Cà Phê Sữa Đá or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk

Before we go into the café shops in Ho Chi Minh City, we need to mention the ultimate star. For the ultimate experience of the coffee culture in Saigon, we are all about iced coffee with condensed milk. The best way to have a cup is from a street vendor that is loved by locals. Of course, it is a bonus if the lady has a stand on the side of the busy road or, even better, at the crossing. That way, you’ll enjoy the sweet delight and feel the buzz from the get-go.

What is special about Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk?

Everything starts with coffee beans, in the case of Vietnamese coffee, the Robusta coffee variety. Roast on the beans must range from medium to dark to get the desired intense and more bitter flavor. Afterward, the grinding must be done just right for the drip Phin filter. That means that the grind shouldn’t be too fine as it would clog the filter. However, the coffee should be well pressed into the filter for a slow drip process. Time enables coffee beans to fully develop a body that is rich in flavor. The taste can be described as chocolatey and nutty with vanilla-like properties. Combining it with condensed milk you get the addictive bitter-sweet combination that is just to die for. The brew is strong so don’t get too crazy, even though the second cup sounds very appealing.

Best Cafes in Saigon

It is safe to say that café culture in Ho Chi Minh City is changing rapidly. After all the focus is directed into artisanal passion for the high-quality product. We love the emphasis on the local produce and we hope this never changes.

The Workshop Coffee

The post-industrial look of the bright open space has some inspiring action going on in the middle. At the center, the brewing magic is happening and it is easy to see why it attracts all the looks. It is hard to look away from different brewing tools. Some look quite scientific and precision is easy to find in their coffee-making process. The Focus of The Workshop is on locally grown Arabica coffee in the Da Lat region, which they also roast and blend themselves. The workshop of this café with local coffee in Saigon is in a separate space from the Café. You’ll find both on top of the second floor of the building.

Our Coffee

When we saw the fizzy coffee, we couldn’t resist the temptation. Righteously so, because we loved it! As the name stated, it had tiny buttles that invigorated every sip and enhanced the refreshing fruity notes. We certainly didn’t expect to find such vivid plum and cherry notes in the iced coffee. As expected, our second coffee was also very tasty. It was a white coffee with a pleasing toffee body and hazelnut candy finish.

The Workshop Menu

The interactive menu explains how brewing methods affect the coffee. Then it lists all the coffee beans on offer with listed taste notes and details of each coffee variety. The menu covers food centered around Western influences on breakfast and brunch. Even though the Workshop is all about coffee, you’ll also find fresh juices, chocolate drinks, tea, and more. Can we say that the wall art is also on the menu? Although local artists aren’t directly listed, their artwork is on sale at the Workshop in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

The Fig

Already upon entering, we were in a much calmer state of mind. It is no secret that a natural environment filled with plants and water affects both the body and the soul. Before settling on the shaded outdoor terrace, we entered the Fig restaurant. We loved the natural color scheme with wooden furnishings. Without a doubt, this is one of the top coffee spots in Ho Chi Minh. A place to unwind and savor.

We took pleasure in ordering fresh Vietnamese spring rolls with intensely appetizing peanut sauce. Refreshing rolls were a good base for a fruity mocktail one could easily call compote. We say so because it is full of palmyra and jackfruit chunks and Cao Bang grass jelly cubes. What a refreshing treat! Yes, the coffee was also very good.

Mockingbird Coffee

Up on the 4th floor of an old building from the French era is quite a little spot for café hopping in Ho Chi Minh. At first, we had our doubts when we entered the dark stairways. Yet, we continued our journey toward the light and felt a sigh of relief after every floor. When we stepped on a balcony, we immediately felt like we were visiting an old friend. Perhaps, a little scruffy old friend but certainly hearty and charming. Maybe it was because of the tiny size or the guitar lady, but we felt we could stay there for a while. It could be that this makes Mockingbird Cafe one of the best cafés for digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh. If not that then the homely charm of the interior surely does. Honestly, we enjoyed our iced latte very much and we recommend it.

Cong Caphe

Admittedly, this is a coffee shop chain that you’ll find in about 66 different places. Everywhere you’ll recognize it by the signature military design inspired by the Viet Cong from the 1970 era. Usually, it is a lively space where you can enjoy something to eat and drink. Unquestionably, a must-have is their iced coconut milk coffee. Coconut milk coffee from Cong Caphe delights with a rich exchange of coconut milk and chocolate caramel coffee dimension. A combination that left us gasping for more.

FLY Cupcake Garden

FLY stands for Forever Love You, and we certainly love Cupcake Garden Forever. Both our cupcakes were as tasty as they looked, with pineapple winning the match. Simply because it was perfect in all ways. Starting with pineapple flavored cream flower and additional chunks that landed in the bouncy dough. Attention to the details carried through the interior is reminiscent of the walled garden. Indeed, it is a perfect spot for some fruity mocktails, but we went with coffee. Vietnamese iced coffee tasted fairly nutty and was rather sweet, just the way it ought to be.

