Category Archives: Cafe

Aug 31 2024
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Cafe, Copenhagen, Denmark, Food, Travel

Kafeteria SMK – Aesthetic Museum Café Known for Pancakes and Pastries in Copenhagen

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Founded by Frederik Bille Brahe (who also owns Atelier September and Apollo Bar in Copenhagen), Kafeteria SMK is a café situated within the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the first agenda on my itinerary after offloading my luggage at the hotel.

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With extremely high ceilings and large glass windows on one side overlooking the lush greenery of the museum’s main entrance, the space is bright, wide and airy. The aesthetics matched that of the art museum and was indeed very Scandinavian.

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After grabbing the window seat, I headed to the counter where I had a hard time choosing from the mains menu and especially from the display of pastries.

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As per my prior research, their pancakes were seemingly popular so I went for the Buttermilk Pancakes with Mascarpone and Maple Syrup (135 DKK, SGD26). These were on the thick and denser side, well-accompanied with a generous layer of maple syrup at the base and mascarpone and jam at the top. It can however get too heavy halfway through.

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From the selection of pastries, I had the Cardamom Bun (45 DKK, SGD8.7) which was fluffy and soft on the inside, and also the Chocolate Cake (45 DKK, SGD8.7) which was a tad dry but still gobbled up thanks to the smooth cream and nut butter on top.

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To balance the heavy amount of carb and sugar, I also got some greens – the Green Asparagus with Stracciatella, Rye, Mustard and Ramson (145 DKK, SGD28). It was surprisingly very tasty – the crisps were nutty and enhanced the texture of the dish, while the stracciatella cheese and mustard added flavour to the asparagus without overpowering it. The quality of the rye bread was also great.

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The café is accessible to all without the need for reservations or museum tickets, but I highly recommend exploring the museum before/after a meal at the café – as the largest art museum in Copenhagen, it houses a large collection of visual art from a time as old as the sixteenth century to modern times.

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Please do not be alarmed by the prices – they are on par with the cost of living in Denmark.

Statens Museum for Kunst, 48-50, Sølvgade, 1350 København, Denmark

Tues to Sun 10am – 6pm

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Aug 24 2024
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Cafe, Food

butter tgt – New Café in Tanjong Pagar with Homemade Bakes

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The newest kid on the block in Tanjong Pagar is butter tgt, a new venture by home baker @youkneadcakes on Instagram. Somehow “smooth like butter” always plays in my head whenever I think of butter…

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I have already been there thrice – for the peaceful, quiet me-time in the morning, for my new-found favourite corner spot where the low wooden round table is. That time and space is perfect for reading while sipping coffee and munching on bread, before the crowd starts streaming in and the chatter from conversations starts to fill the space especially on weekends.

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The menu here features a range of breakfast items such as toasts and granola, together with their rotational bakes displayed in a glass counter at the cashier.

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On my visits, I tried their White ($6, +$1 for oat milk) and Mocha ($7, +$1 for oat milk). They use their house blend, the Butter Blend (Ethiopia & Tanzania), which has notes of dark berries and nutty chocolates. I thoroughly enjoyed the coffees which were not too heavy on the palate.

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For non-coffee options, there are the Matcha latte ($8) made with kiku ceremonial matcha by Niko Neko Matcha and Hot Chocolate ($7.5) made with the Alto Beni by Fossa Chocolate, with caramel, woody, browned fruit notes.

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From the food menu, I’ve had the Avocado Toast ($12) – a simple slice of toasted sourdough, with avocado and house made garlic butter. For something more substantial and savoury, try the Grilled Cheese ($16) sandwich made with 3 types of cheeses (gouda, mozzarella, cheddar) and which also comes with a thick tomato soup on the side.

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Though the café is famed for their Madeleines (set of 3 for $7.5, baked to order with 15 mins wait), I unfortunately have had better ones in Singapore so I would skip it if I were to come again.

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On the other hand, the Banana Bread ($6) which was recommended to us had the right balance of moisture and fluffiness while not being overly sweet, so it turned out to be one of my favourite items. The Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($5.8) was also a sinful treat which I relished.

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Despite the simple, no-frills food and drinks, I had good experiences overall thanks to the unpretentious concept, cozy ambiance and friendly hospitality.

