Tucked away in the heartlands of Yishun is a slice of paradise for early risers and breakfast goers. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted Nanyang coffee first greets you as you approach the cafe bakery. The bakery gets its name from the lengthy fermentation process it uses to create a line-up of warm bread and pastries. For a place that is bustling with people, it is unusually calm. You could almost hear a pin drop. Thereafter, views of the lush greenery and pastoral waters of Yishun pond will soon sink in after your first sip of coffee.
Coffee here is anything but pretentious. Expect the same Nanyang roasts from popular local coffee and toast chains served in both hot and cold styles (from $1.80). It’s pretty much humble offerings around here. Though there’s a slightly watered-down Masala Chai ($5.20) that we thought still had all the desirable flavours from a decent cup. Arrive early enough and you’ll see an array of fresh loaves leaving the glasshouse-esque bakery.
Sourdoughs, soft bread and daily bakes are mainstays on the menu though they are experimental with flavours. Think matcha, chocolate, pumpkin and even a turmeric and sweet potato swirl. The matcha soft toast ($2.80) was pleasantly soft and fluffy with subtle grassy hints of matcha. The daily special (during our visit) was a cranberry pumpkin sourdough ($2.80) with an incredibly crisp bark and just the right amount of tang. There are also healthy spreads such as avocado chia seed, unsweetened nut butters and berry jams to choose from.
To complete your local breakfast experience, there is a set that encourages you to pair your coffee and kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs made from fresh barn-laid eggs. But it isn’t any run-of-the-mill kaya, here they do it the traditional way using only freshly squeezed coconut milk. The result is clean-tasting notes of coconut and pandan that isn’t overly cloying.
If you’re thinking of a respite away from the concrete jungle, this is just the spot to feel the breeze in your hair and look out for the occasional appearance of monitor lizards. But rise early, this gem in the heartland closes early – at 2 in the afternoon.