Seng Coffee Bar is a relatively new café that has opened up in the East. It’s in the least likely spot that you would think, and pleasantly surprised us with their food, ambience and services.
Ambience, Service and the Staff
Seng Coffee Bar is in a strip mall on Changi Road. You would be forgiven for missing it entirely. The cafe is obscured by the businesses around it that are nothing like its chic interior. It sits next to a Chinese Zhi Char restaurant (which happens to be owned by the same people).
We didn’t have reservations and walked in at around 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon. One can make reservations via Quandoo (use the referral code DEBASHIS5259JNW for 500 bonus points on your first reservation).
The façade of the café is done in a clean birch finish against a whitewashed wall and white tiles. As you enter, you’re welcomed by the modern interior of the café that is tastefully decorated with a pink-tinged concrete floor, wooden furniture and a green tiled coffee bar.
We were seated immediately and served water. Menus are accessed via a QR code on the tables, and orders are placed at the front counter. The staff were courteous and attentive and came to check on us regularly.
The Food
We were a party of two. We started with coffee – a hot mocha which was well made and strong without being overwhelming. We ordered the roasted cauliflower, the mushroom risotto, and the vongole pasta with fresh clams.
The cauliflower came first – within 5 minutes. It is cooked well without being overdone. The cauliflower is lightly spiced with tumeric and curry leaves, and is crunchy. The risotto followed about 5 minutes later. Both beautifully cooked and presented, it offered a pleasant texture with mild truffle oil overtones. The vongole pasta took a bit of time, but came out ten minutes later. Served with 12 large clams, we were pleasantly surprised on both the quantity and the quality of the preparation. Slightly spiced, this is something the individuals with well developed palates will thoroughly enjoy.
The Price Point
Our meal cost us just under $60. It’s a little on the pricey side, but an amount that I am happy paying given the ambience, quality of food, and the service.
The Final Verdict
Seng Coffee Bar is a hidden gem, and is a café that I would gladly come back to. If you’re in the area and are catching up with friends or coworkers in the middle of the day, its a great place to discuss business over some food. It’s also a great place for a first date, or to catch up with family and friends.
Address: 389 Changi Rd, Singapore 419838.
Phone: +65 6220 3430.
Website: https://sengcoffeebar.sg/