38° Flower Market Tea House

As the name suggests, flowers are on sale and the focus is on tea, but that is not it. As it turned out we got a wonderfully tasting Vietnamese iced coffee that scored a balance between sweet and bitter. Since we love tea as well, we had to try their white bubble tea. The scent of jasmine flower went perfectly with milk bubbles that brought a playful texture.

The Interior of the 38° Flower Market Tea House is very chic and offers the perfect backdrop for photos. That is why we think it must be one of the Instagram-worthy cafés in Ho Chi Minh.

Ban Sonate Café

Hidden in a quiet corner of District 3, Ban Sonate Café is where calm and coffee come together in perfect harmony. With warm wooden interiors, classical music softly playing, and leafy views out the window, it feels more like a retreat than a café.

We kicked things off with the signature Vietnamese iced coffee, slow-dripped through a phin and poured over ice with condensed milk. It delivered exactly what we hoped for: bold, bittersweet, and dangerously easy to fall in love with. A pour-over followed, featuring beans from the Central Highlands. Earthy, rich, and just a little peppery, it was a cup worth slowing down for.

Final Thought

If you are asking where to find the best coffee in Saigon, rest assured that you don’t have to search far and wide. Rather, ask what kind of coffee you are after. Is it the famous Vietnamese coffee with ice and condensed milk, classic Italian espresso or are you after the trendy coconut coffee? In the case of something special and unique, we warmly recommend the Workshop, but we are sure that you’ll unexpectedly stumble upon a hidden gem café in Ho Chi Minh City.

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What is a Garden Café?

It is exactly what it sounds like. A Café filled with plants and designed as a garden place where you can enjoy your beverage. Of course, living vegetation is a must, yet we have found some Garden Cafés that opted for convenient artificial greenery instead. Needless to say, plastic plants are a hazard to health and the planet, so they shouldn’t be used extensively. Or at all. Living flora is what makes Garden Café a place for your morning coffee. There are as many types of Garden Cafés as there are plants.

Our Garden Café Experiences

Without fail, we felt an energy boost happen even before we finished our coffee. Maybe the secret lies in the unique atmosphere. Although, simply looking at the vegetation feels good. It doesn’t matter if the plants are potted or growing from the ground. Of course, the outdoor garden has its perks. Think in terms of playful butterflies and chatty birds.

We sure loved them with a light breeze in the shaded garden at the Museum of the Floral Culture. That doesn’t mean that indoor garden cafés aren’t enchanting. Sure they are! When we saw the bottle garden collection at Dan Café in Penang, we had to take a tour before sitting down. We could go on with more stunning places, but what matters is the movement. Hopefully, more people will reconnect with mother nature.

Do Plants Affect People?

The short answer is yes. There have been many studies to support this claim. Arguably the most important finding is that flowers and living greens increase positive energy. As a consequence of that, we get happier and more relaxed, which leads to lowered stress levels. Equally important as general well-being is how plants impact the air quality. Back in 1989 NASA made a famous experiment on air purifying indoor plants and proved that different plants clean different toxins from the air. In addition to removing harmful chemicals from the air, plants convert carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen through photosynthesis. We can have a debate on how many plants you need for the effect, but we say better some than none.

Final Thought

We all know it; being in nature is good for the mind and the body. However, when that isn’t possible, we can enjoy the green company at home. Potted plants can be happy and help us cross the bridge to a better tomorrow. Nowadays, it seems that we are at a crossroads. Eighter, we follow the path of natural laws or try the parallel world in years to come. Garden Cafés are a fantastic example of both. They can serve as a place where human creativity can be tested, while new knowledge opens a door into a neglected universe. To end this post, please check our blog in the future and see the reviews of garden cafes we have visited.

The post Garden Café Should Be Your Coffee Place appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Pollen Baked Goods

Pollen Baked Goods is a rustic bakery where one can pick tasty pastries for later, or enjoy them immediately with a cup of coffee or tea. We loved the large display of Canadian-inspired goods, including bread. Also, the changing offer and scrumptious bites are a guarantee for more than one visit. A possible second reason is charming tableware that makes everything taste better. In addition to the tasty baked goods, the staff is very friendly, making the experience even better.

On our visit, we tried the soft doughnut with white chocolate glaze that tastes like a million dollars. Then we had a taste of lovely chocolate cherry tart that delivered all the textural and flavourful promises. Finally, we stopped at the scrumptious cookies which were perfect next to a coffee and hot chocolate dip.

Opening Times

Every day except Mondays from 9:00 am – 5 pm 

INK & LION Café

Bright industrial space is perfect for the continuous art exhibitions that happen at the INK & LION Café. One might think that art is left on the walls, but if you are like us, you know that creativity has a place on the table as well. In fact, we loved the unique coasters made by Miss Kanjanabat that can be bought on spot. Besides art pieces, guests can also buy coffee beans for home brewing.

