Buah keluak is a common ingredient found in Nonya recipes. But over at Asylum Coffeehouse, the flavours of the poisonous nut comes reimagined into a novel, aromatic blend that is used to brew up cups of joe instead. The café takes cues from its location, on the first floor of a Peranakan shophouse at Jalan Besar, to serve up a modern menu inspired by tradition.
Enter the white-clad space, and sip on espresso-based drinks made using the house-special four-bean Keluak blend. Its full-bodied notes of nuttiness and chocolate are best brought out in a mocha ($6) to yield a rich, bold cuppa. For fruitier notes, the rotating selection of pour-overs might feature the floral Colombia ($7) and Brazil ($8) with hints of caramel and passionfruit.
Beyond the beans, Asylum Coffeehouse elements of local culture also come through in other parts of the café, such as the crockery which is supplied by Mud Rock Ceramics.
Those feeling hungry should grab the Cubano ($16), where grilled bread comes stuffed with pulled pork, finished with gherkin, Swiss cheese, and mustard; or try The Overload ($18), a sloppy sandwich where buttered brioche comes stuffed with barbecue pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and homemade slaw. Feeling peckish? Peep the pastries displayed at the counter: croissants ($5), buttery and flaky, make for a classic teatime accompaniment; while The Block ($6) is a take on local sugee cake, crowned with torched Italian meringue and edible flower.
And come nightfall, this minimalist café ditches its simple aesthetics to unveil a secret identity – as an entrance to multi-sensory dinner experience Restaurant Absurdities, dreamed up by local theatre company Andsoforth.
