Swanston Street is fast earning its stripes as one of the city’s most happening international foodie hotspots, with noodle masters Dodee Paidang, Bowltiful and Master Lanzhou, Taiwanese favourite Hot Star Chicken, and the world-famous Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake all setting up shop in the last seven years.
Now, in yet another exciting opening for the busy strip, cake enthusiast turned baker Tia Tan has opened the doors to her new studio Miilk. Inspired by Tan's Singaporean heritage, the family business offers Melbournians a taste of Southeast Asian dessert culture in the heart of the CBD. Expect classic French chiffon cakes and perfectly fluffy sponges piped with a delectable array of Asian-inspired fillings such as lychee, kaya coconut jam, green tea and much more. Most importantly, all these creations are based on recipes that have been passed down and developed in Tan's family for generations.
The futuristic-styled space shimmers with silver chrome, Tiffany blue and crisp white neons, but it’s the fluffy, brightly decorated cakes lining the display counters here that are the most eye-catching. There are 21 slices and whole cakes on offer, plus sugar-dusted pineapple cookies and other fun treats to try on repeat visits.
Signature delights include the Tropical Paradise, a mango and pandan cake with fruity bursts of mango cream and jelly throughout; the Milo Dino, a featherlight coffee sponge layered with hand-whipped Milo cream; and the Ube Cloud, which marries nutty vanilla and purple yam-infused sponge layers with lashings of curd and cream. The Triple Hojicha cake is a must-try, complex and smoky with pure Japanese roasted tea, but if you're a lover of lychee you can't go past the First Love sponge cake, a three-tiered beauty of lychee, strawberry and cream.
Like a savoury bite before you gorge on desserts? Miilk covers those as well. Think salty snacks like sweet minced pork enveloped in flaky, golden pastry, or croissant-inspired sandwiches. Tan’s creations pay homage to her family’s long lineage of bakers. It all started with a humble bread shop, Tong Ann Bakery, in 1950 in the small regional village of Bukit Timah, Singapore. Now, 71 years later, Miilk continues to honour the tradition – with a modern (and very Instagrammable) twist.
You'll discover plenty of sweet tea, coffee and fruit-based drinks to enjoy in the neat and tranquil space alongside your sweet treats, and there’s even a selection of scented mists, candles and bags of coffee to take home with you. Tan’s other passion lies in the aromatic realm. A friendly energy circulates here, with members of the family working at the shop including Tan's Singaporean-born father – the head baker of the entire operation.
Whether you need a break from shopping along Bourke Street or you’re scouting for a quirky new space to catch up for cake and coffee with a friend, a stopover at Miilk is sure to hit the sweet spot. Pop in on Saturday, July 29, for the big opening celebration and you'll get a free slice. For more details, check out the website.