Dry Mee Siam, Bolo Bun, Okonomiyaki, Croissant, Waffles, Kueh Salat, Baileys Tiramisu… the menu items at The New And Old Café are as diverse as it gets.
Yet, this café at International Plaza (near Tanjong Pagar MRT) is not too big in space, or considered in-the-radar.
The reason for the name “The New and Old Café” is because the owners wanted to bring both modern and traditional foods and beverages into one place.
The owner Edmund quit his full-time IT job (with prayers and blessing from his family) and started this café with his wife Joanna.
He takes care mainly of the kitchen aspect, while Joanna runs the marketing and aesthetic components.
In terms of mains, there are items of Special Beef Multigrain Rice ($12.90), Luncheon Meat Noodles ($6.90), Dry Laksa ($9.90, available Wed), Dried Fried Mee Siam ($9.90, available Thurs), and Okonomiyaki ($8.90) filled with tuna, chicken or prawn (additional $1 – $1.50).
There are lighter snacks of Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk ($3.50), Luncheon Meat and Scrambled Egg Sandwich ($5.50), Kaya Butter Toast ($2.20) and Peanut Butter Toast ($2.20).
So it does look japalang to a certain extent.
I have been there numerous times because the menu just kept expanding, and the very first item I tried was the HK Style Milk Tea ($3.50 for hot, $5 for chilled bottle).
Edmund has R&D for almost half a year to achieve the silky and smooth texture of the HK Style Milk Tea, and I enjoyed the lingering bitterness without being overpowering or siap siap.
Also, both were silky renditions with delicate tea aroma, with the chilled version coming in a bottle submerged in ice cubes (so that it does not get diluted yet cold) and lightly sweetened.
While I liked this drink enough, I am not sure if the price-point would totally attract the office crowd which has many other teh options around.
The Bolo Bun with Luncheon Meat ($4.50) was the other recommended – relatively crispy on the outer layer, with a moderately thick and soft slice of spam within.
These buns came pre-baked, and oven-ed upon order to maintain the slight crispy layer (so factor in waiting time). I wished the outer layer had more sugared-crunchiness, but the texture within was considered fluffy.
After I tried a number of items, I would say that the café is stronger in the Hong Kong cha chaan teng food aspect, but customers may not get a clear idea of its focus for now.
Its Dry Laksa ($9.90) fried with egg, fishcake and taupok was a decent version with light spiciness, but lacked of a certain ‘oomph’ factor.
It could be creamier, tangier, or more fragrant, just so as to differentiate from the rest out there.
Some of the cakes are baked in-house by Joanna, such as the Mini Kueh Salat Cake ($18) and Philadelphia Cream Cheesecake ($7.90 per slice).
Thus, you would find the taste rather home-baked, rather than the typical ones with more commercial finesse.
Free delivery islandwide with min order of $20 via Whatsapp order – that’s pretty affordable. Also available on GrabFood (islandwide), Deliveroo and Foodpanda.
The New And Old Café
10 Anson Road, International Plaza 01-11, Singapore 079903 (along Choon Guan Street)
Tel: +65 8797 7775
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 7:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun
Other Related Entries
Champion Bolo Bun (Tanjong Pagar)
Joy Luck Teahouse 歡樂冰室 (Causeway Point)
Tsui Wah Singapore (Heeren)
Social Place (Orchard Road)
Hui Lau Shan (Chinatown Point)
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