Actually, we can say that coffee is part of the art collection at the INK & LION Café made with care from start to finish. One can choose from different types of brews and appreciate the changing flavor as a result. We absolutely loved the strong flavor of Thai-Brazillian blended ice coffee and were thrilled by the detailed menu. With such a menu we got what we wanted; balanced nuttiness with a chocolate aftertaste. As a second drink, we had to taste honey-sweetened Ella milk tea by Mali Ateli. We liked the rounded flavors of mellow red tea that reached floral notes with modest honey addition. If you’ll order at the counter, you’ll see cute little cakes and macarons from the Size S Coffee & Bakery.

Opening Times

Weekday 8am – 4pm -> Closed : Wed, Thu

Weekend 9am – 5pm

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The Blooming Gallery

In general, The Blooming Gallery is about the blossoms, although don’t expect proper thriving plants. That is to say, some have lost the color and will look better after a solid dusting. Nevertheless, space has a romantic vibe we were expecting to find. Another thing we hoped for were tasty treats, which delivered in looks and taste.

We tried the lavender scones and red velvet cake. Both were served warm and included a surprise element. It is hard to say what we liked more. Was it a touch of lavender essential oil in scones or white chocolate filling in the center of a cupcake? It depended on the beverage. We preferred the scones with their house-blended tea named Coffee Lovers, starring vanilla-flavored black tea. Indeed, the bitter aftertaste was coffee-like, but understandably much lighter on a pallet. Since this is a review of the best cafes in Bangkok, we had to taste the coffee and were delighted with the nutty notes in their espresso.

Opening Times

Daily from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Ha Tien Cafe

Indeed, the interior of Ha Tien Cafe is photogenic, but it pushes the boundaries of good taste. What I mean by that is the display of preserved birds, which are indeed beautiful, but at the same time sad to look at. That is true if you are perceptive of things, but if you are fond of taxidermy, you’ll love every bit of Ha Tien Café.

Our thing to look at was the irresistible cake display where everything was propper eye candy. As it turned, their lavish chocolate cake tastes as good as it looks. However, when we tried the blueberry cheese pie, we could taste the conventional powders that disappointed us. Luckily, we had coffee to clean the pallet from the powdery cream. Especially efficient was the espresso with an aftertaste ranging from sour to bitter. Another thing that bothered us was the single-use plastic cups for all iced drinks no matter where you happen to enjoy them.

Opening Times

Daily from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Pompano Roasted Cafe

The vintage furniture showroom at the Camp Vintage Flea Market was crowded every time we passed it. No wonder people herd inside the Pompano Roasted Cafe to see the constantly changing interior but also to enjoy a treat. When it comes to the desserts, we didn’t find any menu, just nameless pieces on the sandwich stand. Given that the place was too crowded for basic “what are this” questions so we stuck to coffee. In addition to that, we weren’t seduced by the basic-looking cakes and were appalled by the single-use cups for all cold drinks.

Therefore, we had a cup of hot latte and hot long black coffee, made from their house blend of Thai and Indonesian beans. The blend is known for its acidic kick, which tastes like coffee cherries. Let’s not forget to mention their signature chocolate drink for those who are after the sweet punch and broad craft beer collection.

Met Cafe

A deep blue facade with potted flowers draws attention from far away due to the calming effect. The moment we closed the doors we left the buzzing street behind and were drawn to the floral centerpiece. The open-space design keeps the chill on the bottom and invites guests to explore the store above. Even though the shopping is optional we are all for the idea of going over the pile with a drink or bite before buying it.

At Met Café you’ll find a graphic menu full of Thai and Western food. Besides that, you’ll find also ice cream, cakes and our goal, coffee. Ian’s espresso had quite an acidic kick, but it vanished on the way down leaving a pleasantly buttery aftertaste. Milk in my coffee soothed the sourness and presented similar flavors one can find in French croissants. 

Opening Times

Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 am – 9 pm

Map of 6 Cafes in Bangkok You Should Visit

The post 6 Cafes in Bangkok Every Coffee Lover Should Visit appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Kuala Lumpur is a huge city and new coffee shops are opening on a daily basis

Our stay in this big city was short, but we managed to get a few outstanding coffees. On many occasions, it felt like the baristas are aware that with sharing the knowledge, they were getting the people to appreciate the coffee even more. There are so many cafés, some were good and others were so-so. Read on and you’ll find out more about which ones stuck with us. Maybe you will get an idea of where to get your next cup off good coffee when in Kuala Lumpur.

Baristas are trying their best to make us amazingly good coffee

VCR

We came here early in the morning. To our surprise, it was already packed and we were lucky enough to find an available table. The decoration looks industrial with a lot of light. We found it pleasant and there was a small terrace as well. Despite the crowd, the staff was very friendly. When we wanted to know more about their methods, the barista easily explained everything. The special procedure takes two days and consists of cold water slowly dropping on crushed Ethiopian coffee beans, making for a delightful cold brew. The taste of it is smoother and we could taste the subtle chocolate flavor with almonds and roasted peanuts.

To be honest VCR cafe doesn’t have a nice view, but you will get a nice coffee for sure!

Interior at VCR cafe is much nicer though.

