A Fresh Coffee Spot in the Heart of Toa Payoh

A Fresh Coffee Spot in the Heart of Toa Payoh

On that lively day, the sound of drums and the energetic lion and dragon dances filled the air, creating an exhilarating atmosphere at the newly opened JFD 家啡店 located at 78C Toa Payoh Central. Right next to the Toa Payoh Community Center, this café officially opened its doors on April Fool's Day, featuring 10 different stalls. Without further ado, let’s dive into the delicious offerings here!

Renowned Chef and Must-Try Dishes

First up is the San Xiang Bak Chor Mee stall, proudly awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, hailing from the ABC Brickworks market. Here, you can indulge in noodle dishes like Fish Ball Noodles (S$4/S$5/S$6), Special Fried Meatball Noodles (S$4.50/S$5.50), and Tiger Crab Noodles (S$8). I ordered a special bowl of Bak Chor Mee (S$6) with pok noodles, topped with pig liver, sliced pork, bak chor, and perfectly cooked meatballs.

The noodles were cooked just right, infused with a tangy vinegar and spicy chili that truly awakened my senses. Don’t forget to swing by Ramen Taisho to satisfy your cravings for Japanese cuisine. Dishes like Unagi Don (S$7.30), Fried Chicken Rice (S$6), and Shoyu Ramen (S$6.80) are sure to please your palate.

Unlimited Buffet and Lok Lok Delights

I opted for the Tonkotsu King Chasu Ramen (S$8.80), which came with five slices of chashu, a soft-boiled ajitama egg, and pickled bamboo shoots. The noodles were perfectly chewy, and the chashu was tender and sweet. The broth was light yet rich, striking a perfect balance without being overwhelming.

Upon entering the café, I was pleasantly surprised to see Fei Zhu. I had previously visited their location in Tai Seng and loved their lok lok there. At JFD 家啡店, they offer an unlimited buffet (S$25.90 for adults, S$9.90 for children), but do note that on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays, there's an additional charge of S$4.

You can choose from a variety of hot pot bases, including Lala Soup (S$14.90), Chicken Collagen Broth (S$16.90), or a Dual Hot Pot (S$15.90). However, since my buffet-eating days are behind me, I decided to go for lok lok starting at just S$1 per skewer.

Snacks and Traditional Treats

Here, you'll find a delightful array of snacks like enoki mushroom-wrapped bacon, canned meat, quail eggs, and broccoli that are simply irresistible. Be sure to try their homemade dipping sauces with the skewers. I’m particularly fond of the Thai green chili sauce and the spicy mayonnaise available.

To quench your thirst, you can enjoy curry puffs from Home Curry Puff, available in three flavors for S$2.20 each: rendang chicken, sardine, and chicken potato. Additionally, there are various Nyonya kueh from Borobudur Nonya Pastries, including ang ku kueh and ondeh ondeh.

A Familiar Spot and Toa Payoh's Growth

Do you remember Golden Rooster and Al MAAS? These two eateries used to operate in the old coffee shop for about 6 years and 1 year, respectively. Golden Rooster served Western dishes like Fried Chicken Thigh with Fries (S$8.90) and Grilled Lamb Thigh (S$16.90), while Al MAAS was famous for its Indian dishes like Poori, Sarang Burung Prata, and Kothu Prata, among others.

Overall, Toa Payoh is witnessing a surge of new cafés popping up everywhere. If you get the chance, make sure to stop by 78C Toa Payoh Central for an unforgettable experience!