Onde Onde Cupcake at Kiasu Espresso

Happy New Year! The start of 2014 saw the lions recuperating at Kiasu Espresso. They needed a little emergency perk-me-up after a late night cheese party counting down to the brand new year. They weren't exactly early birds though ... ... they were just glad that no elbowing of their way through the maddening crowd, which haunts the area on a common work day, was necessary.  

A quick, sane shot to go back to their sanguine selves.

Maybe some greasy food might help with their comatose
state of mind as well.

Kiasu Espresso - by the same folks behind 40 Hands
and Tiong Bahru Bakery.

Thank heavens! No queue!

The must try items look pretty dull to the lions that day.
Not another chocolate tart, please!

Let's check if there's anything more exciting at the
counter. Ok, orange blossom carrot cake... a
promising start...

Woooo chendol... some local flavours at play here.

A Peranakan's delight - an onde onde cupcake.
Love the cheeky rojak marriage.

Is this old skool or what?

Barista patiently coaxing liquid gold out from the machine.

Quick yoga wrist movements for latte art.

We are not complaining when this is their motto!
Superb service that day from the team.

Some education if you need it.

The lions settled for the onde onde cupcake.

Fragrant gula melaka sugar in the centre.
The avocado cream at the top with grated coconut
was such a gratifying treat, it was tempting not to lick
it all away at once.

One of the specialty drinks at Kiasu Espresso -
Gingerbread Latte with Star Anise.
Heard that they do an inventive sparkling iced
Long Black (sparkling water with espresso) as well
that's a great cooler for the weather here.

Succumbed to the braised pork belly "slider" which is
essentially their version of a Chinese Kou Rou Bao.
Finger lickin good but pity the thin slab of meat used.
A thicker slab might have been more satisfying for
the price paid (2 for $7.50). Love the pillow-y soft
bun though.

An open arch that leads to neighbouring Skinny Pizza
under the same umbrella of management.

Window seats for people watching.

Next visit:

Sparkling Long Black. For a hardcore coffee
drinker like the lion, this tasted a little strange
with the strong mineral-like taste of sparkling water
downplaying the coffee. It looked a little like
Guinness stout with a foam head when served. 

Chendol Cupcake. This is a must-order for fans of
the local dessert. Green worm-like jelly under
soft cream with a faint taste of coconut and gula melaka.

Banana Jackfruit Cupcake was a bland affair though.
Just a mild whiff of the pungent fruit with a few tiny
pieces of the pungent fruit. Couldn't detect any banana.

Here is our review for Kiasu Espresso:
Dessert Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10

Coffee Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 7.0 pawprints out of 10

Kiasu Espresso -
the earliest bird
100 AM
#01-03/04

100 Tras Street

Singapore 079027