Café Gyoen relocates from Serangoon to Maxwell, now specialises in matcha

This Japanese café took the internet by storm last year, with tons of guests flocking to its bathroom. Yes, you heard that right, Café Gyoen’s bathroom bears an uncanny resemblance to Tokyo’s subway stations, even including ‘directions’ to the Oedo and Ginza lines. But beyond photo-worthy backdrops, the café serves up hearty teishoku sets – Japan’s answer to the English big breakfast, featuring tamago, miso soup, and adorable mini onigiris. 

Unfortunately, just short of a year since opening, it announced the end of its lease at Serangoon Gardens, citing an increase in rent that “makes it impossible” to continue operating in the space. Its last day at Serangoon is June 7. This adds to the list of local brands that recently decided to shutter due to rental hikes, including beloved homegrown bakery Flor Patisserie. 

Thankfully, this isn’t goodbye – as of May 1, Café Gyoen has relocated to a new space in Maxwell, where it has rebranded as a specialty matcha and coffee bar. The new Club Street location is right in the heart of town, making it even more convenient to get to. 

Design-wise, Café Gyoen Matcha Bar swaps out the all-white aesthetic at the Serangoon outlet in favour of cosy wooden furnishings and leather seats. You’ll also see a bar counter where you can watch the baristas whisk up matcha right in front of you. Try the signature matcha flight ($21), comprising three kinds of matcha from different regions like Kagoshima, Mie, and Uji. Take-home tins are also available for purchase. 

And if you’re not quite used to the earthy – and some say grassy – taste of matcha, you can go for sweeter variations like strawberry matcha ($8) and five other iced options (from $7.50), or pick from seven other drinks on the menu, including coffee.

In the food department, you’ll find new additions like softshell crab egg mayo focaccia sando ($21.90); spicy rosé ebi udon ($23.90); and wagyu don with onsen egg ($26.90). And for fans of the teishoku sets, they’re here to stay, with eight protein options on the menu, including Hokkaido pork, softshell crab, wagyu hamburg, and more.

Both the Club Street and Serangoon Garden outlets of Café Gyoen will be running concurrently from now till June 7, so here’s your chance to visit its original digs in the East while you still can.

The new Café Gyoen Matcha Bar is open on Mondays and Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 9pm, at 87 Club Street, Singapore 069455. 

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