Lean and Rich Bakery – Minimalistic Bakery Café in UE Square with Northern European Bread and Pastries

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Helmed by a Korean baker from the famed Tartine Bakery in Seoul, Lean and Rich Bakery opened in UE Square last year as a Northern European, minimalistic style bakery. The bakery café occupies a modest space on the first floor of UE Square, with a bold red branding for their name/logo and storefront. The interior is kept minimal with cement floors, exposed ceilings and simple wooden tables and stools.

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On the weekends, the indoor area got filled up quickly about an hour into their opening and patrons started to take up seats in the outdoor area where more tables were placed.

“Lean and Rich” refers to the type of dough used in the menu items. Lean dough, made with basic ingredients, is used to bake bread such as their signature sourdough and focaccia; Rich dough, made with additional ingredients like eggs, butter, sugar and milk, is used in the pastries.

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From the “Rich” menu, I tried both the Vanilla ($7) and Pistachio ($7). My pick would be the Vanilla – I thought the smooth and creamy vanilla filling with vanilla beans paired better with the flaky and buttery croissant layers. On the other hand, I felt that the Pistachio custard was a tad too sweet and lacked the distinct nuttiness I was expecting.

For drinks, I tried the Vanilla Bean Latte ($7), Vanilla Bean Milk ($5.5), White ($5.7, +$1 for oat milk) and Matcha Latte ($7). The vanilla drinks and matcha latte were too sweet for my liking and I would stick with the White.

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Post-opening, the café also launched breakfast/brunch dishes. Reminiscent of the Scandinavian breakfast was the Morning Platter ($11) which came with sourdough, soft-boiled egg, cheese, whipped butter and fig jam. I enjoyed the simple yet classic dish.

The Apple and Brie ($12) was a good surprise – I particularly liked the balance between the subtly sweet apple, candied pecan and honey and the savoury brie cheese, wild rocket and pastry layers. The mix of textures was also commendable.                                                                  

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Perhaps the most luxurious item on the menu, the Caponata and Burrata ($21) came with sourdough, a goulash-like mixture of eggplant, tomato, onion, celery, pine nuts, and burrata cheese. The burrata unveiled a soft and creamy filling, which when spread on the vegetables topped on the crispy, toasted sourdough, made a scrumptious open-faced sandwich.

With the emphasis and focus on serving consistently quality bread and pastries, I could see why the bakery gets crowded right from the early morning.

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81 Clemenceau Ave, UE Square, #01-14, Singapore 239917

Tues to Fri 8.30am – 5pm

Sat and Sun 8.30am – 4pm

3 Indoor Spots to Watch the Snow in Seoul

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On my most recent winter trip in Korea, I had planned to explore some indoor places to watch the snowfall if I got lucky. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Seoul experienced heavy snowfall during the last few days of January due to a cold wave, leading to an all-white Lunar New Year.

  1. 1in1jan Café (1인1잔)
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Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)has been on my list of places to visit in Seoul for years and, NGL, I was in a dismay that it got extremely popular in the past couple of years with foreigners for its iconic café, 1in1jan. The café is probably the sole reason why most people are flocking to the hanok village nowadays, which is somewhat obscurely located in Seoul. Its 5-storey building, with a basement and rooftop, is situated advantageously with a view that overlooks the hanok village with Bukhansan in the backdrop.

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On the very day of heavy snowfall in Seoul, I was joined by many other locals and tourists in the queue for the 4th floor of the café, where you can order a full set meal.

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I had the Seasoned Chicken Leg Steak which was well-marinated with sriracha mayonnaise, with some sides of potato, roasted baby cabbage, paprika pickle, mini salad & bread. The set meal also came with a drink of my choice, which was the refreshing Omija ade.

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Despite the long wait and hustling with other patrons, the panoramic views were worth it.

