Category Archives: Cafe

Living Room – New Café Opening in the Late Morning Lifestyle Shop in Chinatown

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My first café visit in Singapore for the year was to Living Room – newly opened within a curated lifestyle store, Late Morning. The store has been around for nearly 2 years in Chinatown, bringing in aesthetic tableware, cutlery and home décor items from designer brands all over the world. Some of these boutique brands include APFR and Kinto.

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Recently, they received the F&B license to operate the cozy nook at the back of the store as a café which is now in soft opening phase. Maintaining the same minimalist setup as the store, the café features a small coffee and matcha counter where orders are taken and drinks are made, a compact kitchen where simple food is prepared, and wooden chairs and tables in the humble dine-in area.

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Though the space was narrow and probably would not fit more than 10, the atmosphere was snug and homely like a living room, a space to unwind.

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The drinks menu was similar to what was previously being served from Late Morning. For coffee, I had the White ($7, +$1 for oat milk), made with light roasted beans from Costa Rica, with tasting notes of dried mango, orange and whipped cream. For filter coffee, there were 2 types of Ethiopian beans available.

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While for matcha, I tried their Matcha Latte ($7, +$1 for oat milk) in both hot and iced versions. They were using matcha powder from Zhejiang which had a good intensity. Though many preferred the iced matcha, I personally liked the hot one better.

Both coffee and matcha were above average and I could see myself returning for a regular cup.

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As for the food menu, it was kept simple, with a roasted capsicum salad, 4 types of open-faced sandwiches and a cheesecake for dessert. I had the Sun-dried tomato, pesto ricotta on sourdough ($13) and Charred chili, ricotta on sourdough ($13) in a Half & half arrangement (additional $3)

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The sourdough was sourced from 174bingo, one of my favourite artisanal bakeries in Singapore, while the toppings were homemade in the kitchen. I liked the creamy, savoury pesto ricotta which paired with the sun-dried tomato, and the interesting charred chili which was smoky, sweet, with just a tinge of spiciness.

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I ended with the Homemade Basque cheesecake ($8) with salt and pepper and lemon curd on the side. It paired best with the lemon curd (wished there was more!) for me.

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Tues to Sun 11am – 7pm

1F, 230 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058779

OTTO Café, Johor Bahru – New Aesthetic JB Café in Taman Melodies

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Opened in September 2025, OTTO café is one of the latest cafes in JB to check out on your weekend or holiday getaway. It occupies a plot in a private residential area where many other cafes can be found in the vicinity, making it a good addition into your café-hopping agenda.

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The walkway leading to the entrance of the café featured brick-red aesthetics with neat landscaping. Stepping into the inviting and spacious indoor dining space, I could see there was an attention to detail in putting together the interior. From the clever use of contrasting curved and sleek lines, brick and terracotta designs, and primarily orange and grey tones, the space was well-designed like a model house featured in an interior webzine.

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With a large glass window at the front and an area with a see-through transparent ceiling, the cafe allowed much natural light to fill the space.

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From the selection of drinks, I tried both the coffee and matcha. My preference here was for the Latte (RM14, SGD4), followed by the Mocha (RM14, SGD4) and then Matcha Latte (RM19, SGD6).

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If I were to pick my favourite item from the dishes I’ve tried, it would be their Soft Shell Crab Toast (RM35, SGD11) which was also one of their signatures on the menu. I loved the distinct but not overwhelming curry flavour in the dish, which paired well with the creamy egg mayo and crispy and substantial soft shell crab. Non-spicy eaters could also enjoy this dish.

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Another main course that was recommended was the Mum’s Aglio Olio (RM38, SGD12) comprising spaghetti, vannamei prawns, chili flakes, confit garlic and ginger flower. The al dente spaghetti packed a garlicky punch.

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We also had the Golden Salmon Fillet (RM38, SGD12) which was a fusion Thai dish. The coconut toh kha, green pea, and papaya brought a good balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours to the dish.

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For the appetizers, you could go for a healthy option such as the Summer Garden Salad (RM23, SGD7) which featured an aesthetic plating of mesclun, yogurt honey dressing, seasonal fruits, and crumbled feta, or you could go for the less healthy but more tantalizing Crispy Cauliflower with Sour Plum Dust and Almond Flakes (RM23, SGD7).