There was almost no acidity, just a strong old-fashioned brew. What we found interesting was that it had a slight metallic taste but in a pleasant and cooling way. The flat white with a double shot of Ethiopian medium roast was our second choice. It had a more intense flavor and the milk pairing was great here. The coffees were completely different but each was delicious in its own way. With the cakes looking so delicious in their display, we had to try at least one and their signature item, the King, was spot on.

The best way to start your day: cold brew, flat white and king cake at VCR cafe Kuala Lumpur

King cake at VCR cafe was delicious. Just right juicy and sweet to enjoy it with our coffee

The fluffy dough was made with chocolate and was filled with gently marinated bananas and peanut butter cream, which also covered the cake, making it even moister. Can we recommend this café? If you are a good coffee lover than absolutely, yes. If you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy your coffee with a book, then probably not.

At VCR cafe KL they have a feeling for interior design. These lights are pretty much amazing.

Prices at VCR

Cold brew: 3.60 USD
The flat white: 2.60 USD
The King cake: 3.40 USD

Looks like we fell in love with their lights here at VCR

The Leaf & Co. Cafè

The Leaf & Co. Cafè is our another recommendation for Cafes in KL you should visit.  This cafe can easily be considered a second home to hipsters, with its raw industrial look paired with shabby furniture and good coffee. The spacious place was quiet, with an open space in the middle. There was a nice contrast of a green tree and a brick background.

Brick wall makes a difference in ambient.

The light shining inside through the opening lights up the gray striped walls. In sync with the flooring is the old furniture, making us feel like time had slowed down. To remain in a tropical mood between the cold walls, we ordered a cold coconut latte and a true classic, espresso.

The wall at The Leaf & Co. Cafè has a great effect. You don’t need much, just an idea.

The espresso was very strong and quite winey, made from medium roasted Arabica coffee beans. It had flavors of berries with some citrus and still a lot of nuttiness. It was basically a neat drink, unlike the coconut latte, which wasn’t really what we were expecting. Instead of real coconut milk, it was made with coconut syrup, which sweetened the drink and gave it a taste of coconut. Still, it was an enjoyable drink that paired well with the Kaya toast we ordered. The Kaya jam is the king in this bite: it is a creamy coconut spread made from coconut milk and eggs.

Our order was a classic: Kaya toast and Coffee

That on toasted slices of bread is a popular snack in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. If you have the chance, get it with your coffee. Our impression of this café? Great ambiance, pretty good espresso and nice food. The only downside were the cocky waiters, but it isn’t reason enough for us to shy away from this palace in the future. We recommend.

Details are always welcome at cafes. This one at The Leaf & Co. Cafè is simple but nice.

And this is how decorative wall looks.

Prices in The Leaf & Co. Cafè

Cold coconut latte: 3.25 USD
Espresso: 1.45 USD
Kaya toast: 1.70 USD

Alive tree at The Leaf & Co. Cafè looks amazing

PULP by Papa Palheta

From all the cafés we visited, the PULP by Papa Palheta was my favorite: the coffee tasted the best there and the place was one that I just didn’t want to leave. The ambiance is really welcoming and the design encourages you to walk around. This was previously the paper-cutting space for the nearly 50-year-old Art Printing Works factory & storehouse.

It’s a nice ambient here at PULP by Papa Palheta. The industrial feeling is great. After all previously was here the paper-cutting space for Art Printing Works factory & storehouse.

Old machines are today not only an ornament but also a convenient table.

No photos can be taken of this place, security ran on us before our first photo. The inside of the café is nice but packed. This place is more full than Tokyo’s subway. The interior is rich with an old paper pulping machine, which doubles as a table. You can find a lot of their coffee products to buy.

Coffee lab at PULP by Papa Palheta. Here they hold also coffee workshops and coffee tasting classes.

There is also a tasting table where you can sample coffees and smell different beans. At the order table, you have written guidance, so you can easily find something to suit your mood. Everything here is about making the guest happy and indeed we were, despite the lack of WI-FI. We had a flat white coffee and a San Antonio Chaguite (naturally processed) drip brew.

Barista at PULP by Papa Palheta was well educated and super nice.

Brew my coffee, please.

The yummy flat white coffee was made from medium roasted Ethiopian coffee beans and it went delicious well with the caramel pecan pie. The crunchy pecan nuts had a gentle taste that let the coffee shine through. We easily tasted bright acidity and a medium but silky body. However, the lemon brûlée tart was the second mouthwatering bite, which we choose to have with the San Antonio Chaguite.

At PULP by Papa Palheta certainly know how to do a late art.

The tart had intense sweet and sour taste and its citrusy aroma matched the coffee. The rich blueberry with chocolate taste was top notch, its gentle acidity provided nice flush to clear the sugar from the tart and its complex taste was deeply satisfying.

Pouring of fresh Drip coffee is always an exciting moment. This time we choose San Antonio Chaguite.

Caramel pecan pie at PULP was delicious and fairly nutty. Perfect match for our flat white coffee.

