Great news for coffee aficionados, the famous Omotesando Koffee from Tokyo has officially opened in Singapore. Those of you hankering after a cuppa from this highly acclaimed Japanese import can now get their caffeine fix at the shop’s debut Singapore outlet at Downtown Gallery.
We first reported the news of the opening of Omotesando Koffee back in April 2017 and boy are we glad that it is finally in Singapore.
For those of you who are new to the brand, what you can look forward to at this artisanal coffee bar is their high-quality espresso-based beverages. Their first and only outlet in Singapore features a myriad of caffeinated beverages from matcha based drinks to a good old latte so whether you have a burning passion for artisanal brews or not, Omotesando Koffee is a spot worth checking out.
Hailing from Shibuya in Tokyo, the cafe first opened up as a quaint pop-up store in a traditional Japanese house in Omotesando’s residential area in 2011. Word spread quickly as this little takeaway coffee stop quickly gained a strong following among hipsters for its artisanal brews—unfortunately, in 2015, the Japanese house (machiya) got torn down and along with Omotesando Koffee.
Earlier this year, the acclaimed coffee shop reopened in Shibuya and has since expanded to other parts of Japan, Hong Kong and now in Singapore!
The brand’s opening here is a partnership between Hong Kong-born Russell Stradmoor, 28, director and franchising owner of Omotesando Koffee, and Mr Junny Lee, 34, founder of The Work Project—a Singapore-based co-working space operator with a branch in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
When it comes to their coffee beans, the way that it is treated can greatly enhance (or compromise) the flavour of your brew. In fact, it’s the brewing methods that tend to be the hallmark of a great artisan coffee.
Here at Omotesando Koffee, their methodology lies in two things: its signature cube-framed bar which houses their baristas and their precise approach to brewing coffee. Beans from Melbourne are roasted in Kyoto by the Ogawa Coffee Roasters, with each blend following specific steps for brewing to bring out the best flavours.
Their espresso is hand-dripped slowly at a controlled temperature to ensure that all the oils and essences from the beans are absorbed to the best of its ability. The end result is a full-bodied cup of coffee that is sure to make anyone’s day.
Their Cafe Latte Doppio (S$5.50) is brewed with their very own house brand of coffee beans. The initial sip is fairly balanced but after a few seconds what you are left with is a subtle fruity note that pleasantly coats your entire mouth. There is mild acidity to it, but the milk really helps to balance it out.
All in all, a delicate brew that makes for a good start to a typical workday.
The Iced Cappuccino (S$7.50) is much more unique than your typical cafe brew. The milk itself is blended beforehand to aerate it. After it is served, give it a few seconds and watch as the surface starts to bubble and foam up. The beverage itself was light and airy, making it easy to drink even for non-coffee experts.
With Omotesando Koffee now open in Downtown Gallery, coffee drinkers will soon have a new go-to cafe for their caffeine fix, which is never bad news for our coffee-cultured society.
Omotesando Koffee Singapore
6 Shenton Way, #04-09
The Work Project Downtown,
Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068809
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
“Their espresso is hand-dripped slowly…” *picture shows La Marzocco Strada* — the quality of writing in this article is in line with Singapore journalism (I’ll let you decide what that means). Was this a paid review? Because it seems like you’re blowing a whole lot of smoke up someone’s ass.