Living up to its namesake, the cauliflower had a crispy batter which and made a crunchy dish together with the almond flakes, while the plum dust gave a sweet-sour edge. As sinful and addictive as it could get.

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As a dessert, we had the Tropical Acai Bowl (RM24, SGD8) which featured three small scoops of acai with homemade granola, banana, jackfruit, kiwi, mango, peanut cream, and chia seeds. The acai had a smooth and creamy texture, with notes of dark chocolate and berries.

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Meanwhile, I found the OTTO’s Brownie with Toffee Sauce (RM26, SGD8) slightly too dry for my liking.

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While the cafe is still new to the scene, the owner is a chef and entrepreneur with experience in cafe operations in Singapore, and that was evident from the overall quality of the food, service and ambiance.

81 Jalan Chengai 80250 Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru, 80250 Johor, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

Mon to Fri 10am – 6pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 6pm

Fulley 馥里 – Japanese-inspired Guangzhou Café with Aesthetic Desserts and Interior

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One of my favourite cafes that I discovered in Guangzhou this year has got to be Fulley. Occupying 3 storeys of a residential building, the café operates by a reservation-only system, where reservations can be made 1 week in advance on their WeChat mini program. I didn’t do sufficient research and made 1 wasted trip initially.

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You get to choose your table on a first-come, first-serve basis within your reservation time slot. I sat on the third floor, which has good natural lighting with window views of the greenery. The white walls, linen curtains, wooden chairs and tables, and concrete floor made a minimalistic interior with a serene atmosphere.

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Their menu boasted an array of Japanese-inspired desserts with pictures – the signature item is the Parfait which changed seasonally. When I went, I had the September – October Parfait Cup (CNY98, SGD17.9). It came with a card to describe the ingredients belonging to each layer of the intricate parfait. Mine featured fig and chestnut as the main fruits, paired with a long, curated list of ingredients – buckwheat crisps, chestnut rum gelato, chestnut puree, candied orange peel, Brittany shortbread, thousand silk cakes, fig sorbet, fig, wuyi rock tea milk jelly, black tea bergamot crisps, fig leaf butter, caramel chocolate chip, lemon jelly, red wine fig jam.

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I liked the balance of fruity and nutty flavours, creamy and crisp textures, and that it was only subtly sweet. I finished it easily on my own.

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The parfait set also came with a dainty cup of Jasmine Silver Needle Tea – premium chinese white tea made from the unopened buds of the tea plant and scented with fresh jasmine flowers. It was a good palate cleanser.

I was surprised to see a Durian Cheese Tart (CNY45, SGD 8.2) on the menu so I tried it – the overall durian and cheese flavours were not too heavy, and the texture was rather light like a souffle cheese tart.

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The Peach Cheese Tart (CNY55, SGD10.1) tasted as good as it looked. I sliced through its glossy pink surface into the layers of juicy peach flesh, peach compote and creamy cheese tart, all of which came together excellently.

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For a smaller, lighter snack, there was the Matcha Genmaicha Rice Mousse (CNY48, SGD8.8) – though I wished the matcha flavour could be more pronounced.

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There were no non-dairy milk options here for the Hojicha Latte (CNY38, SGD6.9) and Matcha Latte (CNY38, SGD 6.9). Both were sufficiently intense, without much sweeteners.

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I haven’t had such good quality desserts in a while and the entire experience truly reminded me of my time spent in cafes in Japan (even the people at the table next to mine were Japanese).

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广东省-广州市-越秀区-寺右新马路南二街12号3F

五羊邨站(A口步行4分钟)

3F, 12 Nan Er Jie, Si You Xin Ma Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, China

Wuyangcun Station (4 mins walk from Exit A)

12pm – 7pm Fri to Mon (by reservation only)

Kaa Room – Guangzhou Café Specialising in Filter Coffee

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Near the Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou is the district of Huadu, where I stopped by before heading to the airport to catch my flight back to Singapore. From the Huadu Plaza subway station, I hopped on a Didi to Kaa Room, a café on my list.

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Housed along a small street away from the main road, the café stood out from the surrounding older buildings, especially with its bright blue door. Stepping in, it felt as though I was transported to another city, as the atmosphere turned relaxing and peaceful.

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There was a group of customers sitting at the coffee bar, engaged in light-hearted conversations with the owner cum barista who brewed each cup of filter coffee from behind the wooden counter. The café serves only hand brewed coffee and a non-coffee beverage according to the season, with no pastries or bakes. The menu had a range of single origin coffee from Panama and Ethiopia, with prices ranging from CNY 58 to 158.