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534 Yeonseo-ro, Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong District, Seoul, South Korea 서울 은평구 연서로 534

Tues to Sun

  • Bakery & Coffee on 1st and 2nd Floor –  1인1잔(카페) – 10am – 9.30pm
  • Showroom and Café on 3rd Floor  – 1인 karimoku(쇼룸, 카페) – 10am – 8pm
  • Brunch Café on 4th and 5th Floor – 1인1상(한상차림) – 11am – 7.30pm
  • Rooftop Garden on 6th Floor – 10am – 9.30pm

2. The Forest Chosochaekbang (인왕산 더숲 초소책방)

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    After my leisurely brunch at Eunpyeong Hanok Village, I made my way via 2 local buses to Buam-dong. From the nearest bus stop, I trekked about 20 minutes to a book café nestled at the base of Inwangsan. Amidst the heavy snow, the climbing the hilly slopes was not an easy feat and felt closer to a hike instead. Thankfully there were many other people heading to and fro the café which was encouraging, and just like 1in1jan, the book café was packed with both hikers who were taking a respite and café-goers who visited deliberately for the space/view/atmosphere.

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    The book café features 2 storeys overlooking the city and has plenty of seats, both indoor and outdoor. Since it was the peak of winter, there were plastic globes in the outdoor section to keep the cold winds and snow away.   

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    A full-fledge bakery and bookstore were parked within the 1st floor of the café, from where I browsed the books, got caught in a dilemma over what to order and finally ordered and enjoyed a slice of Pumpkin cheesecake. I would love to visit again in fall, when the backdrop would be colorful.

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    172 Inwangsan-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea 종로구 인왕산로 172, Seoul, Korea

    8am – 9pm daily

    3. Kangaroo Wine Bar (캥거루)

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      As the snow started to subside, I made my way to lower ground in search of Kangaroo wine bar located in Seochon Hanok Village. Right as you step into the modern wine bar, you will see Bugaksan and the hanok village spread out under it. I highly recommend taking the high counter seats for the unobstructed view.

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      The concept of the wine bar was very casual – you pick your drinks and snacks from this area which was designed like a mini-mart, and head over to the counter for payment. There was also a proper food menu at the counter from which you can order from, featuring staples such as pasta and meat pies. Since it was compulsory to order 1 drink per person, I had a bottle of alcohol-free Mojito, along with a Pineapple Granita. Perhaps not a very good choice since I was already freezing from the cold.

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      3F 18-13, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea 종로구 체부동 120-14 3F

      Tues to Sun 3pm – 11pm

      Path – Minimalist Korean Café with Adorable Bakes in Chiang Mai

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      Located in the Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai, about 30-40 mins away by car from the Old Town, is Path. The café is known to be owned by a Korean family who settled down in Chiang Mai and is thus well visited by many Koreans.

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      I had to rely on Grabcar to take me to the remote area where the café was housed in a large white house. It seemed to be the only café housed amongst the neighbouring residential bungalows with large front and backyards. Even my Grab driver was surprised to see a café there.

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      The spacious, white and minimalistic café had large windows which overlook the yard/garden where visitors were posing for photos, and which allowed plentiful sunlight to fill the interior.

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      At the corner was the ordering counter where an array of bakes was displayed on a wooden table – these are mostly the café’s mainstay items, such as cookies, canelés, scones and madeleines. On the side is a glass display cum refrigerator with season limited and rotational cakes, designed cutely and reminiscent of desserts you could find in a Korean café.

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      For drinks, I ordered the Dalgona Latte (THB100), which was a modified version of the original trending homemade drink. It was essentially an iced latte topped with honeycomb which gradually melted, resulting in a mildly sweetened coffee.

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      From the cake display, I chose the Mont Blanc and the Apple Lemon Mousse Cake (THB150). There were also cakes with puppy and Christmas tree designs but I found them too cutesy for my taste. While I found the Mont Blanc rather ordinary, the Apple Lemon Mousse Cake stood out with both its visuals and taste. The white lemon mousse layer was shaped like an apple, topped on apple compote and an almond crumble cookie. Upon slicing it, there was more apple compote hidden within the mousse. Though I wished the mousse could be more citrusy and the crumble softer, the mousse and compote paired well.

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      Before you fit this café into your itinerary, please take note that they have a different opening schedule every month so check their Instagram/Facebook page!

      6, Moo7, San Phak Wan, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230 Thailand

      10am – 4.30pm (Check IG/Facebook for their specific opening dates)

      Enough for Life – Vintage Café, Shop and B&B in Chiang Mai

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      Tucked in a corner of Rampoeng Village away from the bustling urban life in central Chiang Mai is Enough for Life. I walked over within 5-10 mins from Baan Kang Wat, a popular charming art village home to a community of local artists.

