From Taiwan to Singapore, famous Roji Monster Ice Cream 路地 氷の怪物 has finally opened in Tanjong Pagar, providing a late night supper option. (Also read: 10 Taiwanese Cafes In Singapore)
The brand is known for their “monster-like” shaved ice cream and has outlets worldwide in countries such as US, China, Korea, Canada, Australia, and Malaysia.
Stepping inside, the 32-seaters space has a MUJI-like, zen-like minimalist interior, fully equipped with wood elements and muted colour tones like a Japanese teahouse.
Roji ろじ, refers to an “an alley” in the Japanese language, a place where people can find peace and tranquil amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
The black sphere-like character, Roji, is the mascot of the shop and can be found here in the decoration, food and drinks, bringing comfort to all diners.
Their menu is short and concise, with their cute, customisable signature Monster Ice Cream ($12.90) available in 4 different flavours: Milk, Uji Matcha, Cocoa and Black Sesame.
Diners can choose to customise their Monster Ice Cream with 2 complimentary toppings (extra toppings +$2.90) among the 23 options there by stamping the respective ink stamps on the order card at the photo wall right at the entrance before proceeding to make the payment.
There are both traditional Japanese toppings and local toppings here such as Rice Dumpling with Red Bean/ Hojicha Jelly/ Matcha Jelly, Salted Cherry Jelly, Honey Osmanthus Jelly, Mini Dorayaki, Iced Gem Biscuits, Cendol, Matcha & Taro Balls and Brown Sugar Tapioca.
Using an ice shaving machine specially imported from Japan, 100% dairy without water added, no additives and artificial flavouring to create the thin sheets of ribbon-like ice cream.
Topped with a pair of Roji’s cute eyes made from icing sugar as a finishing touch, the Roji monster is now created.
Unlike the finely-shaved Korean Bingsu and fluffy Japanese Kakigori, this Roji monster has a shape similar to Taiwanese shaved ice, created in thin sheets and layers.
The thing that surprised me most is the texture, in between that of a gelato and soft serve, being soft, milky and creamy without any icy kick.
The Uji Matcha Monster Ice Cream ($12.90) was my favourite, light and creamy with lingering scent and aroma of matcha with an earthy and robust flavour.
The rice dumpling (shirotama) with red beans is worth a mention, soft and chewy texture with Azuki red bean that is not overly sweet.
The Black Sesame Monster Ice Cream ($12.90) is also worth a try, with earthy taste of grounded black sesame seeds, slightly on the sweeter side.
Apart from the Monster Ice Cream, Monster Waffle ($10.90) is another dessert available on their menu.
Comes with a waffle shaped like Roji, milk soft serve, matcha cream and chocolate sauce, the waffle was not the type I preferred, being eggy and dense with crispy edges.
You can have it in many ways, drizzling the chocolate sauce on it, dabbing some matcha cream for some uamami-ness or add some soft serve onto it for the icy sensation.
Both hot and cold drinks are available for Matcha Latte (Hot $5.90, Cold $6.90), Hojicha Latte (Hot $5.90, Cold $6.90).
Once again, Roji appears on the drink, created by sprinkling matcha/ Houjicha powder on the layer of milk foam.
Oishii desu~
Roji Monster Ice Cream has good shaved ice cream that I will be back for, scoring both in the aesthetics and flavours aspects.
Roji Monster Ice Cream
52 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088473
Opening Hours: 2pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 3pm – 12am (Fri – Sat)
Other Related Entries
10 Taiwanese Cafes In Singapore
Tie Fun Wan (Hougang)
Jiak by Jin Feng 金峰 (Ang Mo Kio)
Isshin Machi 一心一町 (East Coast Road)
Eat 3 Bowls 呷三碗車站 (Pasir Panjang)
* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