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Wed to Mon 8.30am – 5pm

76A Duxton Road, 2nd floor, Singapore 089535

Aug 10 2024
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Big Short Coffee – New Coffee Bar in Joo Chiat with Creative Specialty Drinks

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Just last week, I popped by the new Big Short Coffee in Joo Chiat – this specialty coffee bar serves innovative coffee specialty drinks by experimenting with techniques from molecular gastronomy, cocktail mixing, science labs and ingredients not normally used in coffee.

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The creative drinks rotate on a seasonal basis and they are currently serving drinks from their Chapter 1: summer 2024 menu.

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I tried 4 drinks from the summer menu. My first cup which also turned out to be my favourite was the Happy Valley Punch ($8.5). The highlight of this drink was the clear, clarified coconut milk, made using a milk clarification technique commonly used for cocktails. The natural sweetness of the coconut milk striked a balance with the acidity of blood orange and bergamot, and together with early grey and a shot of their own Big Short Blend espresso (50/50 brazil & Columbia blend natural process), made a refreshing drink with a subtle sweet tone.

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The house blend espresso (a 50-50 blend of Brazil and Columbia naturally processed beans) has a lighter roasting style to accentuate the natural flavour and sweetness of the beans. It is also used in the normal coffees (white, black, mocha etc.) that are the mainstays of the menu.

Young Harry ($8) is a combination of a cold brew with jasmine green tea and raw fresh coconut water topped with roasted pistachio cream and corn flowers. This was much less sweet, with bitter tones from the tea.

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Those who enjoy nutty flavours will like the Bee’s Knees ($8) – I loved the addition of roasted pine nuts in it. The unexpected combination with cold brew, fresh strawberry puree, coastal wildflower rare honey (from Western Australia) and fresh honeycomb was pleasantly unique.

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Inspired by the coffee slushy the owner tried in Italy, the team recreated their own version, called the Crema Al Caffe ($8). Their house espresso blend is churned in the slushy machine with fresh and condensed milk, brown sugar and vanilla bean, resulting in a smooth and creamy emulsion. The slushy is then topped with almond and hazelnut praline, providing an added crunchy texture and nutty dimension to the sweet treat.

Work is going on behind the scenes by the R&D team to launch the Chapter 2: autumn 2024 menu and I honestly can’t wait to be back for that.

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8am – 5pm Wed to Mon (closed on Tues)

2 Fowlie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 428505

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Jul 13 2024
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Cafe, Food, South Korea, Suwon

Vivre Sa Vie (비브르 사비) – White and Minimal Cafe near Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

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On a clear autumn morning filled with gusts that signalled the transition to winter, I did a day trip out from Seoul to Suwon for the first time. The journey by the subway was convenient and fuss free. It took me slightly less than an hour and a half to get to Suwon station. From the main station, I then hopped on a bus which brought me to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

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Before attempting the fortress hike, I had planned to visit Vivre Sa Vie, a café with my kind of white and minimal aesthetics. The café was run by just a kind and friendly middle-aged lady who came slightly past opening hour and was very apologetic that I waited past 10am outside the café, exposed to the chilling winds.  

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With large glass windows along one side of the café, the café was filled with natural light and I got a clear view of the fortress walls from inside. The white walls and ceiling contrasted with the wooden and rattan furniture, while props like books and plants spruced up the small and modest space.

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From the range of drinks and desserts on the menu, I ordered the Homemade Apple Cinnamon Tea (KRW6500) to warm myself up, along with a Matcha Terrine (KRW5,500). The tea came with an aesthetic presentation, topped with slices of apple and a small uncut apple. I recommend to several rounds of hot water as you drink it as it was very sweet.

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Meanwhile, the Matcha Terrine was rich and dense, with a substantial bitterness of matcha that helped balance the sweetness from the tea. I loved the overall attention to detail, as can be seen from the style of plating and presentation.

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As the owner put on her Korean autumn playlist through the speakers, I indulged in the sentiments of the season in the cosiness of the café, while not having to be conscious of others as I was the only customer on that early weekday morning. This is that one café where you can rest your mind and body.

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193-231 Yeonmu-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, South Korea

Mon, Wed to Fri 10am – 6pm (closed on Tues)

Sat to Sun 10am – 7pm

Jun 30 2024
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Cafe, Food, Japan, Kamakura

Breeze Bird Café & Bakery, Japan – Best Breakfast and Brunch Spot in Kamakura

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For my day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo, I had planned to have breakfast at Breeze Bird Café & Bakery, neatly hidden behind the Wadazuka station along the Enoden line. While being a popular spot among the locals, it seemed to be less well known among tourists and so I wanted to take the chance to review it.