This coffee was special and at PULP, they make an effort in making and presenting it well. They take things very seriously here. If you are a coffee enthusiast, this is a must-visit place in Kuala Lumpur.

This lemon brûlée tart at PULP was one of the best tarts we ever had.

Prices in PULP by Papa Palheta

Flat white coffee: 2.90 USD
San Antonio Chaguite: 4.30 USD
Caramel pecan pie: 3.60 USD
The lemon brûlée tart: 2.90 USD

(X) COFFEE in the ISETAN shopping mall

On the third floor of the Japanese shopping mall, ISETAN, is (X) COFFEE. This was a Japanese roasting stand that we were looking forward to visiting the most. The precision of the Japanese in everything they do filled us with many expectations. However, we were deeply disappointed even before we got to taste the coffee. The coffee was served in plastic mugs: we can’t get over that, even though they were the reusable kind.

Stairs to heaven? Here at Isetan to coffee more likely.

Plastic is a material we hate and it surely doesn’t add to the experience. Just holding a plastic mug gives Vivi goosebumps, not to mention leaking chemicals into the drink. There is also a difference in the taste of coffee when you drink it from a plastic cup. And if we mention a price, at almost $22 for a cup, you know everything. The coffee was good – overpriced, but good.

They have a bookstore here and many other Japanese items.

Barista at (X) COFFEE in the ISETAN was nice very punctual.

The Nicaragua Limoncillo was citrusy and buttery. The Juan Ramron Geisha from Costa Rica had a complex fruity taste, of mango, peach and blueberry. The coffee taste is very mellow and you can find a lot of similarity with fruit juice more than coffee. What we liked at this open café was that it was in the middle of a bookstore and we were able to borrow a book while we had coffee.

A slow drip of Geisha coffee.

There are many interesting reads and in the end, you can also buy the one you like. All in all, this is a relaxing place, where no one will force you out even if you sit there for a little longer than it takes to drink your coffee. There is a lack of desserts and normal cups, but your coffee will be good.

We tried Geisha coffee here at (X) COFFEE in Kuala Lumpur. For this price, I would except normal cup, not a plastic one!

Prices in (X) COFFEE

Nicaragua Limoncillo: 4.30 USD
The Juan Ramron Geisha from Costa Rica: 22 USD

Switch

We stopped in at Switch because there was a rumor about their delicious cakes. At this place, we started off on a bad foot, because we couldn’t find it, but we kept trying. Once we finally found it, we weren’t sure that we would enjoy our time there, because it just wasn’t what we expected. It looks more like a temporary solution for quick coffee rather than a nice café. It wasn’t a coffee shop inside a mall, but only a few tables with a preparation place in the hall of a shopping mall. Our purpose isn’t to judge before we try so we had a coconut lychee cake and a Valrhona salted caramel.

This is a lychee Coconut cake at Switch cafe KL. It was delicious, only a bitt too sour.

The coconut lychee had a surprisingly buttery topping, with good lychee flavor. It was a nice creamy cake with chiffon pastry and crunchy coconut. The caramel cake had a nice sponge, which was actually the best part. What we didn’t like was the sour taste of cream. The salted caramel and chocolate tastes were very present, but the sourness prevented us from enjoying it. If the artisanal cake shop would offer some intimacy or charm, we’d be much happier there.

Salted Caramel Japanese Cheesecake was better, but a nice ambient was missing though.

Prices in Switch

Lychee Coconut: 3.10 USD
Salted Caramel Japanese Cheesecake: 3.20 USD

Cafes in KL are thrilling

Surely there are plenty of awesome cafés that we didn’t get to visit, but it was enough to feel the trendy coffee culture here in Kuala Lumpur. That’s why we heartily encourage you to try something else than just hotel coffee: go to a place where the main focus is on making the best possible coffee. A broad range of coffee brings new flavors to the popular drink and with its growing popularity, people will keep developing it. Every step matters and it starts with growing the bean, processing and then roasting it till the final step, the preparation. There is passion and the sky is the limit!

It’s not only about the coffee machine when making a good coffee!

Cafes in KL map

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The place is already nice even though it is still evolving. Exterior with a distressed brown and blue wood looks totally shabby. By the way, that wood was brought down from Chiang Mai. In addition, it was a part of an old house and now it has a totally different purpose. Large windows let in plenty of light, which makes space warm.

Not only that. It enables you to see straight through to the neighboring house, where they make the chocolate. The production house is also a shop, where you can buy the sweet delights. All the chocolate samples we had there were excellent. They use 70% cocoa and all the other ingredients are organic and local.

Kad Kokoa is First “Beans to Bar” Place in BKK

They are new in town and actually the first “beans to bar” café in Bangkok. They focus on Thai cocoa beans here, and, interestingly enough, they can grow everywhere in Thailand. Not only in the beautiful hills with perfect morning fog and clouds, but also in lower standing places. For this reason, this brings character and differentiation to the cocoa and we were astonished by the contrast in samples. It was difficult to choose our favorites because they are all so delicious.

