Kwaasong Bakehouse (IOI Central Boulevard Towers)

If anything, it does seem that the folks behind Kwaasong Bakehouse are pretty much on a fast and furious phase of expansion all across the Central Business District. These folks had first started out operations around a year ago within the shophouse space at Lorong Telok — fast forward to a year later and there are three (3) outlets of Kwaasong Bakehouse in operations across the island. Whilst the brand had just opened a takeaway kiosk not too long ago in the basement of Guoco Tower, these folks have recently expanded their operations with a brand new outlet at the foot of IOI Central Boulevard Towers. With a frontage that faces Lau Pa Sat directly, Kwaasong Bakehouse’s new outlet is easy to spot when travelling along Shenton Way. Despite the relatively tight-looking space from the exterior, this is Kwaasong Bakehouse’s most spacious outlet yet; this outlet actually features a dine-in area that comes with tables that are good to seat groups of four (4) pax — there is also a mix of standing bar tables, as well as counter seating available in the shop space as well. The maximum capacity of the space by counting the number of seats available is slightly short of 20 pax. The store at IOI Central Boulevard Towers is decked rather similar to that of their other locations at Lorong Telok and Guoco Tower; the interior seeing a use of turquoise and white that is pretty much the colour scheme that the brand has adopted since its inception — the counter sees a marble-esque accent for a more natural look that is easy to the eyes, while cushioned seating is used for the dine-in seating to provide patrons with a higher level of comfort. Kwaasong Bakehouse is best known for its variety of danishes and the IOI Central Boulevard Towers location has all of what is available being stocked up in the display shelf at the counter; beverages available at their IOI Central Boulevard Towers outlet includes a variety of espresso-based specialty coffee, drinking chocolate and tea.

We have previously given quite a number of Kwaasong Bakehouse’s offerings a go considering how we had visited their locations at Lorong Telok and Guoco Towers when they had just opened their doors. Skimming through the selection of bakes that they have to offer during our visit to their IOI Central Boulevard Towers outlet, the pastry that caught our attention first would be the Salted Egg Floss Roll. This was an item that was introduced in more recent times — one which was added to the menu together with the Taro Mochi Onigiri which we have had during our visit to their Guoco Tower location. This is an item that takes inspiration from the usual Chicken / Pork Floss buns that we see from other bakeries — whilst most of such establishments would serve it together with a bun, Kwaasong Bakehouse’s version would see it coming together with a Danish; no surprises considering what Kwaasong Bakehouse’s specialty is. Rather than opting for the usual mayonnaise that most establishments would include in their Chicken / Pork Floss buns to allow the floss to stick onto the bread, the folks at Kwaasong Bakehouse seem to have infused salted egg into the mayonnaise. This gives the Salted Egg Floss Roll a slight difference which sees a slightly more savoury note coming with the Danish as compared to the usual creamier and sweeter note that one would find in the Chicken / Pork Floss buns. Of course, it is needless to say that the Danish itself is a showcase of Kwaasong Bakehouse’s expertise in the craft; the Danish coming with well-defined layers from the lamination process whilst being crisp on the exterior and sufficiently buttery and light within without feeling particularly jelak — exactly how we remember Kwaasong Bakehouse’s pastries to be after all these while.

The Kaya Fold is yet another Danish from Kwaasong Bakehouse that we have yet to try from our prior visits to their other locations previously. Despite looking rather huge and dense, the Danish still carries the characteristics that the danishes from Kwaasong Bakehouse are known for — crisp on the exterior, but light and easy-to-have with the insides being filled with a good amount of Nonya Kaya that provides a sweet note to the Danish. Kwaasong Bakehouse was also offering a Gingerbread Butter Latte which is available in both hot and iced variants in line with the Christmas season during the opening of its IOI Central Boulevard location — this carried a slight note of gingery notes and cinnamon for a lightly spiced flavour that worked well with the drizzle of caramel that gave it a hint of sweetness; totally apt for the occasion. Having seen Kwaasong Bakehouse grow from how they were during the times when they had first started business, it does seem that Kwaasong Bakehouse has come quite far with their journey in the local F&B scene. What started out as a humble takeaway operation has now garnered a loyal following for their stellar danishes which are creations that one can feel their skills, effort and passion to serve up their very best to their patrons. Considering how this is the only outlet at the time of writing that has dine-in seating, we do have an inkling that the IOI Central Boulevard Towers location of Kwaasong Bakehouse would be a popular spot for office workers within its vicinity for light lunches as well as a tea-time spot to hit for coffee and pastries — wishing these folks all the best in what is to come for them; as always!