Category Archives: Cafe

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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Dec 16 2023
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Moonchild – New Brunch Cafe at Jalan Besar from the team behind Atlas Coffee

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Moonchild is the newest child of the team behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Columbus Coffee Co, Supernova, Neptune, Apollo Coffee Bar and the defunct Lunar Coffee Brewers – all of which I’ve been with the exception of Columbus. With this context, it was hard not to come with a certain level of expectation.

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Given that the café opened recently with much attraction to crowds, I recommend avoiding the weekend if possible or to come as early as opening hour to snag a table without queueing. On a positive note, the café had both indoor and outdoor dining areas with plenty of seats, just that they seemed to limit the number of patrons during busy periods.  

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With a range of Filters, Espresso Coffees, Teas, Natural Wines and other drinks to choose from, the drinks menu was extensive to suit all palates. From my 3 occasions here, I got to try both espresso blends for my Flat White and Latte ($5.3 for regular 7oz, +$1.1 for oat) – Mr Cuddles (Bold & Strong) and Mr Brightside (Juicy & Bright). Both blends suited my preference and my coffees had a creamy, nutty aftertaste like peanut butter.

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The food menu was divided into The Morning Situation (9am – 3pm) which offers breakfast/brunch options and Midday to Close (11am onwards) which features lunch options like pastas, rice bowls and burgers.

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I had the Potato Stack Smoked Salmon Poached Eggs ($21.9) which is their version of the eggs royale. Instead of the usual English muffin or toast, fried potato stack was used and I liked biting into the layers of potato. The eggs were also of good quality, with flowy orange golden yolks.

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The Banana Bread with Espresso Mascarpone ($12.6) was huge, I couldn’t finish it on my own for breakfast. The brown creamy layer of espresso mascarpone was addictive and paired well with the fluffy bread. Salt was also sprinkled on top and created a sweet savoury combination, like salted caramel.

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If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the Butterscotch Rum Bananas French Toast ($22). The brioche was sufficiently but not overly moist and fluffy and came well together with the other elements of butterscotch rum bananas, vanilla ice cream and candied hazelnuts.

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If you are into thin pancakes (like McDonalds’ hot cakes), I would recommend the Hotcakes with Fresh Blueberry Compote and Raspberry Butter ($19.9), which were fluffy and light.

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From the lunch menu, I tried the Unagi Don ($20.9) and it was surprisingly good. The grilled unagi was tender and optimally sweet, and was served with ikura, burnt buttered corn, furikake, nori, and Japanese rice.

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I had read reviews recommending the Really Nice Mushrooms on Toast ($19.5) which comes with grilled mushrooms, spinach, pickled shallots, creamy mushroom sauce, sourdough crumb, and 2 poached eggs. However, my friend and I found the mushrooms too salty and I thought the dish could have more depth.

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Apart from the slight disappointment with the mushrooms and toast, the other dishes left me well-fed and satisfied. With other promising and raved-about items on their menu, Moonchild could be that weekend brunch spot that is perpetually packed, just like its sister cafes.

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351 Jalan Besar, #01-01, Singapore 208988

Tues to Sat 9am – 10pm

Sun 9am – 7pm

Closed on Mon

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Sep 30 2023
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Cafe, Food, Seoul, South Korea

H Coffee Roasters, Seochon (에이치커피 로스터스 서촌점)

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Established in 2014, H Coffee Roasters has opened their 2nd outlet in Seoul in February this year in the peaceful and charming neighbourhood of Seochon, in addition to their flagship in Seongsu.

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Staying in theme with the surrounding architectural landscape, the café is situated in a hanok house, with an interesting harmony of traditional elements (such as exposed wooden beams) and modern furnishings. I loved that the café is situated in a quiet, hidden corner off the main road in Seochon – I benefited from an undisturbed weekday morning having the entire space to myself.

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The menu is simple and divided into Black, White and Non-Coffee options. There may also be special drinks on a seasonal basis. I ordered the Oat Latte (KRW5500, SGD5.50) and found out that Oatside has also become a popular oat milk brand in Korea alongside Oatly.

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The espresso I had was pulled from their Winter blend with a mix of beans from Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil, and with tasting notes of Strawberry, Raspberry, Sugar Cane and Creamy. It was a very light roast, much to my preference, and the texture was indeed creamy and smooth. This was easily one of my favourite cups of caffeine I’ve had.   

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As a pairing to my drink, I had the Banana Bread (KRW6000, SGD6.06) which came with a dollop of cream. Thankfully, it was still sufficiently moist and soft despite being reheated in their mini oven.

