge within.

I tried both the Hot Latte (RM14, SGD4.5) and Iced Matcha Strawberry Latte (RM18, SGD5.8), which were just alright.

Though the café is still relatively new to the scene, it has been gaining traction, with queues forming at peak hours especially on the weekends. Slot this brunch spot into your next JB trip as soon as you can, before the Singaporean crowd spots this under-the-radar café.

Do take note that prices stated above have not included service charge 10% and SST 6%, and only cashless payment (via Duitnow QR code) is accepted.

203, Jln Wijaya, Taman Abad, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

10am – 6pm daily except Wednesdays

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MTCH – Sathorn

MATCHA PEOPLE – Ari

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