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As I was already caffeinated in the morning, I chose the non-coffee beverage – the Green Plum Cold Brew (CNY 45). I loved the balanced sweet-sour flavour profile, making a refreshing iced drink in the heat and humidity.

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After the group left, it was my turn to make casual conversation with the owner – we talked about the aesthetics of the café, about how the light and shadows moved in the café.

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The café was also pet-friendly – I sat across the table from the owner’s unabashed cat which perched itself on the chair, feeling less lonely.

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12pm – 6pm Thu to Fri (check their rednote for the exact schedule of the current month)

13-32 Meigui Road, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China 510813

Nearest station: Huadu Plaza Exit C

广东省 广州市 花都区 玫瑰路 13-32 号

花都广场站C口

Che Cha 迠茶 – Modern, Minimalistic Tea House and Café in Guangzhou

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Along a small lane of the touristy Beijing Road in the old town of Guangzhou was Che Cha, a tranquil tea house which specialises in traditional tea, kombucha and tea cocktails. The main tea house was on the first floor, divided into 3 areas with moody lighting and tones – the outer veranda, tea hall and private rooms.

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Heading up the stairs, you could find creative spaces on the second and third floor, housing art exhibitions. And finally, up on the fourth floor was where I found myself spending the rest of my time at the café.

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The white, minimalistic space featured their handmade objects, primarily white pieces of porcelain, lit by natural light from the windows. In the center, there was a kombucha bar displaying glass jars of kombucha undergoing fermentation, with a communal table right in front. Through a door, you could also step outside to sit in a backyard with bamboo chairs and wooden benches in the cooler season.

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I ordered a drink and tea snack on the first floor where the cashier was, and the owner kindly brought them up to the fourth floor where I wanted to sit.

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The Ginger Lemon Kombucha (RMB 48, SGD 8.8) I had was made with 2 rounds of fermentation – the first round with oolong and the second round with ginger lemon. I liked the subtle spiciness of ginger blended with the refreshing acidity of lemon, creating a bright, aromatic flavour that was refreshing in the heat and humidity. It also came with a small piece of peanut candy on the side for a sweet finish.

Alongside the kombucha, I ordered a Red Bean Yokan (RMB 28, SGD 5.2) which made a substantial snack.

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As I was the only customer that morning, I could indulge fully in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the tea house and gallery, leaving behind the touristy Beijing Road below and the busy CBD district where I was working at.

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10.30am to 8pm

广东省广州市越秀区北京街道北京路昌兴街7号

地铁1号线/2号线公园前地铁站出口

7 Changxing Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Nearest MRT Station: Gongyuanqian station

Jo & Dawson Tearoom, Seoul – Is their French Toast Worth the Hype?

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Touted as the café serving the best French toast in Seoul, Jo and Dawson came to life in the café abundant neighbourhood of Yeonnam-dong in 2021. It has been attracting a steady stream of customers, both locals and foreigners since then, and is known for having long queues.

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Last year, they expanded to a more spacious, dedicated “Tearoom” just a few blocks away from the main store. I happened to be in the area, looking for a café to kill some time before my lunch reservation, and decided to pop by to take a look. Surprisingly, there was no queue at all around 1pm, so I took the opportunity to grab a seat.

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Their Signature Classic French Toast (KRW10,000, SGD8.9) was good for 1 pax. The inside was extremely soft and moist with a custard-like texture, while the top was crusty and crisp with a layer of torched sugar and powder. On the side of the plate is a pinch of sea salt for dipping as you wish, and there is a layer of syrup at the bottom. Personally, I thought the sweet and savoury flavours were well-balanced, and I loved the overall texture.

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Apart from their French Toast, Jo & Dawson is also known for their teas – the tearoom here had a dedicated display of their flavoured tea boxes on sale. These classic teas (white tea, green tea, black tea, rooibos tea) are also available on their drink menu.

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Between their classic teas and milk teas, I chose the tearoom-exclusive Matcha Milk Tea (KRW8000, SGD7.1) since there was an option to change to oat milk (only for the matcha milk tea).  The milk tea was blended with matcha powder from Marukyu Koyamaen and Okinawa brown sugar. The consistency was thick and rich, though I would prefer the sweetness level to be slightly lower and the matcha notes to be more bitter and umami. Do note that there is a minimum 1 drink per pax policy.