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      The space serves multiple functions – as a Bed and Breakfast on the second floor which you can book directly on their website or via AirBnB, a store selling vintage trinkets, and a café. The accommodation also comes with a private pool with guest-only access.

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      With the many different aesthetic corners you could find here, it’s no wonder that both locals and tourists go a little out of the way to explore the café and shop. I particularly loved the mishmash of vintage furniture and purposefully placed decorative items.

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      The café menu was lean, with just 3 cakes and several drink options available. Out of the carrot cake, lemon cream cake, and tiramisu cake, I had the Tiramisu Cake (THB160, SGD6.3). Unlike the usual Italian tiramisu I was expecting, their version was simpler, made with cake dipped in espresso, layered with whipped cream and flavoured with cocoa. With the lack of mascarpone and ladyfingers, it felt more like a chocolate and cream sponge cake rather than a tiramisu. I also wished that the cake could be more soaked with espresso.

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      I also had the Café Latte (THB75, SGD3) to pair with the cake – take note that there are no alternative milk options here.

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      While there was outdoor seating, I took respite in the well air-conditioned indoor area where I could just idle my time away,thinking how the name of this place was so apt. Enough for Life.

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      160/7 Moo 5 (in front of Wat Ram Poeng) Soi 7 Dok Kaew, Suthep Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai 50200

      8.30am – 5pm daily

      Khagee – Minimalist Café in Chiang Mai Known for Natural Yeast Bread

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      Khagee had been on the top of my list of cafes to visit in Chiang Mai – thanks to the great reviews and aesthetic photos of its baked goods and interior I’ve come across. Getting to its location along may not be the most convenient without a bike/car, but I managed to do it on foot from the Old Town. You can expect to explore some hidden shophouses and cross the Ping River along the way.

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      With its white brick walls, wooden counter and concrete floors, the café exuded minimalistic vibes. The café was also filled with natural light, with the sun casting long shadows as it got deeper into the afternoon.

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      My first pick was their Carrot Cake (THB95, SGD3.75), which, unlike the conventional carrot cake, was cutely shaped as a cylinder. It was soft and moist, and I appreciated the fact that the portion was suitable for 1 pax.

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      Apart from the carrot cake, their popular items also include the Canele (THB75, SGD2.96) and Custard Cream Bun (THB75, SGD2.96). The latter was already sold out when I went in the early afternoon.

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      What complemented my carrot cake was my order of Flat White (THB95 (SGD3.75), +THB20 (SGD0.79) for oat milk), brewed using a Seasonal Espresso Blend from Samadool Coffee, a coffee shop and roastery in Bangkok. With tasting notes of caramel, chocolate, and juicy, and a light flavour with low acidity and bitterness, the coffee suited my preference.

      Filter coffee was also available on the menu, and for non-coffee drinkers, there were also options such as matcha latte, hot/iced chocolate, orange juice and herbal tea.

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      Additionally, I also got the Berry Banana Bread (THB210, SGD8.29), featuring a thick slice of fluffy banana bread topped with banana slices, a layer of light cream, berries and nuts. The sweet notes of the banana and banana bread were well-balanced with the tartness of the berries, with neither overpowering the other. I loved how both carrot cake and banana bread I had were not overly sweet.

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      I left extremely satisfied with the overall experience – ambiance, service, coffee, food. Save this café for your next trip to Chiang Mai if you have not.

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      29 30 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Soi 1, ตำบล วัดเกตุ Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

      9am – 5pm daily

      Johor Bahru Cafe Hop – Reviewing the 5 Cafes I Visited in JB in 2024

      1. Dona Bakehouse
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        Founded by the same owners of Poke Twins, Dona Bakehouse offers an artisan bakery and café experience. The spacious 2-storey establishment is located conveniently in the Jalan Tan Hiok Nee area near the customs, beside the famous Hiap Joo Bakery. They have recently opened a second outlet in Kuala Lumpur.

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        From the all-day breakfast menu, I tried the Mashed Avo & Mushroom Toast (RM28, SGD8.5) which features mashed avocados, cherry tomatoes, mushroom medley, poached eggs, seeds & crushed pistachios on sourdough toast. The savoury mushrooms and sourdough stood out to me.