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I recommend getting the seat by the marble counter by the window which overlooks their tiny hanok backyard, from where I snuggled in the cosiness of the space while sipping coffee and staring into space. This café is for the true coffee lovers.

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104 Nuha-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 종로구 필운대로5가길 11-6 에이치커피로스터스 서촌)

Mon to Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat to Sun 11am – 7pm

Jun 02 2023
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Cafe, Food, Johor Bahru

Keijometo

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Probably one of the most visited cafés by Singaporeans in JB in the past year or so, Keijometo is an industrial-themed café and gallery serving Japanese dishes and drinks. The Grab ride from JB Sentral took just about 15 mins.

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Surrounded with stone and gravel landscaping details and concrete tile-paved paths, the tall concrete café is designed like an art exhibition space with mismatched furniture. Though we did not manage to get to the café when it opened at 11am, we were lucky enough to score the empty seats by the window around 11.30am. Shortly after we were seated, a queue started to form.

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Ordering is done via a QR code while payment can be made by cash or card. In view of the weather, we wanted a refreshing drink and tried the Watermelon Matcha Iced Latte (RM14, SGD4.10).  A pity that the watermelon overpowered the matcha – it felt like watermelon juice for the most part of it, despite the even pink-green visuals.

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As a side, we had one of the most popular items here, the Mentaiko Tamago Sando (RM20, SGD5.90). Three huge chunks of deep-fried tamago were each sandwiched between 2 pieces of fluffy white toast and topped off with a generous serving of aburi mentaiko sauce. This was sinfully tasty, but I recommend sharing it between 2 pax so it does not get overwhelming.

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The Salmon Ochazuke (RM30, SGD8.80) was quite a steal for its price, featuring 2 pieces of grilled onigiri with a slab of pan-fried salmon and hot green tea on the side to steep the rice in. The salmon was not the most tender or moist I’ve had, but it was overall a comforting dish and I loved that the tea helped to ease the greasiness of the sando.

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We ordered the Hojicha Burnt Cheesecake (RM21, SGD6.20) as it sounded promising. Though it was not quite burnt on the exterior, the interior was rich and not overly sweet. A decent end to our brunch.

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Before coming, I heard mixed reviews and did not expect much but I left pretty satisfied from the ambience, service and food.

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3, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Tues – Sun 11am to 7pm

May 26 2023
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Cafe, Seoul, South Korea, Travel

Yeonhui Espresso Bar 연희에스프레소바

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My first café visit during my Korea spring trip was to Yeonhui Espresso Bar (opened September 2022), which as its name suggests, is situated in the Yeonhui-dong neighbourhood. Ever since covid eased out, this area has flourished with several cafes and started gaining traction – but it remains pretty much unvisited by tourists which is why I love hanging out here.

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Perched on the second floor of a small shophouse, the café features a curved espresso bar counter in a pretty shade of nude pink with windows lined on all sides permitting the space to be bathed in sunlight. With a very limited indoor area, the seats are all outdoors, perfect for the moderate spring weather.

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Here’s how to order: pick up a piece of order sheet at the counter and indicate your order with a crayon, then pass it to the barista. You may also add in special requests if you would like. The menu is divided into 2 parts – the first featuring various coffee drinks innovated by the café, such as their Yeonhui Espresso (KRW3600, SGD3.60) which features homemade orange jam and syrup with espresso and cream. The second part is a list of the conventional types of coffee such as Americano and Flat White. There is also an option to substitute to oat milk at KRW1000 (SGD$1).

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On my first visit, I had the Oat Espresso (KRW3000, SGD3.06) which had a shot of espresso, sugar, oat milk and cocoa powder added to it. This was a small glass of coffee which explains the price. I liked the oat + espresso ratio and combination but would request for no sugar if I ordered it again.

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As I was staying in the area, I conveniently made a second trip down where I had the Crunky Gege (pronounced je-je) (KRW4000, SGD4.08), which was a relatively new creation added to the menu. It is a small cup of Strapazzato, which is a type of coffee originating from Naples, featuring espresso with sugar, cocoa powder and cream stirred together. Of course, the bar of crunky chocolate topped on the cup is a Korean addition. This was akin to a sweet, smooth and creamy espresso-flavoured emulsion. Side note that I loved their cute coffee cup design.

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There was just something very healing from sipping coffee while chasing light and shadows, watching the neighbourhood in action, unintentionally eavesdropping on conversations unfolding and thinking about nothing from my seat in the outdoor terrace.

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Weekdays 8.30am – 5pm, Weekends 9am – 5pm

128-10 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

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