Asylum Coffeehouse: Cosy Coffee Joint on a Jalan Besar Street Corner
Did everyone setting up a cafe this year decide they were either going to be along East Coast or Jalan Besar? These two locations seem to have a genuine buzz lately, as new wave coffeehouses have set up shop in other corners of these popular areas.
Now joining the fray of cafes at Jalan Besar is Asylum Coffeehouse, a corner coffee shop at the edge of Petain Road.
The shophouses at Petain Road tend to be Peranakan-style colourful, and the one Asylum Coffeehouse calls home is no different, with a striking blue and red façade that is unmissable.
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Props to them for also investing in a huge blind with their logo which is easy to spot.
But whilst the shophouses of the area are decked out in a maximalist style, Asylum goes for the exact opposite, opting for a bright, white minimalist space with accents of wood and grey.
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Flanked with wide and expansive windows on two sides, Asylum isn’t actually a big space— but the high ceiling and ample daylight give it an airy, uncluttered atmosphere.
The island coffee counter is surrounded by seats made for diners in pairs, and was intentionally done so to facilitate communication between the baristas and staff.
While the seat cushions were designed to make the dine-in experience more comfortable, I felt like the tables were too low once sat on the cushions, and I noticed a few other diners felt similarly and just sat on the wooden benches instead.
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Besides the tables surrounding the counter, there are several seats outdoors as well, facing the street Asylum is on.
You’ll still have to place your order and make payment at the counter though, which is right by the main entrance.
At busier times, this can lead to awkward moments where those queuing to order jostle for space while patrons stream in and out of the cafe, especially as the temperature taking also happens at the door.
Thankfully, when I visited on a Friday afternoon an hour before closing, it wasn’t busy at all, so there were no traffic issues.
There are some pastries and bakes at the counter, but I just settled for an Iced White (S$6.50).
Asylum offers their own blend of espresso called Keluak, with dominant chocolate, nutty and earthy tones inspired by the characteristics of the Peranakan Buah Keluak dish.
Coffee here is a lot more intense and acidic in flavour than what most cafes usually serve up, so if you’re looking for something with a kick, this is where you’ll get it.
To go with your coffee, they have sandwiches from Hambaobao, a burger hawker, serving up the Turfoieken (S$19) with foie gras, turkey and chicken on sourdough with homemade aioli and apple chutney.
The other sandwich available is the Cubano (S$16) on ciabatta, complete with pulled pork, gherkins, swiss cheese and mustard.
Bakes included a plain butter Croissant (S$5) and The Block - OG (S$6), a slice of cake with almond, butter, rum, Italian meringue, and topped with an edible flower.
I’ll be interested to see if Asylum can pull the crowds from the bustling area Chye Seng Huat, LUCID and Apartment call home, over to the other side of Jalan Besar, but it’s fair to say not all might be keen on the acidic taste of Asylum’s espresso blend.
But hey, that’s what makes them special right?
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WHERE | 311 JALAN BESAR, SINGAPORE 208970
