There is a minimalist style Korean lifestyle café at Bukit Timah, which appears to be still quite under-the-radar.
During the few occasions I was there, I noted curious youths and students hanging outside looking intently at the menu, with a look of hesitation then walked away.
Kong Café located at Sime Darby Centre is near to couple of educational institutions, with Ngee Ann Poly just across the road. Plus, it offers student discounts and has no service charge or GST.
So, what’s missing?
The name not catchy enough? Lack of marketing and publicity? Confusing menu?
To be honest, I did take longer than usual to ‘study’ its menu and deciding what to order.
There were a couple of photos pasted outside the café (which looked like an after-thought), so perhaps something can be done to organise the menu and how it is displayed.
The café is owned partially by a Korean artist and avid yogini, who felt that the Bukit Timah area needed a quiet and chill place where people could relax and enjoy themselves.
Due to her background, there are a number of Korean-infusions and treats for the health-conscious.
Some eye-catching items on the menu include the Honey Butter Waffles ($18), Bulgogi Sandwich ($17), Ban Ban Wings ($20 for 10), Korean Chicken Rice ($16), Bulgogi Pesto Pizza ($18), Ramyun ($14), and Tteokbokki ($14).
I couldn’t resist the Savoury Waffles ($18) included with scrambled eggs and fried chicken (or sausage and bacon).
The food items are freshly prepared, so do wait a while for them to be ready.
Of late, I actually do not have overly high expectations of breakfast/brunch sets at cafes, because there would just be an item or two within the plate that would be ‘off’.
For this, the scrambled eggs were warm and luxuriously creamy, fried chicken crisp and on-point-juicy.
While the waffle was of a different style (could be more buttery I thought), I think people would like the overall combination.
The Ban Ban Wings ($10 for 4) in choice of spicy & sticky or honey butter sauce, tasted quite authentically Korean.
It vaguely reminded me of Kyochon’s with its sticky-honeyed-sweetness, and the meat was deliciously moist.
I also ordered a home-made Basque Cheesecake ($7.50) since it is the current trendy dessert. Would say that this is a decent version, though not particularly outstanding.
Kong’s coffee is made from a special house blend called Kollabo, and was rather aromatic and balanced.
For students who want a quiet time, Kong Café has dedicated a small section with plugs and free wifi, while diners can have their meal at another side of the café. Promising, but perhaps lack of that needed awareness.
Kong Cafe
896 Dunearn Road, Sime Darby Centre #01-11 Singapore 589742 (King Albert Park MRT Exit B)
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon), 8pm – 7pm (Tues, Wed, Sat, Sun), 8am – 9pm (Thurs, Fri)
Other Related Entries
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House (VivoCity)
Chir Chir Singapore (JEM)
Dosirak (313@somerset)
Burger+ (Wisma Atria)
Yoogane Singapore (Westgate)
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I guess the money for the materials is not enough. ?