We were talking to one of the workers there and he has a lot of knowledge about chocolate. He explained to us the process of fermentation and the way they produce chocolate. From what we’ve heard and seen, we can attest that Kad Kokoa produces high-end chocolate and nothing they do is left to chance.

In Asia, dark chocolate is not very popular, but lately, chocolate is becoming trendy and locals are getting more familiar with this sophisticated delicacy. Here at Kad Kokoa, they offer a great guide to this food from the heavens. For those with genuine interest and a passion for everything gourmet, this is the place to go.

Every day we go, we learn something new, the information available here are abundant. All things considered, we even had the privilege to try cocoa honey for the first time.

Cocoa Honey

In a word, this honey is extremely rare and very unique. In the beginning, the dulcet taste is intense and its complexity can really be felt. Full-bodied would be a simple description of it. Talking about full-bodied, this honey was reminding us of wine. We could taste some flowery notes and fruitiness at the back, but its woody overtones reminded us of maple syrup. The taste is more like a fermented drink than honey. The acidity is present, nicely integrated. It is completely different from any honey we have ever tasted.

Chocolate Afternoon “Tea”

Back at the café, we decided to have a chocolate version of high tea. We turned to the hot milk chocolate and iced pure dark. For the chocolate drinks, they use their own chocolate ganache, which they mix with milk. The iced pure dark isn’t just for chocolate lovers but also for those who like coffee or refreshing drinks. It is not too sweet, it is rich in flavor and it is actually surprisingly refreshing.

Bangkok is extremely hot and this drink is spot on for that climate. Vivi likes hot beverages more, so she gave a chance to hot chocolate milk, presented with beautiful latte art on top.  In summary, her drink was very tasty with tart notes and rich sweetness. You could taste also some nutty flavor mixed with berries in a creamy texture.

Heaven. What we liked the most was that the chocolate drinks weren’t too heavy and we felt great after consuming them. We wouldn’t even mind having seconds.

All the desserts are made on location, only the Pain Au Chocolat is made at a nearby bakery. This pastry was delicious, crunchy and had a luscious filling of Kad Kokoa’s single origin chocolate.

The link to the afternoon tea was their homemade scones. One was with lemon zest and other with chocolate. Scones are a demanding pastry and the bakers here just need a little more practice to perfect the scone craft. In addition, the texture was too crumbly and the taste was odd. However, the chocolate one was better, especially when we added their jam. Even with the jam, it was still just all about the chocolate – we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Flavored Chocolate

They not only produce chocolate and pastries, but also chocolate bonbons filled with different flavors. Vivi’s favorite was the orange candy, where the middle was filled with orange zest.  Then again the second one had a filing of single malt Glenmorangie Signet Whisky: the whisky was trivial in the back and the chocolate ganache in the foreground. The perfect bon-bon! The last one we tried was the Thai tea flavor, it was special as well. The strong flavor of Thai tea works well with dark chocolate. We liked that the bonbons weren’t too sweet, not even Thai tea.

Thai tea and chocolate made a comeback with our beloved macarons. The first one was the Thai tea macaron with its renowned taste that quickly melted away. The chocolate one was just perfect. How could it not be, with airy meringue and luscious chocolate filling? We ended our chocolate frenzy with zesty yuzu macaron that left us in a state of bliss.

Conclusion

Our entire experience here contributed to that feeling, and if you would like to feel the same, we urge you to visit Kad Kokoa the next time you find yourself in BKK. We will not be surprised if they have a successful branch the next time we return to Bangkok. The quality is a warranty for success and so is their passion for chocolate. All of the above, that is why Kad Kokoa is our number one on our “The Best Chocolate Bar in Bangkok” list.

Kad Kokoa Review Card

• 9.2/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.2/10
  SERVICE – 9.2/10
• 9.7/10
  CHOCOLATE SELECTION – 9.7/10
• 8.8/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.9/10
• 9/10
  BITES – 9/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

Price and Location

Chocolate afternoon “tea” we had will cost you about $25. Here is a link to a location, in case you would like to try it out.

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A good cup of coffee is always appreciated

Coffee is a beverage we like to have a few times a day (if you hadn’t picked up on this after reading some of our posts…), sometimes even with dessert. When we were walking around George Town, Malaysia, we saw many beautiful cafes, if only we had more time to visit them all. Limited time and coffee consumption forced us to narrow our choices down to the few, so keep reading to find out which places convinced us to give them a shot.

At Dan Cafe, you can find interesting bottle gardens.

All sorts of it.

1. Dan Cafe

A few meters down the road from E&O Hotel is the Dan Cafe, where the lush green plants surround the main doors on both sides. This micro outdoor oasis is a place where you can share a table with friends and enjoy the contrast of plants and concrete. The indoor space is where the magic happens, on more than one level. Here you can find beautiful bottle gardens and various plants.

Bottle garden.

The main reason we came here was the coffee, but we got something more, as the entire cafe is an expo of beautiful pot plants and terrariums! I was fascinated by the lush green color everywhere, from the flourishing plants to the matcha desserts. The matcha tea lava cake lived up to the expectations and the matcha taste was well present; the Matcha affogato was Ian’s choice.

