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Monday, September 2, 2019

Ultimate Kuching Cafe-Hopping Guide

In the last couple of years, the Kuching has progressed leaps and bounds in many aspects.

The cafe scene is no different, and I'm not even including the glut of bubble tea locations sprouting up everywhere, open into the wee hours of the night.

Then again, I have to admit that in terms of coffee, Kuching still has a long way to go before it can call itself a legit destination, but after my latest trip, I am suitably impressed with so many cafes that I doubt you will be disappointed hopping around this list.

Guess where? Credit: @kfline

Like my laksa guide, this will be a guide that will continue to evolve after every trip back home.

1. The Coffee Code - starting off with the best (with long working hours too)

If we consider a cafe being coffee, beverages, cake and dessert, The Coffee Code scores the highest average marks across all categories. The waffles, for 14 Ringgit, is a worthy signature dessert.



2. Wonderboom - when 'trying too hard' wins my heart

Of all the cafes visited, Wonderboom tries the hardest, in a way that I really root for them. Using healthy food as a backdrop, they have a well-designed menu expressed in a conducive newsletter format, even their cocktails are rare sake-based.

Interior design is on-point, combining many concepts in one effortlessly, even working in a kids reading corner and private event space. I love their smoothie bowls!



[First Impressions Kuching] @wonderboomkch Pleasantly surprised to find Wonderboom within comfortable walking distance from where I live in Kuching. Was just there for a snack, so only tried a coffee and a smoothie bowl from the huge well-thought-out menu that consists of everything we can expect from a good cafe and more. Smoothie bowl was delicious and wholesome. Cold, thick and smooth, not melting into a watery mess, proof that it's made of the real stuff. Coffee was passable but not outstanding. Looking forward to visiting again, and even though a cafe with such a menu might be deemed as "trying too hard" in a mature market like Bangkok, I am quite excited with folks who try very very hard to set new standards in a smaller place like this. Rock on. #wonderboomkch #makekuchinggreatagain #smoothiebowl #strangerinmerokok #strangerfirstimpressionkuching #greenheightsmall #cafehopping #cafehoppingkuching
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3. Favour by Happy - Focus on substance, not form

Update July 2020: They have closed their walk-in section to concentrate on events and custom orders, a pity, but folks in Kuching, don't forget them when you have needs for special occasions!

Looking past the simplistic decor, you will find a small team working day and night busting their asses personally making every single cake the best they can be. I recommend their gluten-free flourless orange cake, they also did a great job making a diabetic-friendly cheese tart for my Dad's birthday.

Oh, baker/owner Happy also conducts occasional baking workshops for kids so take note.



[First Impressions Kuching] @favourbyhappy Made it a point to visit a cafe/bakery in my hometown owned by a loyal supporter of my blog, which incidentally is also one of the highly-recommended cake houses in the city. Upon entry, my first thought was, "wah, very difficult to take nice pictures here because of the lighting." Then again, when you observe and taste the products eventually, you will realise that baker/owner Happy is one who favours substance over form. The Fudgy Chocolate Mousse and Gluten-free Flourless Orange Cake were both a satisfying 7.5-8/10 in terms of taste though lacking a bit of finesse in presentation, while her waffles are easily better than most waffles I can find in Bangkok, only to be slightly let-down by generic-tasting ice cream. Happy shared that they are usually overwhelmed with whole cake orders, where they will weave their creative efforts more than individual slices sold in the cafe. I could see Happy's passion to focus her limited resources on consistency, taste and premium ingredients. She also organises children workshops during school holidays where she insists on a high teacher-kid ratio and bans parents from attending (not complaining). My kids had a ball making snowskin mooncakes. Definitely a cafe worth considering if you are looking for unpretentious delicious cakes and waffles, or a yummy cake for a special occasion. #cafehoppingkuching #favourbyhappy #strangerfirstimpressionkuching #strangerinmerokok #makekuchinggreatagain #kuchingcafe
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4. Commons - justice done to a familiar name

Regardless of where the name inspiration came from, Commons at the Old Court House remains one of the most cleverly-executed spaces in the city. Love the loooooong table in the centre designed for large social gatherings, and really set the stage for Old Court House's classy makeover.