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        From the display of French viennoiseries behind the glass counter at the entrance, we had a sweet item – the Pistachio Supreme Swirl (RM7.49, SGD2.3) and a savoury one – Tuna Salad Danish (RM14, SGD4.3).

        The layers of the pistachio swirl were crisp and flaky, unveiling a creamy core of pistachio which I thought could be nuttier, while the tuna Danish was quite flat in flavour.

        Drinks-wise, I had the Hot Mocha (RM12, SGD3.7) which was a pretty decent cup with a good balance of sweet and bitter tones. However, the Matcha Strawberry Latte, which seemed to have been taken off the menu, was too sweet.

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        14, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

        Weekdays 8.30am – 5pm, weekends 8.30am – 9.30pm

        2. Palates and Bagels by T.A.M

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        In contrast to the bright and natural light filled Dona Bakehouse, Palates and Bagels by T.A.M. boasted low ambient lighting in a moody interior. The highlight of the café was their range of bagels and bagel dishes, with both sweet and savoury options.

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        Each of their savoury bagels had a male name to it, and I opted for the Louis (RM34.9, SGD10.6). I chose the sesame seed bagel to go along with the filling of cajun mayo, smokey beef brisket, hash brown, egg, caramelized onion and sliced cheese. While the combination of ingredients made a saucey, satisfying meal, I thought the bagel could be chewier.

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        I also had a main dish – their LFC Aglio Olio Pasta (RM20.9, SGD6.4) which was essentially an aglio olio paired with local fried chicken. This tasted very normal.

        P.s. they recently opened a second outlet in JB, at Taman Melodies, which offers exclusive Thai-inspired bagels and main dishes not found at the first outlet.

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        10, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

        8am – 6pm daily

        3. Eden by Wizards

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        Recently, I ventured into the up-and-coming Austin Heights neighbourhood which has turned into an enclave of cafes. Eden by Wizards is nestled within an industrial area of the neighbourhood, with a raw charm to its interior. The space is designed with a garden concept, meticulously landscaped with green plants and stones. The addition of artificial bird sounds enlivens the entire place.

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        The all-day brunch menu at Eden was pretty extensive and after careful deliberation, we got the Avocado Toast (RM33, SGD10). It came with toasted sourdough topped with avocados, pesto, datterino tomatoes, grated cheese and poached eggs. I loved the generous amount of pesto, but felt that the sourdough was slightly tough.

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        We also splurged on the Braised Wagyu Beef Karubi (RM88, SGD26.8), which was herb crusted and paired with mash potato, sauteed assorted mushroom & grilled cherry on vine tomato. Though the karubi was not tough, it was dry and had to be eaten with the sauce on the side. The mashed potato was clumpy and not seasoned enough.

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        Both drinks we tried – the Ayame Matcha Latte (RM17, SGD5.2) and Hojicha Latte (RM17, SGD5.2) were decent but on the sweeter side.

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        19, Jln Tiong Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tiong Nam Tebrau 3, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

        10am – 10pm daily

        4. Slow Day Café

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        For the artistic creatures, or those simply looking to do couple/group activities, Slow Day Café would be your choice of café. As a modern art café, you can indulge in not just their popular matcha desserts and drinks but also their Acrylic & Quartz Painting Workship and Edible Toast Painting Workshop. Sadly, we didn’t know we had to reserve on their website in advance so we had to give the activities a miss.

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        I highly recommend the Matcha Nama Cake (RM28, SGD8.5). Comprising 3 layers, the top layer was a light matcha cream, the middle layer a rich and smooth matcha nama chocolate ganache and the base a dense and moist matcha gateau au chocolat. The ganache in the middle was thick and intense and perfect for a matcha lover, balanced with the lighter, softer layer of mousse on top and a dense layer of cake at the bottom.

        My drink, the Strawberry Matcha (RM17.9, SGD5.4), was also one of the better strawberry matcha lattes I’ve had. It did not bear the artificial taste of strawberry milk, while the matcha was smooth with bitter tones that complemented with the sweet strawberry jam.

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        As for the Rose Latte (RM14.9, SGD4.5), it tasted quite like a normal bandung drink you could get at a coffee shop so I would recommend skipping it.