The matcha tea lava cake looks delicious.

Order like this is always a good morning sign.

The combination of hot Matcha sauce and melting vanilla ice cream resulted in what resembled marble in each scoop. The flavors were nicely joined in both desserts and even the Matcha itself being a stimulant, we still enjoyed our coffee on the side. The medium roasted Ethiopian coffee they use is of the highest quality, which is obvious at the first sip.

Vanilla ice cream with matcha sauce.

I know what to do!

The complex and fruity flavor blends well with the aroma of roasted coconut and nuts. The beautiful green mugs they serve the coffee in were also another element that contributed to the pleasant experience.

We can sit here for ages.

And watch micro forests

2. Ome by Spacebar

Ome was a cafe that we found in the less crowded part of George Town. The alley leading to this place is quite nice, and there is a massive climbing plant right near the entrance – it caught our attention and that’s how we found this jewel. The old building is a charming place, with the red brick walls and narrow spaces where art exhibitions take place.

The entrance looks promising.

Interior is cute at the same pace.

The devoted owners look after the guests with passion and we were happy to learn new things during our time there, about their signature homemade goods and about coffee. They keep things interesting by mixing the coffee quite often. When we were there, they had a medium roasted blend of coffee which was half Ethiopian and half Guatemalan.

The coffee here is an A grade! The espresso with well-balanced acid taste, chocolate tones and we could smell hazelnuts and leather.

You can also check some art pieces here.

The espresso had a well-balanced bitter and acid taste with chocolate tones, and we could smell hazelnuts and leather. The flat white was absolutely delicious with a hazelnut and chocolate taste and a perfect latte art creation. Since the coffee was so delicious, we decided to give the Nitro coffee a go. The gentle drink had a fruity taste with pleasant bubbles, and on the palate, you could taste apples and peaches.

Hipster cafe probably.

While we had fun with our coffee, we were sitting at a big table which had air plants incorporated into the wood crack. This cafe is a place where everything is spot on and still very cozy. The only downvote is a lack of desserts, but they are still fresh!

Ahhh details, everywhere. I love it!

3. Awesome Canteen at Sekeping Victoria

The Canteen is decorated in an industrial style, where the polished concrete is mixed with plants and natural light. The design is tastefully put together to ensure a pleasant environment. Industrial places are known not to be the quietest ones and the loud kitchen ventilator contributes to the real industrial experience.

The canteen at Sekeping Victoria has a true industrial interior.

Raw!

One of the drinks we choose at this place was a Black Tonic, which was nice and refreshing. The tonic sweetened it just enough and we still got the nice acidic taste from the coffee. The other one was Espresso, which turned out to be a bad choice, as it was too sour to be drinkable. When we shared the problem with the bartender, he made another one, which was a bit better.

Espresso was extremely acidic.

No water?

Even though the character of the Ethiopian coffee is to have those sour notes, the sourness took over and it just made the coffee a bad one. Despite the second coffee being better, it still wasn’t the type of coffee you enjoy and sip slowly. We really missed the water with our coffee despite the fact that we asked for it; looks like the practice here is different and a coffee order isn’t automatically accompanied by a glass of water.

Probably just a rough day for barista.

But anyway, if you like the industrial style or you are looking for ketogenic food with your coffee – this is the place for you. And hopefully, they will change their coffee when you get there 😉

4. China House

This is an amusing house and must be the longest one in the world… Literally, you enter on one street and exit on the other street, going through an entire block! The longhouse is a heaven for cake lovers, with so many cakes available it’s difficult to choose just one. Here, the delicious smell coming from the kitchen was present in the narrow hallway. Not to mention the cakes on display, which looked just perfect.

China House might be the longest cafe in the world.

Going through it is an interesting adventure.

Cakes are in high demand here, so the lush offer is fresh. When we were here, the place was packed – don’t forget, this is the longest cafe/eatery/gallery in Penang! In China House, guests can choose from three separate menus for a bite, before the cake and coffee time comes. We like that you can retreat from the crowded space into the library and chill a little.

A huge selection of cakes. We haven’t tried all though, but those we did, were delicious.

Especially this one!

Our favorite place was the open space in the middle of the China House, with interesting wall paintings – maybe the preference is based on the lighting because a few of the spaces in the café are quite dark. Even so, we had a nice time here and enjoyed our morning coffee, which was pleasantly nutty.

In the middle of the house is a garden area.

If you will get to there 🙂

5. Bricklin Cafe & Bar

This is a cute place close to the Sunday Pop-up Market, where the industrial style meets the homey feel. Here Ian had a rich espresso where the acidity was well balanced, with some nutty flavors and green apples at the back of the palate. Beautiful latte art was resting on top of the flat white, which we liked very much.

Coffee pleasant, Pecan cake delicious,…

We also had a luscious slice of salty caramel cake with pecans: we really liked the combination of the creamy glaze and crunchy pecans on top of the firm pastry. Salty caramel took everything to another level and made it a top-notch dessert. The only downside to this place were the plastic forks: why???

