In short: It’s not often I can start off a post with this statement, but Homeground Coffee Roasters are doing some of the best coffee in the country. That country being Singapore. Outstanding filter and milk coffees combined with a menu that pays homage to the flavours of the country. My tip, try the Level up Kaya with a 6 ounce cup of milk coffee.
Many appreciate Singapore for the warm tropical climate, supremely clean and a wonderfully efficient “city country”. Having visited the almost every year this century, I have had the opportunity to explore it on foot, bike, and using public transport. One area I keep coming back to is Katong. There is a charm about the area with its heritage shophouses and vibrant colours. It’s one of the last strongholds of Peranakan culture. On Joo Chiat road in one of those old shophouses, you get a glimpse into the future and how the island nation has embraced quality coffee in Homeground Coffee Roasters.
Stepping in, is akin to stepping into a boutique. I loved the paint scheme with a pleasing green and white combination, with bulbous old school lamps and neat wrap around cords down one row and beautiful pendants on the other row. There is enough seating for around 20 people, and again, it’s split between higher up bar style tables for a quick bite and coffee and traditional tables, which lend themselves to a longer food fueled stay.
I had the opportunity to try both their filter and milk coffee at Homeground Coffee Roasters. First up was a Filter Coffee. Ethiopian Geodiyo Yirgacheffe was one of two beans available and was crafted using a pour over method. The result was a flavour which included notes of lemon with a melon finish. I really enjoyed the medium body of the coffee and it was super smooth and gentle on the palate with a gentle sweet fruity finish.
While I loved the coffee, what also impressed me about Homeground was how their menu really reflected the flavours of Singapore. When you think Singapore breakfast, near top of the list, has to be kaya toast and Homeground’s Level Up Kaya definitely amplifies the original coffee shop staple. Lightly toasted Hokkaido milk toast is soft and airy and is served with homemade kaya and French butter. It definitely is a level up. I loved the rich pandan and coconut milk flavour. As is the tradition, no kaya toast is complete without a soft boiled egg. Here at Homeground Coffee Roasters, it’s a 63 degree sous vide egg. Very fancy, yet exquisite!
Continuing with a uniquely Singaporean take on a cafe classics is a Tropical Bowl. The base was unique, almost a smoothie in itself. An amalgamation of tropical fruits which included pineapple, banana, mango and peach. Tucking in with my first spoon, I quickly understood why this bowl was so popular with the yoga crowd that file in from across the road. It’s fruity and refreshing and that’s just the base. To counter the smoothie texture, there is toasty granola and it is topped with goji berries, coconut flakes and a strip of chia seeds. A mighty fine fruit bowl that definitely is addictive!
The girls decided on more savoury offerings that included a dish titled Just Wing It. A bowl full of bite size winglets. They were crisped up to perfection which owed to their double fry method. There is a spicy kick with perfectly cooked chicken that remained moist. Dipped into the creamy house-made sriracha mayo, I tasted another level of heat, but it did not have me reach for the water. It is restrained and perfect match to the chicken.
Perhaps a departure from the Asian flavours was Triple T(trruffled tater tots) which translated to mini balls of fluffy fried potato puffs with that amazing perfume of truffle. Even little Sammi could not get enough and powered through them. They were not oily and just a perfect style of side dish that you may just need to order 2 servings of, to keep everyone happy.
I could not leave without trying a Milk Coffee. Homeground Coffee Roasters have two blends. I chose to sample their Lollipop blend, which is a combination of beans from Kenya and Ethiopia and it yields a sweet candy, caramel flavour. It’s rich but not too bold nor acidic. In fact, I had no need for sugar which suggested a beautifully balanced coffee. It was just about perfect and as good as any coffee I have had, not only just in Singapore, but anywhere!
It was our last day in Singapore, and fittingly, our final breakfast was memorable for how it blew us away with its quality. Pair that with friendly staff, a relaxed sit down experience in one of Singapore’s most historically significant neighbourhoods, and you have a cafe that ticks all the boxes.
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