        No. 2-01, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

        Mon to Thurs 12pm – 8pm

        Fri to Sun 12pm – 12am

        Closed on Tues

        5. The Blue Door Coffee House

        Just a few units away from Slow Day Café was The Blue Door Coffee, popular for its pistachio desserts. I was overwhelmed by the quirkiness of the space – upon entering, the right side of the café has a bed parked right smack in the middle of the seating area. And on the left side, you will find Narnia’s wardrobe which when opened, will lead you to another large seating area. This area had dark blue walls and was decked in Christmas decorations when I went.

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        Since we already had a full brunch, we skipped the main courses here and opted for the Matchamisu (RM22, SGD6.7) instead. Unfortunately, the matcha mascarpone was too sweet and lacked the earthy, bitter tones of matcha. We also thought the ladyfingers could be more well soaked with coffee.

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        There was a relatively new item on the menu – The Kunafa (RM55, SGD16.7), a platter of a kunafa chocolate, pistachio latte and kombucha.

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        It was my first time having the viral Dubai chocolate, featuring a crunchy pistachio and kunafa (shredded phyllo pastry) filling nestled between 2 layers of chocolate. I liked that the filling was nutty and crisp, complementing the sweet chocolate.

        As for the pistachio latte, we were advised to first take a sip from the top to enjoy the rich, creamy layer of pistachio on the top, then drink from the middle layer coffee, and then the final layer of pistachio at the bottom. We were also warned not to stir everything as it will get too sweet. I loved the combination of the coffee and top layer of pistachio cream which was rich, nutty and savoury. The bottom layer felt syrupy and was too sweet.

        Lastly, the kombucha served as a palate cleanser between sips of latte and nibbles of chocolate.

        Alternatively, you can also try their viral croissants.

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        36A, Jalan Austin Height 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

        Mon to Wed 11am – 10pm

        Thurs to Sun 11am – 12am

        Atrium, Malmö – Brunch in an Aesthetic Cafe in Sweden

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        For my day trip to Malmö (in Sweden) from Copenhagen, I researched and shortlisted a few cafes to visit. Atrium was the first café stop of the day for breakfast. Stepping into the cafe, I was greeted with cozy and relaxed vibes, akin to visiting a grandma’s cottage for comfort food.

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        There were plenty of seats in different corners to choose from – the outdoor terrace allows you to bask in laid-back vibes of a charming outdoor garden and is perfect in the spring and summer, the indoor communal tables allow for gatherings, while the smaller tables and countertop table allow for an intimate meal alone or with a plus one.

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        What I also noticed and appreciated was the emphasis on greenery – apart from the plants in the outdoor garden, there were also many plants and even small trees thriving indoors thanks to the naturally, brightly lit interior.

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        I started off with coffee and was delighted to find that the coffee quality was just as good as those from specialty coffee roasters I visited in Copenhagen.

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        The café offers typical brunch fare, with both vegetarian and vegan options available on the menu. I had the Turkish Eggs (98 kr, SGD 12), which features 2 poached eggs in garlic yogurt topped with browned butter, chilli, fennel and pomegranate served with toasted sourdough. The spice level was mild, balanced with the savoury garlic yogurt which was the highlight for me.

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        The Avocado Sandwich (125 kr, SGD 15.4) was the next dish I had. Nothing too fancy, it was a simple dish of a poached egg, tomatoes, avocado cream served on sourdough bread with cream cheese. I did wish that the portion could be bigger, e.g. serving 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of sourdough instead of 1 each.

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        For a sweet (but not overly sweet) ending, I opted for the Roasted Banana Bread with White Chocolate Mascarpone (69 kr, SGD 8.5). Not sure if it was due to the roasting process, but I thought that the banana bread could be more moist inside.

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        Compared to the cafes in Copenhagen, the atmosphere was less busy, and sitting here feels like getting a respite from city life, indulging in slow living. Furthermore, prices in Sweden were significantly lower than that in Denmark which is an additional plus point.

