Our Review On Cafe Wabi Sabi Joo Chiat
If you are looking for a cozy aesthetic spot along Joo Chiat Road, Cafe Wabi Sabi delivers a lovely vibe with its incredibly nice, clean decor. The space is beautifully designed, featuring an eye-catching archway and a dedicated sitting corner complete with a giant plush bear that is absolutely perfect for a photo shoot.
The hospitality here is thoughtful, starting with a free-flow ambient water station set up at the corner of the cafe for diners to self-serve.
We came around 12.45pm. The place was quite packed. Initially we thought we had to wait but they took away a reserved sign on a table near the entrance and we were given that table. It’s time to eat!
Menu
There were two physical menus on the table which split neatly into:
- Japanese-inspired comforting main like their signature Sandos, Soba & Udon, Local Flavours, Wabi Una Jyu (widely known as the Grilled Unagi, with Kabayaki (sweet soy sauce) on Japanese Steamed Rice, Donburi, Chirashizusi Don, Salads, Sides, Special Maki, Temaki Hand Rolls and Sashimi.
- An extensive specialty coffee and artisan beverage line-up like Wabi Signature, Ocha Brulee, Coffee, Specialty Coffee, Non-Coffee, Tea & Non-Tea, Fizzy Drinks, Alcohol, Ice Cream and Desserts.
To order, we simply scanned the QR code provided at our table. There was no option to make payment via the QR Code ordering.
What We Ordered & Payment
We placed our lunch order at 12:55 PM. Here is what we went with:
- Kinoko Beef Steak Don ($23.90)
- Chirashizusi Don – Mentai ($27.90)
- Ice Citrus Snow Brew ($9.50)
- Genmaicha Osmanthus Latte ($9.00)
For settlement, payment was done via the counter at the end of our meal, where we easily made our payment with a credit card.
The Taste
The kitchen efficiency here was incredibly impressive, with the first dish landing on our table just three minutes after ordering.
— Kinoko Beef Steak Don
The Kinoko Beef Steak Don arrived incredibly fast at 12:58 PM. According to the menu, this item is made up of Sirloin Steak, Caramelised Onions, White Button Mushrooms, Onsen Egg, Tobikol Pickles, Cucumber, Yakitori Sauce. It also came with a small bowl of miso soup.
Initially we found the portion size to be rather small, but we felt the fullness after finishing everything.
The beef itself had a certain toughness to it, but it was still very nice and deeply flavorful. The overall taste of the donburi is excellent, especially after you break the yolk and mix all the ingredients thoroughly together. The main bowl comes accompanied by a side of hot miso soup, though we felt the soup had just a bit too much garnishes in it.
— Chirashizusi Don (Mentai)
Our Chirashizusi Don arrived shortly after at 1:01 PM. We went with the Mentai Mayo. Other options include Soya Glaze, Wasabi Mayo and Spicy Mayo. According to the menu, this dish is made up of Sashimi Grade Salmon, Tuna, Sushi Ebi, Sushi Rice, Lemon Rice, Tobiko, Ikura, Onsen Egg, Wasabi, Yakitori Sauce, Roasted Sesame Seed and Chopped Takuwan.
Likewise, for the price, we felt the serving was small but we felt really full after that. This also came with a bowl of miso soup with lots of garnishes.
We liked that this dish came beautifully presented, but curiously, it also came garnished with this 3 fresh lemon slices—we weren’t completely sure what to do with them, but they added a nice pop of color!
The standout feature here was definitely the quality of the seafood; the fish chunks were impressively thick, and the accompanying savory sauce tied everything together beautifully.
— Ice Citrus Snow Brew & Genmaicha Osmanthus Latte
Both of our drinks arrived at 1:01 PM alongside the Chirashi don and these two completed the whole order.
- Genmaicha Osmanthus Latte: This beverage leans heavily into its authentic tea roots. It was noticeably thick and carried a distinct, pleasantly bitter profile that tea purists will appreciate.
- Ice Citrus Snow Brew: A very thick and unique cold brew presentation. The top layer features a dense, velvety condensed milk foam that tastes remarkably like a Vietnamese egg coffee. As we sipped through the layers, we caught a beautiful, refreshing citrus aroma that cuts nicely through the richness.
How To Get To Cafe Wabi Sabi Joo Chiat?
Address: 283 & 285 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427537 & 427539 (Google Maps)
Nearest MRT: Marine Parade MRT
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Thu: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Fri – Sun, PH: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
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