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Overall, I thought my experience at Jo & Dawson Tearoom was above expectation, given that I’ve heard mixed reviews. However I might not say the same if I had to queue for it. I highly recommend to try heading to the Tearoom instead of the main store which is tighter in space with limited seats.

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Also, just heard that they will be opening a third outlet in Gwanghwamun end of this month – if you’re curious to check it out.

Jo & Dawson (Main Store)

1F, 31 Donggyo-ro 41-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

12pm – 9pm daily

Jo & Dawson Tearoom

3F,  24 Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

12pm – 9pm daily

Komunal – New Muslim-owned Café at Eunos with Homemade Bakes

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Occupying a small and cosy unit along the ground floor of the WIS@Changi building is Komunal, a café which I first came to know as a café with a cause. The café employs a neurodivergent crew, allowing them to hone skills such as barista skills while fostering inclusivity.

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On a clear morning, sunlight pours into the café for the first couple of hours from opening, and the café basks in strong golden hues which enliven it.    

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On my first 2 visits, the food menu was unfortunately limited, and desserts were out of stock, so I went with just coffee and scones. I had the White coffee ($6, +$1 for oat milk) made using the Vanta espresso blend from Colombia and Brazil. This came with tasting notes of milk chocolate, pecan, vanilla cream. I also tried the Tasting Flight ($9) which came with the White and an espresso shot.

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Their Scones ($6.5), served with housemade strawberry jam and rich clotted cream, were on the flaky side, somewhat different from the classic British scones which tend to be fluffy on the inside.

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There were 2 types of matcha on the menu – the Shinpeki ($8) and Sora ($7). I had the Shinpeki on my first visit as a latte, but I later found out from their updated menu that it should be drank pure as usucha instead. The Sora, a matcha latte ceremonial blend from Shizuoka, Japan, which I had on my subsequent visits, was more suitable to be drank as a latte, with a rich, creamy and smooth texture.

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When I went back to try the food menu, I had the Turkish Eggs ($7). The soft-boiled eggs, with runny yolks, were served on creamy yogurt, drizzled with chili oil, and accompanied with white bread. It was a simple and satisfying dish.

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To end, I had the recommended Tiramisu ($8.5) – made inhouse with layers of mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers brewed from their house blend, dusted with cocoa on top. It was rich and creamy, with a good ratio of mascarpone to sponge.

I loved that the café exuded warm, friendly, kind vibes, and I felt at ease whenever I dropped by.

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116 Changi Road, #01-11, Singapore 419718

Mon 8am – 4pm

Tue to Sun 8am – 6pm

POUT Rooftop Café – New Viral Cafe in Singapore’s CBD with Specialty Coffee and Bakes

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Quite possibly the hottest café in town now, POUT is a newly opened rooftop café perched on the 6th floor of the CMO building along Boat Quay. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator into the café, I felt like I got transported out of the hustle of the CBD into a vibey lounge in NYC.

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In the morning, sunlight filtered through the front windows, naturally lighting up the otherwise dimly lit interior of the café, and casting angular shadows. One of the highlights here is the view. Despite the café being located on a relatively low rooftop, the skyline view of some of our iconic landmarks – Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion – is still partially unobstructed. There are outdoor seats from where you can directly enjoy the view, though I prefer the much more comfortable and cooling indoor seating.

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Order directly from the front counter – the menu is compact with classic coffee options (Black and White), interesting iced drinks (Honeycomb Latte, Salted Caramel Mocha, Peanut Butter Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, Coconut Matcha Cloud), homemade desserts (Cheesecake, Tiramisu) and sweet and savoury pastries (Brown Sugar Kouign Amann, Sticky Cinnamon Bun with Pecan, Matcha Croissant, Matcha Cruffin, Smoked Chicken Pain Suisse).

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I had the Classic White ($5.90, +$1 for oat milk), using the Sunbird espresso blend which was recommended by the barista as a lighter option vs. the alternative option, Apache. A full-bodied medium roast blend of Ethiopia, Brazil and Laos beans, the coffee was indeed on the lighter side, with very mild acidity.

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I also tried their Matcha Latte ($6.90), which was just lightly sweetened.