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        Skvadronsgatan 13, 217 49 Malmö, Sweden

        8am – 5pm weekdays, 9am – 5pm weekends

        Andersen & Maillard – Delicious Pastries and Coffee in Copenhagen, Denmark

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        Opened by former Noma pastry chef Milton Abel and barista Hans Kristian Andersen, Andersen & Maillard is a go-to spot in Copenhagen for delicious pastries and coffee. They opened their first location at Nørrebrogade in 2018 as a coffee roastery and bakery. I’ve passed by the outlet on several occasions and couldn’t help but notice that it was always bustling with patrons flowing in and out no matter the time of the day.

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        When I properly visited the first outlet one late afternoon, it was unfortunate that most of the pastries were already sold out. Among the remaining ones, I was recommended the Brunsviger (DKK30). This is their twist of the classic yeast-based coffee cake which originated from the Danish island of Funen (Fyn). It is made from croissant dough baked with extra sugar and cinnamon and best eaten by tearing it apart with your hands.

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        I also had the Almond Croissant (DKK44, SGD8.3), filled with rich almond cream and topped with a generous amount of almond flakes. Since the portion is larger than a usual croissant, I highly recommend to share it between two.

        I was still very interested to try more of their signature pastries so I visited the other outlet at Nordhavn. The outlet was designed by a local architectural designer and I particularly loved the raw and minimal aesthetics, with an intertwine of vintage and modern pieces of furniture.

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        Here, I managed to get my hands on their viral, iconic Croissant Cube – I went for the Pistachio flavoured one (DKK40, SGD 7.6). Peeling the buttery, flaky layers open revealed a filling of creamy pistachio ganache.

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        On the other hand, the Chocolate Croissant (DKK48, SGD 9.1) is made by setting aside some portion of the croissant dough, mixing it with melted chocolate, and then reincorporating back into the lamination process, giving it the bi-colour look. Once baked and cooled, it is then piped with a silky-smooth dark chocolate ganache. This is a must for chocolate lovers.

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        I also tried their coffee – both the Flat White (DKK42, SGD8) and Cappuccino (DKK44, SGD8.3) were well-balanced and very suitable to pair with the pastries.

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        There may be several good artisan bakeries, and also high-quality specialty coffee shops in Copenhagen that I’ve visited, but if you’re short on time and want the best of both worlds, Andersen & Maillard is the place to be.   

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        Locations visited:

        1. Coffee Shop & Roastery – Norrebrogade 62, 2200 Kovenhavn. Weekdays 7am – 6pm, Weekends & Holidays 8am – 6pm
        2. Bakery – Antwerpengade 10, 2150 Nordhavn. 7am – 6pm daily

        Exploring Aarhus in 3 Days 2 Nights

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        After a week or so exploring Copenhagen, I ventured up north to the second largest city in Denmark, Aarhus. I knew about Aarhus as the birthplace of the first La Cabra roastery and café which I wanted to check out. Apart from world renowned coffee, I later found many other attractions – from historic sites, to museums, to new architecture, to the sea.

        How to Get There

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        It took about three and a half hours by the DSB train, and tickets can be easily reserved and bought online prior to your trip, fuss-free. The ride was generally smooth and comfortable in clean carriages, except that you would be seating facing a stranger on the opposite side, and unfortunately I also picked the wrong side and had to ride backwards on my ride back to Copenhagen.

        Where to Stay

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        Through AirBnB, I booked a beach house by the harbour front, which offered a direct view of the ocean from its floor to ceiling windows. It is situated in the Aarhus Docklands, or Aarhus Ø, which is a newer district in Aarhus.

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        What to See

        1. Aarhus Docklands
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        The Aarhus Docklands is a combination of modern architecture and recreational activities, making it a dynamic neighbourhood. I had opportunities to stroll and run beside the waters and I couldn’t help but notice the uniquely designed buildings – one of it being the Isbjerget (Iceberg) which mimics the shape of an iceberg. There were also many locals indulging in water activities, and right by the harbour bath there was a bustling street lined with restaurants and bars.

        2. Den Gamle By10am – 5pm daily

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        Den Gamle By is an open air town museum which showcases 400 years of Danish history through 4 neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood represents a different period of time and it was an interesting experience to step into historic shops, gardens, houses and backyards.