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Being the first customer to arrive at their opening hour of 8am, no less, I went straight for the outdoor terrace seats. There were 3 wooden tables with beige white sofa seats overlooking a well-kept backyard/garden, and the best part was the overhead tarp for shade and shelter from the direct sun. Since it was spring, the weather was moderate and breezy especially in the morning, making the terrace the ideal spot for breakfast.

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In addition to a daily range of bread and pastries available at the counter, the breakfast menu has 2 morning sets to pick from. I had the Morning Set A (JPY2,250), which came with 2 plates. The bigger plate was a colourful Miura and Kamakura vegetable salad with homemade sausage, slices of raw fish, and a small soup on the side, while the smaller plate was akin to an eggs benedict, with poached egg and mushrooms topped on homemade bread.

I also ordered coffee, but unfortunately there were no non-dairy milk options here.

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The morning set was amazing, in terms of both portion and quality, for its price point. Unlike American or Greek salads overly doused with fat-laden sauces, the salad tasted fresh, organic and delectable without much dressing. I was also surprised to find slices of quality raw fish, together with the juicy homemade sausage in the salad. For someone who avoids processed food including hot dogs, this was one of the healthiest yet good tasting sausage I had.

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As for the egg dish, it was equally or even better. The bread used was fluffy and soaked up a good amount of the mushroom sauce such that it felt like a savoury brioche French toast. I can’t point out what exactly the sauce was made of, but it was many times better than the usual hollandaise sauce we get with an eggs benedict.

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I was stuffed but could not bring myself to skip their seasonal spring-only dessert. This aesthetically pleasing Sakura-themed dessert was essentially milk ice cream wrapped in a chewy layer of mochi, topped with peach sauce and amaretto infused milk sauce. The mochi was very soft, while the ice cream was light enough for breakfast.

Thanks to the fresh, quality ingredients of the dishes, huge portions, a relaxed and lovely ambiance and homely service, this was my favourite breakfast/brunch café in this trip.

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3 Chome-4-5 Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0014, Japan (神奈川県 鎌倉市由比ガ浜三丁目4-5)

Nearest station: JR Yokosuka Line, Enoden Wadazuka Station, Fujisawa Exit. Or 12 min walk from Kamakura Station

Breakfast 8am – 10am, Lunch 11am – 3.30pm, Dinner 5.30pm – 11pm

Closed on Tues, 2nd and 4th Weds, and other irregular holidays

May 17 2024
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Cafe, Food, Japan, Tokyo, Travel

Ogawa Coffee Laboratory, Tokyo – Specialty Coffee and Breakfast from Kyoto

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Hailing from Kyoto, the long-established coffee roaster expanded to Tokyo with its first flagship in Sakurashinmachi 4 years ago. Being one of the few cafes in Tokyo which open as early as 7am, I visited the café for an early morning breakfast and coffee fix.

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I loved how the spacious café boasted a modern concrete industrial look with muted tones, with floor to ceiling windows permitting lots of exposure to natural light. The interior design also featured details such as old paving stones that were used in Kyoto’s tramways.

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Before settling down, orders must first be placed at the counter.

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From the morning menu (served 7 – 11am), I had the Charcoal Grilled Toast with Avocado and Lime (JPY1,600, SGD13.8). It came with a choice of Pain de Mie or Whole Grain bread for the toast – I would typically have whole grain as a healthier choice but with the excuse of being on vacation, I went for the pain de mie. After being charcoal grilled, it had a crisp outer layer while retaining its soft, fluffy inner layer. As simple as a dish it was (what some people will claim to be something they can easily whip out at home but never do so), the avocado toast was satisfying.

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The toast set included a choice of drink, so I had a hot oat milk Latte made from the House Blend Kyoto. It was a well-balanced coffee with a smooth mouthfeel with tasting notes of dried fruit – a daily coffee that was very drinkable.

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Their list of signature coffees (created by their baristas) was tempting, so I added on another drink – the Bright Sense (JPY1,100, SGD9.5). The barista served the single origin coffee in a fancy glass to my table, where she then delicately added the fluffy milk foam. The milk foam made a good balance with the passion fruit-like acidity characteristic of the Kenya Gatuyaini beans.

