Hole-In-The-Wall Coffee Joints Are Popping Up In Singapore
Need a quick pick-me-up? Just pop over to these new hole-in-the-wall coffee or teh tarik joints for a quality brew with zero fuss.
There’s something about a hole-in-the-wall joint that’s truly different and exciting. It’s like uncovering a secret not known to many, and reveling in the wonderfully non-mainstream joys of it all. That’s why these tiny spaces serving up quality coffee have caught the attention of those who are in the know. Lately a small handful of such ventures have been popping up all over the city, but what’s the reason behind this trend?
(From left): Ali Redha of Tarik; William Brodie and partner Pierette Dytiandu of Caffeine Xpress; and Adhwa Hasif of Ground Floor Coffee
“Overall, I strongly feel this hole-in-the-wall trend comes out of necessity. Now we’re dealing with higher rent and higher cost of goods. We’re also competing with large coffee chains,” shares Dr Namthep Sachathep, owner of Kohi Roastery & Coffee Bar in Joo Chiat. He adds that he’s happy to see other smaller cafes taking an opportunity to present themselves despite the current challenges, all in the name of providing quality coffee to customers and also, following their passions.
It’s time to switch up your coffee game: Choose a quality cup of joe from a hidden takeaway gem instead of a sit-down brunch at a big-name cafe this weekend. Here’s where to go.
Housed in one of Joo Chiat’s heritage Peranakan shophouses, Kohi Roastery & Coffee Bar shares its home with Crane Living, a multipurpose outlet that functions as a work and retail space, as well as Cafe Natsu, a Japanese-inspired brunch spot. Customers make their orders from a window facing an alleyway, framed by bright yellow paint and foliage growing around it. This concept was intentional, shares owner Dr Namthep Sachathep, who brought in the brand from Bangkok. “The idea of a coffee (and service) to the alley is reminiscent of the streets in Kyoto, Melbourne, and many cities in Europe. This is the type of experience and culture we want to try and cultivate in Singapore,” he explains.
Kohi’s roasts are largely light to medium, with about 60 per cent of the beans hailing from Thailand, including the brand’s original roastery in Bangkok, as well as areas such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. First- time visitors can choose to start with the fool proof white coffee ($6). We also recommend the bar’s signature drinks: Kohito ($7), an iced mint black coffee with a dollop of milk, or the Espresso OJ ($7), which is – you guessed it – espresso with orange juice.
Prefer something non-caffeinated? There is the Dark Chocolate ($6.50) crafted with 72 per cent Vietnamese chocolate. This delicious treat is made in collaboration with Embrace, a local chocolatier also situated along Joo Chiat Road.
283 Joo Chiat Road
Taking the term “home-based business” to another level is Ground Floor Coffee, where owner Adhwa Hasif serves coffee from the window of his ground-floor Pasir Ris HDB unit. Hasif, a freelance photographer and self-taught barista, came up with the idea one evening when he saw a group of friends hanging around the loading bay behind his home. They had their cars parked nearby and were sitting around in foldable chairs, chatting and sharing snacks. This whole “easy access”, chill-out vibe inspired him to start a takeaway joint from home.
The menu at Ground Floor Coffee is essentially a collection of flavours loved by both Hasif and his wife, and the creations are made mostly with speciality-grade 100 per cent Arabica beans imported from a local roaster based in Sydney. “So far, our bestseller is the non-coffee, milk-based drink Pure Chocolate ($5). Kids, in particular, love this one. Our Caramel Latte ($5) is also a crowd pleaser, and then there is the Lavender Latte ($6), which is something I feel everyone should try as I use real lavender buds mixed with espresso,” shares Hasif.
Food-wise, there is only one item available, and that’s Kek Gula Hangus (burnt sugar cake, $2.50). Baked fresh by Hasif’s mother-in-law whenever Ground Floor Coffee operates (which isn’t fixed – check its Instagram page for operating hours), these delicious treats have a spongy, honeycomb-like texture and a slightly bitter, dark caramel flavour, which is achieved through burning white sugar.
Customers of Ground Floor Coffee collect their drinks via a window facing the loading bay. Ground Floor Coffee only accepts pre-orders via an online ordering platform, which can be found on its website, so do take note before going down.
214 Pasir Ris Street 21
Photography Phyllicia Wang Art Direction Adeline Eng
This article is adapted from a story that first appeared in Her World
Those who have visited Thambi Magazine recently may have noticed a quaint coffee bar located inside the shop space of this Holland Village icon. Caffeine Xpress provides quality takeaway espresso-based drinks for people on the move. “Coffee has always been my go-to for a quick pick- me-up. It gets me through the day, and helps me find some peace between busy work schedules. This feeling is what I want to share with everyone,” says Malaysian-born owner William Brodie, who takes pride in perking customers up with Caffeine Xpress’ medium roast blend.
William keeps the menu very simple, with drinks such as Double Espresso and Long Black starting from $3.50. The signature drink, Dalgona Latte ($6), is quite popular. Be sure to try this iced treat made with a block of honeycomb, which dissolves slowly into the chilled drink when three shots of espresso are poured over it. Caffeine Xpress also has several food items that pair well with coffee.
There’s the hearty Banh Mi ($6.50), a Vietnamese-inspired baguette sandwich with a generous portion of pork pate and sriracha mayo, topped with pickled vegetables, carrots, green chilli, and cilantro. For fillings, you can opt for salmon and honey baked ham or roast chicken.
#01-K4 Holland Road Shopping Centre. Open daily 8am-6pm
Craving for a more “old-school”, tea-time option? Enter chai specialist Tarik, which started its hole-in-the-wall shop in Kampong Glam in 2021. Owner Ali Redha is at the helm of this takeaway spot, and the drinks menu is all about tea in different flavours, with teh tarik being the main highlight.
On why he started Tarik at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ali explains that he and his wife – being fans of chai – found that the numerous lockdowns made it inconvenient for them to satiate their cravings for the beverage. “We started making our own tea creations at home, and with lots of trial and error, the perfect cuppa began brewing. What we had created, we felt that we needed to share. Many shop spaces were vacated and several shops had closed down [in Kampong Glam] during this period of time, and we happened to find ourselves a cute little shop with just a door and a window. That’s how Tarik was born,” reveals Ali.
From a small takeaway kiosk, Tarik has since relocated to a bigger space just a few shops away at 92 Arab Street. Tea is no longer served from a window, but what remains is the unmistakable hospitality that keeps Tarik’s regular pool of loyal customers coming back for more. Food and drink prices here range from as low as $1.50 to $8, and the signature teh tarik comes in two sizes, priced at $1.60 and $2. Another must-try is the Teh Zaffran ($2.70), which is brewed with spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, then topped off with sprinkles of saffron. It’s best paired with the $1.50 kaya butter buns.
92 Arab Street