Suzuki Cafe and Roastery @ Chin Bee Ave (Boon Lay) - A Hidden Japanese-Style Wooden Teahouse Cafe In The West

Having stayed in the West for more than five years, I didn't even know the existence of Suzuki Cafe and Roastery at Chin Been Ave. The cafe is hidden in an industrial area at Boon Lay. It probably caught the attention of social media when it revamped the place, spotting a Japanese wooden teahouse interior. It seems to work, attracting and creating more awareness for the cafe. In fact, Suzuki Gourment Coffee has been around since 1979, and it is one of Singapore's oldest coffee roastery.

Unlike other cafes, Suzuki Cafe does not serve food. It only offers a variety of coffee, matcha latte and hojicha latte. It also uses Hokkaido milk for a creamier and more full-body finish. The coffee is rather pricey here, costing double what you get in other cafes, around $7-$8.

The drinks come in a wooden tray with a piece of Lotus Biscuit. Though I enjoyed my Flat White with Hokkaido Milk ($8), I was disappointed that the coffee comes in a plastic takeaway cup for the price I paid. 

While Suzuki Cafe is not easily accessible by public transport, I like the chill and relax vibe. It felt like being transported to a cafe in a small town in Japan. Time seems to pass slowly as I enjoy my cup of coffee in a cafe filled with the coffee's aroma.


Suzuki Cafe and Roastery
8 Chin Bee Ave
Singapore 619932
Tel: +65 62663933
Website
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 10am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 79. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination, Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

The Grumpy Bear @ SAFRA Jurong - Serving Signature Chicken Chops With A Local Twist

The Grumpy Bear specialises in western cuisine and is known for its chicken chops that come with a variety of choices. It operates a few outlets in Singapore, with its latest opening at SAFRA Jurong. This new outlet has incorporated local flavours into its menu, alongside with its own range of ice creams.

Nasi Lemak Chicken 3.5/5

On the menu, you will find 2 interesting dishes with a local twist - Nasi Lemak Chicken ($18.90) and Grumpy Chicken Rendang ($18.90). Served with herb rice, fried egg and a dollop of sambal chilli, the oven-baked Lemak Chicken Chop was aptly flavoured with spices, tender and succulent. The quintessential sambal chilli was on the sweeter side, but it still very much brought out the full Nasi Lemak experience. In place of the usual fragrant coconut milk rice is herb rice that was aromatic with Italian herbs, and equally enjoyable. The fried egg can definitely be better.

Chicken Rendang 4/5

The Oven Baked Grumpy Chicken Rendang is made using herb rice topped with hearty chunks of Chicken baked and baked in special Rendang sauce. The rendang sauce was heady and robust with spices, and I love how the slices of tomatoes released bursts of tangy juiciness into the rich sauce. The rice was in distinct grains, which worked well with the rich chicken rendang.

Creamy Pasta with Prawns 3/5

There is also a variety of pasta. We tried Creamy Pasta with Prawns ($16.90). It was decent, but it wasn't satiable at all.

Mushroom Soup 2/5

As for sides such as Mushroom Soup, I suggest giving them a miss and just head for their chicken dishes and desserts. Mine had a strong taste of flour, and the croutons were simply stale bread crumbs.

Waffle with Ice Cream 3.8/5

The Grumpy Bear can also be the place of consideration for waffles and ice creams. The Grumpy Bear has its own range of ice cream, ranging from classic to premium. We tried Red Velvet Waffle with Pistachio and Blueberry Yogurt ice creams. The waffle was pretty fluffy with a crisp exterior, and the ice creams were light and not cloying.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Grumpy Bear
SAFRA Jurong
333 Boon Lay Way
#2B-02
Singapore 649848
Tel: +65 82996261
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D and E and walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 251. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey about 10 minutes. [Map]

Ah Er Soup (阿2汤) @ Yuan Ching Road - The Real Master Behind Michelin Bib Gourmand Award 2017

With the announcement of the Michelin Bib Gourmand list for 2017, I was left puzzled with the new entrant Ah Er Soup (阿2汤) at ABC Brickworks Market. What is the judging criteria of the Michelin inspectors? The outlet at ABC Brickworks Food Centre is a franchise stall and not the original stall. Did Michelin even know that the original recipe comes from Mr Ma Pit San and Mr Nong Gan who started the original and main stall at Yuan Ching Road?

Buddha Jumps Over The Wall 4.5/5

Feeling injustice for the duo that come up with the recipe, I decided to visit the original stall at Yuan Ching Road. During my visit, I saw Mr Ma busy at the back of the stall, preparing the soup. I ordered my favourite Buddha Jumps Over The Wall ($7) which comes with generous ingredients such as fish maw, mushroom, abalone and chicken. The soup which has been boiled for at least 2 hours, was very intense and rich in flavour.

Peanuts with Lotus Roots & Pork Ribs Soup 4.5/5

Among the other soups on the menu, I had the Peanuts with Lotus Roots & Pork Ribs Soup ($4.50). The pork ribs were cooked until so soft that it literally fell apart with ease. The lotus roots were also sweet and crunchy. I can once again taste the effort behind each bowl of soup in the richness, and this comes with a subtle nutty finishing from the peanuts.

Pumpkin Rice 3.5/5 and Oliver Rice 4/5

Olive Rice 4/5

Ah Er Soup at Yuan Ching Road offers 4 types of rice to go with their soups. They are the normal Steamed Rice, Brown Rice, Pumpkin Rice and Olive Rice. I understand the ABC Brickworks Food Centre stall does not offer the olive rice. I would highly recommend the olive rice which is much more fragrant compared to the others. On top of that, you don't usually get to have it elsewhere.

Preserved Vegetable with Braised Meat 3.8/5

Different from the other franchise stalls across the islands, the main stall offers other braised items such as the Preserved Vegetable with Braised Meat ($6), Braised Pig Trotter, Braised Pig Skin, Braised Beancurd, Braised Egg, Salted Vegetable, Tau Kee and Handmade Fish Roll to go with the nourishing soups.

Ah Er Soup (阿2汤)
3 Yuan Ching Road
Singapore 618642
Nearest MRT: Lakeside (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lakeside MRT station. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Lakeside MRT station (Stop ID 28099). Take bus number 154. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]