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As a sweet treat, I had the Whole Grain Scone with Seasonal Confiture and Tonka Bean-Flavoured Buttercream (JPY1,400, SGD12.1) which was a relatively new item on the menu. Being whole grain in nature, the scone felt less doughy and buttery than the usual scone – in a good way.

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With over 21 variety of coffee beans on hand and separate lunch and dinner menus with extensive food choices, I would love to pay another visit.

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3 Chome-23-8 Sakurashinmachi, Escalier 1F, Shinmachi Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0014, Japan

7am – 10pm daily

Nearest station: Sakura-shimmachi North Exit (~4 mins walk)

May 01 2024
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Bangkok, Cafe, Food

Anonymous Coffee, Bangkok – Outstanding Coffee in an Industrial Geometrical Building

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Anonymous Coffee was one of my best finds for coffee from my recent Bangkok trip. As it was not located near any BTS subway station, I hitched a Grab bike which conveniently brought me to this relatively quieter area where the café was situated.

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I couldn’t help but mesmerize at the geometrical, industrial structure of the café as I crossed the outdoor yard, where a few patrons were enjoying their coffees peacefully despite the blazing heat. Adorned with camping chairs and hanging light bulbs, it also made for a good photo spot.

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I grabbed a seat indoors where I could catch the baristas in action and still bask in some natural light while taking advantage of the aircon. The café specializes in single origin roasts with beans imported from various regions.

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I had the Flat White – single origin espresso with milk (THB140, SGD5.13), which tasted so much like a light roast that I was surprised when I found out it was a medium roast. The coffee had a creamy texture and was very easy to drink with no bitter or sour aftertaste. There were also some signature drinks on the menu which caught my eye, such as the Yuzu Garden (THB6.60) which seemed to be a yuzu and elderflower drink with single origin espresso, and Sally O’ Brien (THB150, SGD5.50), a single origin cold brew with house espresso syrup and fresh cream.

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The only available pastry/dessert when I went was the Banana Bread (THB85, SGD3.12), so I had one together with my coffee. Thankfully, it was not as dry as I expected it to be.

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I had a great time as a solo patron – the baristas were friendly and amiable, the patrons seemed to be serious coffee drinkers, and the ambiance made me forget about the busyness of life for a moment.

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149 Rimtangrodfai Sai Peat-Riu Road, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

8.30am -5.30pm daily

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Feb 17 2024
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Cafe, Food, Seoul, South Korea, Travel

OOJ Coffee Club, Seoul (공공재 커피 클럽) – White Aesthetic Café in Anguk, Specialising in Coffee and Tiramisu

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The café scene in Anguk, where Bukchon Hanok Village is, is highly competitive with big names like Onion, Café Layered and London Bagel Museum attracting not just locals but foreign tourists increasingly. Not too far from these cafes is OOJ Coffee Club, which specialises in specialty coffee, drinks and tiramisu.

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You can see why I had this café on my go-to list from the interior itself – it seemed to be effortlessly designed and set up to be minimal, with a focus on creating a white and airy space that becomes even more inviting when naturally lit with the morning sun. I found my favourite spot in the café, where the all-white camping table and camping chairs were and thought to myself to save it as an interior design inspiration for my future home.

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I browsed through the menu, which was divided into 3 sections – Espresso base coffees (no filter here), non-coffee, and desserts.

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Though I was highly tempted to get their specialty non-coffee drinks such as their Burning Ceylon Tea (KRW5,500) and Lime Vanilla Ade (KRW6,500), it was still early in the morning which means i was in 100% the mood for coffee.

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I had the Oatly Latte (KRW6,000), which was slightly too bitter and acidic for me.

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Thankfully, this was balanced out with the desserts. I came 1 week too late for the winter special which was the Strawberry Mascarpone Tiramisu (KRW9,500), so I had to go with my second choice which was the spring special – Banana Brulee Tiramisu (KRW8,500). The tiramisu base (sponge and cream) was the same for all flavours but the toppings varied. Mine was topped with a banana that was sliced and bruleed. Unlike a lot of desserts in Korea, this was subtly sweet and not overly saccharine.

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It was a huge slice, and admittedly I had to takeaway half of it to continue with the rest of my café hopping journey that day. The one thing I appreciate in Korea is how they would pack anything for you in nice boxes with cutlery and napkins.