[First Impressions: Kuching] Old CourtHouse Kch X Commons Kch Thanks to some new friends, this trip to Kuching gave me a completely-different view of my own city. The Kuching Waterfront itself is quite a spectacle, from the new bridge, to the Waterfront Hotel, to the Old Court House, Kuching is really becoming an increasingly-attractive location for the tourist. I will zero-in now on the Old Court House, which surprised me as it has now become a great place to chill. The execution of the interior is absolutely on-par with the cool places in Singapore and Bangkok, though the only complete place so far is probably the Commons Cafe (don't ask me where they got the name from). The familiar name aside, Commons is a place that I had been looking forward to in Kuching. It serves simple food in good portions, has a classy yet relaxing vibe, and welcomes everyone in the family. I was there twice, once at night chatting with friends, and another in the day with my parents and kids. I spent a great afternoon playing board games with my children. If you are there, try their Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, as well as their huge array of quality cakes. I hope Commons continues to improve, especially on their drinks, which can be much much better, especially for the prices they are charging. #oldcourthousekch #commonskch #kuching #kuchingfoodies #kuchingcafehopping #cafe #kuchingwaterfront #strangerinmerokok #strangerfirstimpressionkuching
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5. Keeper's Ground - great cafe inside the best mall in Kuching

Owned by the folks behind Commons, expect the same tasteful execution, cutely nestled at the back of the best mall in town.



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China Street

6. Indah House - perfect for tourists and locals alike

The perfect one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to understand the art and culture of Kuching in a matter of days. Don't leave without trying their Batik cake.



[#makekuchinggreatagain] @indahhousekuching The 3rd cafe on China Street, and probably the most popular one. I do not know whether it's fair to call this a cafe, as Indah House is more like an all-in-one that can provide every visitor a great experience of Sarawak culture. As I wasn't here for the food, what struck me this time was the abundance of art and culture in the little space (they have an event space on the 2nd floor), and the possibilities of the owners arranging a huge array of local tours/experiences for you. Food-wise, they have local dishes, as well as vegan options. One item that has a local following is their batik cake (shown in pics), which is no longer easy to find. Also, during Chinese New Year, they will start selling festive cookies with stunning flavours like Sarawak Laksa. Pinggai, Limatujoh and Indah House form the golden triangle on China Street that will give you an unforgettable afternoon in Kuching. #indahhouse #chinastreet #kuching #sarawak #strangerinmerokok
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7. Pinggai Cafe - A great first exposure to Sarawak native cuisine

Unforgettable Dayak Charsiu, with intoxicating smokiness I've never had before. I am looking forward to trying more dishes at Pinggai.



[First Impressions Kuching] Pinggai Cafe First of 3 cafes on China Street which are bound to make you quite happy. Pinggai is the newest of the 3, and is a legitimate choice for you to have a full meal if you are curious about Sarawakian native cuisine. The Dayak Charsiu (barbeque pork) was especially unforgettable. It has a kind of alluring smokiness that I've never tasted before. The Ayam Pansuh (chicken cooked in bamboo with tapioca leaves), on the other hand, has a clean refined taste that went well with the flavoursome pork. I was also asked to try the smoothie bowl, but had other stops moving forward, so might have to leave it for next time. Lots on the menu still to try, like the dabai fried rice and their signature passion fruit tea + Tuak (native rice wine) 'cocktail'. #makekuchinggreatagain #pinggaicafe #chinastreet #kuchingfood #dayakfood #nativefood #strangerinmerokok #kuching #ayampansuh #dayakroastpork #kuchingcafe #cafehoppingkuching #strangerfirstimpressionkuching
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8. Lima Tujoh - perfect vintage hipster cafe

Stands alone in this list exuding cool vintage character. Also serves local cuisine, including Nasi Lemak and some native dishes, which I have yet to try, watch this space as I am bound to say more once I've tried their food.



[First Impressions Kuching] @limatujoh The 2nd excellent cafe along the short stretch of China Street. Customers usually come here for Nasi Lemak, but after the meal at Pinggai, we only had room for a coffee and toast. Vibe-wise, it's very different from Pinggai, as it exudes a hipster vintage atmosphere. I especially like the corner (shown in pictures attached) where a Peranakan tea set, an old-skool milo cashier tin and Noma's Guide to Fermentation snuggling together. You will not miss the resident cat as well. On to the food, we ordered the Yuan Yang Vietnamese drip, which interestingly, is Vietnamese coffee dripped with black tea! It was pretty pleasant! And the toast was made with home-made pineapple jam, which was a good eat at 3MYR, though we would have preferred more jam to taste it better. It's hard to say much more about food here until I revisit to try their Nasi Lemak. Definitely another great place to chill in Kuching! #makekuchinggreatagain #limatujoh #chinastreet #kuchingfood #dayakfood #vietnamesedripcoffee #strangerinmerokok #kuching #catsofinstagram #kuchingcafe #cafehoppingkuching #strangerfirstimpressionkuching
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Apologies to those excellent cafes in Kuching I have yet to visit (thus impossible to add into this list), please give me your comments after visiting these cafes and let me know if there are any which deserve to be here!

Let's #makekuchinggreatagain.


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