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Though the viennoiseries in the glass display on the coffee counter were tempting, I decided to go for their homemade Brulee Basque Cheesecake ($9.90). The slice of cheesecake was brûléed with a layer of caramelized sugar and served with a dollop of yogurt on the side. The tartness of the yogurt helped balance the density and sweetness of the cake, which I felt could have a creamier, lava core.

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Apart from the atmosphere and coffee, I found the service here to be very welcoming, warm and friendly – a missing element in many cafes these days. I heard that queues are snaking on the weekday afternoons, so I highly recommend to visit early in the morning for the uninterrupted chill moment.

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50 South Bridge Rd, Unit 06-00, Singapore 058682

Mon – Fri 8am to 5pm

Simple Café  簡單。- Taiwanese-style Brunch and Cakes in NEWest

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Having previously moved out of NEWest mall to Crawford Lane, folks living in the west are lucky that Simple Café has now shifted back to their original location. They have retained their original concept and philosophy of keeping things “簡單”, or simple, with a minimalistic interior and homely atmosphere that would seemingly transport you to a café in Taiwan. There were also pet-friendly outdoor seats.

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Since its reopening, the menu has expanded to offer a wider variety of items, and changes on a seasonal basis. When I went, I had the Jul – Aug menu which has now been refreshed to their Sep – Oct menu. I noted that the prices were on the lower side for a typical café in Singapore.

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On the drinks menu were some unique drinks such as the Osmanthus Latte and Pineapple Topic, however I stuck with my usual Hot White ($5). If you’re a matcha fan, there are the Uji Matcha Latte, Dirty Macha and Matcha Lemonade for you to choose from.

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Amongst the dishes I tried, my top pick would be the Pink Guava Salad with Saba Fish ($14). The colourful and aesthetically pleasing dish came with a variety of vegetables such as pumpkin, kale, baby carrot, baby corn, baby tomatoes, broccoli. Surprisingly, the saba paired well with the pink guava sauce and partly masked its fishiness. It was overall a very well-balanced dish, with a suitable amount of vegetables, carbs, and protein.

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I also had the Sweet Potato Apple Soup with their Seasonal Sweet Potato Bread ($12). Interestingly, the soup had a combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The bread was a tad dry on its own but satisfying when dipped in the soup.  

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Sadly, I only had space for 1 dessert after having the salad and soup – I selected what looked to be the most interesting and pretty option – the Guava Cheesecake ($9). The cheesecake was light enough for me to finish it on my own, with the subtle sweetness and tanginess from the pink guava.  

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Despite its location in the far west, it was well worth the commute time for the unpretentious fare and vibes.

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1 West Coast Dr, #01-92, Singapore 128020

9am – 6pm Tue to Sun (closed on Mon)

Scandinavian Embassy – Best Scandinavian-style bakes in Amsterdam

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Combining specialty Scandinavian-style roasted coffee and Scandinavian-style pastries in a cosy, intimate setting, Scandinavian Embassy is one of the go-to cafes in Amsterdam. When I headed into the café at opening hour, it was already getting lively with patrons streaming in and out, either for takeout or dine in. The baristas were incredibly friendly, making small talk with customers without disrupting their own flow of work. There also seemed to be many regulars.

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I sat along the counter by the window of the front entrance, which overlooked the greenery of Sarphatipark. Sunlight illuminated the café through this very window, creating harsh, slant shadows in the café. Towards the back of the store you will find communal tables in a serene, courtyard setting. Even the interior design was so Scandinavian-like.

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For coffee, they bring in beans from various specialty Nordic coffee roasters such as The Coffee Collective, Koppi, Drop Coffee among others. I had the Flat White (EUR4.2, +0.5 for oat milk), which was made with the Espresso Vista Hermosa from Coffee Collective. This was a sweet and clean espresso with the aroma of hazelnut praline, pine nuts and plum.

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They had a small selection of freshly baked, homemade pastries from which I tried the Cardamom Bun (EUR4.6) and Cinnamon Bun (EUR4.4). They made me reminisce the numerous cardamom and cinnamon buns I had in Denmark and Sweden last year in a good way. I would say get both, but if you only have the space for 1, the cardamom bun would be the priority.

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A little down south is their second location at Europaplein 87, with a wider range of buns and pastries (e.g. almond bun), albeit with limited seating along the window and outdoor benches. I didn’t get to go, but would definitely put it in my itinerary if I ever return to the Netherlands.

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Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mon to Fri 8am – 4pm, Sat to Sun 9am – 4pm