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10am – 9pm daily

35 Yoonboseon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

Nearest station: Anguk Station Exit 1

대한민국 서울특별시 종로구 윤보선길 35

Jan 01 2024
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Cafe, Food, Seoul, South Korea, Travel

Nest, Seoul – Rooftop Tea Café beside Tosokchon Samgyetang with View of Bukhansan

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A few strides away from the ever-bustling Tosokchon Samgyetang (famous ginseng chicken soup) was a nondescript building which houses a tea café, Nest. From the main entrance of the building facing the main road, take the lift to the 5th floor and you would expect to see the café right in front as you step out.

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Minimalistic in design, the café boasted exposed ceilings, a mix of wooden brown and white chairs and tables and silver counters and display cabinets. Large window panels lined the café and provided patrons a view of the neighbouring Seochon Hanok Village with Bukhansan (Mount Bukhan) in the background.

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Towards the far end of the café, there was a retail corner that is delicately designed like a showroom, where you can get things like condiments, trays or even postcards.

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The café operated on a self-service basis, where ordering and picking up of food was done at the counter. Specialising in tea, the menu had various teas, both caffeinated and caffeine-free which I had a hard time choosing from. Eventually, I went for the Apple Vitamin (KRW5,500 for hot, KRW6,000 for iced). The combination of hibiscus, rose hip, apple and orange made a naturally sweet fruity tea with a slight tartness. If you’re into fruit teas, this would make a great choice.

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Food-wise, the dishes on the menu were on the healthier side, with plates like a humus salad and basil chicken sandwich. I chose the most interesting sounding one, which was the Burrata Pea Croissant (KRW14,000). It came with a croissant with ham and cheese filling, and burrata cheese, peas and a grated carrot salad on the side. The flavours were clean and healthy tasting – I had suspicions about the peas at first but they were mildly sweet and went well with the burrata. The price point was also wallet-friendly, considering there was a whole burrata.

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For dessert, I picked the Black Sesame Roll (KRW8,000) as a black sesame fan. I enjoyed the mild black sesame flavours of the chiffon and light cream, however I found the chiffon portion slightly dry.

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If you’re feeling peckish from touring Gyeongbokgung or in need of drinks after a heavy lunch nearby, this is a hidden café, not crowded with tourists, that you could visit.

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21 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul대한민국 서울특별시 종로구 자하문로 21 5층

11am to 10pm daily

Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung station Exit 2

Dec 25 2023
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Cafe, Food, Seoul, South Korea, Travel

Nachbar Coffee House, Seoul (나흐바)

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Specialising in filter coffee, Nachbar is a small café situated in Seochon (one of my favourite neighbourhoods!) in Seoul. I first went in spring and made a return visit in autumn – that fact on its own is a big testament to how much I liked the space and coffee.

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In spring, the cherry blossom tree right next to the café creates a picturesque little scenery and casts nice shadows on the white façade of the café. The large open windows also allow for natural light to illuminate the space and patrons to people-watch while sipping their coffees. In the café, the mood was bright and cheery.

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At the moment, the café is owned and solely operated by its owner, a single man show. (So waiting time might be longer if it’s a full house). He gathers a small range of filter coffee beans each time and it changes on a regular basis. The prices also differ according to each type of bean. Since the café started as a filter coffee specialty bar, I had chosen the Honduras Reyes from Goro Coffee Roasters on my first visit. I enjoyed the brew which came tasting notes of lavender, peach, and brown sugar. There was a certain level of tartness and acidity which was not overpowering for me.

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In autumn, a long carpet was rolled out in the cafe and the atmosphere became cosier, with people huddling in their winter jackets and coats. This time, I noticed the owner brought in an oat milk option so I had the Latte (KRW5500, + 500 for oat). The latte was a light roast with tanginess and tartness.

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I also found out that the owner recently started selling homemade Cinnamon Rolls (KRW5000 each) so I got one of it. The outer layers had a slight crisp while the inner layers were slightly fluffy and sufficiently (but not overly) sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. It would have been even better if the bread was softer and fluffier, with some cream cheese spread on top.

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As I indulged in my coffee and pastry, I found it amazing how the same space could have a different mood and atmosphere as the seasons change.

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42 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 대한민국 서울특별시 종로구 필운대로 42

11am – 7pm daily (check their Instagram before going!)

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