This definitely feels like Japan, a teahouse situated in a tranquil (read: ulu) industrial part of Boon Lay (at 8 Chin Bee Avenue).
Founded and started in Singapore, Suzuki Gourmet Coffee is one of Singapore’s oldest coffee roastery and has been around since 1979.
Providing a one-stop service of roasting, grinding and packaging, Suzuki Gourmet Coffee offers the widest selection of finely roasted gourmet coffee in Singapore and Asia, supplying to clients such as Singapore Airlines, Shangri-La Hotel and Fairmont Hotel.
Located on the second floor of the building next to their roastery, their cafe concept has undergone a major revamp from the previous contemporary cafe setting to a Kyoto-inspired wooden teahouse.
Stepping inside, the space is gorgeously decked in wooden elements.
It has intricate designs and details from the flooring to the communal seating area, wooden lattice sliding doors (shoji), bar stools and long benches.
The entire space reminds me of a traditional teahouse commonly found in Kyoto, with a zen and minimalist touch.
There is even a shishi-odoshi, a type of fountain that slowly fills a hollow bamboo branch with water and commonly found in a. Japanese garden.
Their menu features specials coffee using single origin Arabica coffee beans freshly roasted by themselves next door for their espresso-based drinks: Hokkaido Latte/ Cappuccino/ Flat White ($8), Suzuki Hokkaido Cafe Mocha (Hot $8, Iced $9) and Long Black ($7).
Using Hokkaido fresh milk instead of the usual dairy milk commonly found elsewhere, the artisanal coffee had a richer, fuller and creamier taste profile.
There is also no additional charge if diners wish to change the Hokkaido milk to Japanese Soy Milk for the lactose-intolerant.
The baristas are friendly and accommodating, giving suggestions for the choice of drinks. Customers can even choose the latte art you want.
My cup of Flat White ($8) came with a cute little bear latte art – full-bodied, smooth, robust with a chocolatey and nutty finish.
Filtered coffee is also one of their main signature items on the menu.
There are light roast options such as Kenya ($8.50), Ethiopia ($8.50), Australia Skybury ($9.50) and Yemen ($9.50) and medium roast for Papua New Guinea ($7.50), Uganda Bugisu ($7.50) and Costa Rica Aquiares Estate ($7.50).
The most expensive cup will be the Geisha coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda ($17.50) where they won the “Best of Panama” auction in 2004.
The coffee is known for its outstanding taste, complexity and precious quantity due to its labour-intensive process.
For the non-coffee drinkers, keep a lookout for their Matcha/ Hojicha Latte (Hot $8, Iced $9) and Anmitsu Matcha/ Hojicha Latte (Hot $9, Iced $10) which is served with a dollop of red beans.
Using matcha and Hojicha powder imported from Uji, Kyoto, my cup of Iced Anmitsu Matcha Latte ($10) was smooth and earthly with slight hints of matcha.
I would be great if I can choose the level of sweetness in order to taste the true flavours in the cup.
Japanese hospitality, also known as omotenashi can be experienced here.
Each drink served on a small wooden tray and serviette napkin placed neatly on top.
Service staffs will also provide a bottle of mineral water (also known as Ohiya in Japanese which means iced water) to each guest upon seated.
While Suzuki Gourmet Coffee may not be the most easily accessible place in Singapore, located in the far west of the island, the chill and relax vibe away from the hustle and bustle of city life is smoothing and therapeutic.
I was glad to experience a piece of Japan from the attention to details in the interior to the service right in Suzuki Gourmet Coffee,
Suzuki Gourmet Coffee
8 Chin Bee Ave, Singapore 619932
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Mon – Fri), 10pm – 4pm (Sat), Closed Sun
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