And “disposable” plastic forks??? C’ mon.

BONUS: Merry Me

On a hot day, we came to this place with the intention of cooling down with some ice cream as a dessert. The idea worked immediately as we were cold even before our order came to the table. The AC was extremely cold, so cold that some hot chocolate would have been better than ice cream. However, we love ice cream and when we saw the Gula Melaka ice cream we didn’t think twice.

The decoration is nice here.

Vivi fell for the Very Berry croffle with Gula Melaka and the passion fruit ice cream – this combination was very nice for the eyes with the fruit decoration and sweet chocolate crumble. The ice creams were very tasty as well. The Gula Melaka taste made us very happy. The smooth ice cream was a nice combination with the crunchy croffle.

Especially if you are unicorn fan.

Vivi’s croffle at Marry me

Croffle?

Croffle is a puzzle word for a pressed croissant into the shape of a waffle. Ian’s choice was a Premium Fusion Ice, which enchanted us by its looks. The photo of the smoke coming from beneath the dessert looked magical. His ice cream choice was a matcha, and he also had a Macaroon and Osmanthus Jelly: the ice cream was delicious and the best part of this dessert.

A lot of smoke.

But not much of taste. Ok, matcha ice cream was good!

The Macaroon was too hard and the Osmanthus Jelly was pretty much tasteless. It was rather disappointing and Ian would have been much happier with just three scoops of ice cream. For drinks, we were after some exotic mocktails to take a rest from our eternal coffee hunt. The refreshing pink grapefruit and yuzu was my choice, it looked nice in a jar and it was very tasty.

Cold drinks for a hot day.

The second drink was the Lemon-Rose drink: it was nice with an intense rose flavor. All in all, this is a nice place with the slogan: “Happiness in every scoop”. With that ice creams, for sure!

Vivi’s order wins!

MAP of cafes in Georgetown, Penang

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Conclusion

It's not a secret we are in love with Georgetown, Penang. Especially in their coffee places. Here you can find much more nice places with good coffee, than in Kuala Lumpur. But anyway, if you will be in Kuala Lumpur as well, you might check these coffee shops.

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The post 5 cafes in Penang you should visit + BONUS appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

You don’t need a brand new inventory for your place to shine. Some old chairs and bad looking tables can do the trick. Even the style of the chairs and tables is not important. You can just gather together as much as you can. The place can be even an old factory facility or an old house. Some abandoned places that were out of order for a long time, without any maintenance. There is no need to paint a wall since the old rustic look is this one you want. In pursuing this style the owner can spare a lot of money and focus on the quality of the service. Of course, that doesn’t apply to all the countries. In Europe, it would be very difficult to open a place like this, due to all regulations and HACCP standards. But anyway, there are places on this earth, where this is a less complicated option.

But how can a ramshackle place become a zen place? Well, let say it that way. In a lot of places with this style, you get the best drinks and amazing food.  They put a lot of effort into making perfect hipster coffee, so I guarantee in this type of shops you will get your best cuppa. The music is usually great and chilled out. Some indie melody puts you in another dimension while you drink kick-ass coffee made by an excellent barista. However, there is an important criterion that needs to be fulfilled for this peaceful event. The cleanliness is the key.

Sure I like a homy feeling and laid back atmosphere when I drink my favorite beverage. But first of all, make it clean. I can notice if something is there for style or because someone was sloppy. Beyond doubt, it’s super cool to see some old items as decoration. But a thumb layer dust just doesn’t belong there. In Melaka, we were in a coffee shop, which used to be very good. It had great food and smashing coffee. The place is called Kaya Kaya Cafe and it’s on the busy street known for tourist buzz – the Yonker walk.

Which by the way is not a great walk anyway. It’s a busy street with a traffic ambient noise. If it would become a pedestrian zone the picture would be completely different. Anyway, at first sight, this coffee place is a nice looking one. Especially with their open courtyard at the back, with some great graffiti on the wall. We ordered a coffee and some passion fruit juice. The drinks were fine, but the place was a real mess. The tables were dirty, dust was everywhere and on the floor, we even found a dog poop.

I doubt it was the decoration. All around the place was standing water and mosquitos had their piece of heaven in that little bistro. All this dirty atmosphere chased us away with the help of the mosquito army. No food order, just drink and run. After ten minutes and five insect bites later we were standing outside. So here is the epilog: Sure, you can have some rustic, hipster-style place. Just make sure it’s clean and without unnecessary decorations. The great examples were in Penang. There we found so many nice hipster coffee shops with coffee on the top level.

Thank you for reading. Tune with us for some great tips, reviews or ideas. We’re getting close to Penang, one of the best cities here in Malaysia. The food there is just amazing and cafes, bars or restaurants there are photogenic more than Gisele Bundchen. And for the end one hipster coffee joke.

Why did the hipster burn his tongue? Because he drank his coffee before it was cool.

The post There is a difference between Hipster Coffee Shop and just being sloppy appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.