        3. ARoS Aarhus Art MuseumTue – Fri 10am – 9pm, Weekends 10am – 5pm

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        For an indoor cultural activity, I explored the ARoS art museum which had 10 levels worth of exhibits. The most memorable ones were the five-metre tall huge and hyper-realistic sculpture of a boy by Ron Mueck, and the permanent Your Rainbow Panorama created by Olaf Eliasson, a circular walkway in glass in all the colours of the spectrum.

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        Where to Eat & Drink

        1. La Cabra
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        Quite literally what I went to Aarhus for! Read my full review here.

        2. MonkBernhardt Jensens Blvd 75, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark, 7.30am to 5pm daily

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        Located in the Docklands is this cozy café that makes their own coffee while sourcing baked goods from Berta Bakery (yet another popular bakery in Aarhus).

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        I had both the Matcha Latte and Espresso with Milk to pair with the Bolle Med Ost (BMO) – the breakfast of champions in Denmark, referring to bun and cheese, and a banana bread. Both coffee and matcha were equally good, and I also loved the nuttiness and crisp of the sesame bun.

        3. Jumbo Bakery at AnkersgadeAnkersgade 12, Aarhus, Denmark 8000. Weekdays 7.30am – 5pm, Weekends/Public Holidays 8am – 4pm

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        Jumbo Bakery at Ankersgade is the second location of Jumbo Bakery. Though slightly out of the way in a more secluded area, this outlet is also much bigger and more airy than the first, with relaxing vibes to laze away in the afternoon. Their bakes rotate on a seasonal basis depending on the local produce available.

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        When I was there, I had the Buckwheat Croissant with Honey, Buckwheat and Sea Salt, which was in a round cylindrical shape unlike the usual croissant. It featured buttery and flaky layers and felt more like a kouign amann. The use of buckwheat was interesting.

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        I also had the Almond Cake made with semolina and olive oil and served with a soft vanilla cream and freshly squeezed lime. The nuttiness of the almond came through nicely and neither the cake nor cream were overly sweet.

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        Lille Bakery, Copenhagen

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        The journey to Lille Bakery from the city center of Copenhagen was an experience in itself. From Kongens Nytorv, we took the 2A bus, which travels all the way to Refshaleøen, a former industrial district that has transformed into one of the trendiest areas for food, art, and culture. Along the way, we passed through the town of Christiania (make sure to stop by Freetown Christiania for a unique tourist experience) and began to see the old industrial buildings that have been revamped into vibrant restaurants, galleries, bars, and cafes.

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        Lille Bakery is located right across from the last stop on the route. It occupies an airy, loft-style repurposed industrial building with floor-to-ceiling windows that invite plenty of light on sunny days. Both outdoor and indoor seating on the ground level feature communal tables, while individual tables can be found on the second floor of the loft, where you can also capture that iconic shot of the bakery.

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        The menu boasts a variety of offerings, including sourdough bread loaves made with Danish grains, seeds, and salts, as well as pastries and seasonal dishes for breakfast and lunch that change frequently.

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        From the breakfast menu, I chose the Scrambled Eggs on Rye with Ramson (DKK 90, SGD 17.1). While it appeared to be a simple dish, it was scrumptious, hearty, and healthy all at once.

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        I also indulged in three of their pastries: the Berliner (DKK 35, SGD 6.6), Blomster Bun (DKK 35), and Carrot Cake (DKK 40, SGD 7.6). The Berliner is traditionally a German jam-filled donut dusted with powdered sugar, but here it is filled with a light cream custard, which I found delightful due to its fluffiness.

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        The Blomster Bun featured buttery, flaky layers reminiscent of a kouign amann, but it was dusted with sugar instead.

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        The Carrot Cake was equally impressive, boasting the perfect texture and density while tasting both organic and delicious. The quality of their bread and pastries likely stems from sourcing excellent ingredients from local farmers who grow and produce crops sustainably and ethically.

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        To complement our meal, we also tried their Prolog Black Filter Coffee with Homemade Oat Milk (DKK 32, SGD 6.1) and Homemade Iced Tea (DKK 30, SGD 5.7). Surprisingly, the iced tea was very refreshing without being overly sweet or bitter.

        Lille Bakery is like every other bakery I’ve visited in Copenhagen—it has its own unique identity while offering high-quality bread and dishes.

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        Wed to Sun 8am – 5pm

        213B Refshalevej, 1432 Kobenhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark