Who would have imagined a bakery cafe to be hidden right beside Khoo Teck Puat Hospital? Sandwiched between Real Food and Jing Si Books and Cafe is Slow Bakes, a bakery cafe selling various bakes and local coffee. Imagine sipping coffee with a serene view – doesn’t feel like Singapore!
Hidden Bakery Cafe in Yishun
Slow Bakes is located within Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre (HYC), a popular studying spot for students. The HYC is a community-based, non-profit start-up seeking to serve youths of age 15 to 35. But of course, everyone is allowed to explore the premises.
The concept of Slow Bakes reminds us of Banchong Cafe, except that Slow Bakes focuses more on bread instead of local fare.
With the premises located right beside Yishun Pond, it’s almost as if you’re sitting directly in front of a huge painting.
The best seats in the house have got to be the ones facing the pond, where you get to lim kopi and enjoy some peace and quiet. The cafe doesn’t play any music at all, so all you hear are the chatters of customers and the sound of nature.
Slow Bakes Menu @ Yishun
You can find a range of buns, such as Cheese Poro ($2.80), Garlic Cheese ($3.50) and Cinnamon Roll ($3). They also sell Toasts at $2.50 per slice, where you can have your choice of bread paired with a spread.
Choices of bread include Sourdough slice/baguette, Pumpkin Loaf, Turmeric and Yam Swirl Slice, Chocolate/Matcha Loaf and Brioche Slice. As for the spreads, you can choose from homemade old school kaya, unsweetened almond butter and more.
Their bakes are freshly baked every day.
Breakfast Set
We ended up trying the Breakfast Set ($6.50) which comes with a toast, soft-boiled eggs and a drink.
The sourdough slice with kaya and butter was a pretty interesting combination since most traditional places use either fluffy white bread or the toasted ones like Yakun.
Biting into Slow Bake’s sourdough revealed a nice crispy exterior with the sour, tangy flavours of the bread really standing out. The kaya looked nothing like we expected, with a glossy, brown finish that looked almost like thick maple syrup.
The eggs were cooked well and the kopi we had was decent. But the cherry on top has got to be the view that made everything taste nicer.
Cafe in Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre
Initially, we were pretty worried since the place was not air-conditioned, but the place had adequate ventilation. Since the place closes at 2 pm, chances are, you won’t experience the sweltering heat.
With Slow Bakes opening their doors at 7 am, Yishun residents can take some time and enjoy a nice breakfast with a view before WFH or heading out.
Slow Bakes
30A Yishun Central, 1, Singapore 768796
Wed-Mon, 7am-2pm, Closed on Tuesdays
*This is an independent review by MiddleClass.sg
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