Japan Rail Cafe: cake set + kuromitsu kinako latte ($19.50)!
Cake set at Japan Rail Cafe, Tanjong Pagar: a citrus green tea cake and a Japanese strawberry shortcake ($13), plus a kuromitsu kinako latte ($6.50).
Afternoon cake set at Japan Rail Cafe in Tanjong Pagar. Cake set (citrus green tea + strawberry shortcake, $13) + kuromitsu kinako latte ($6.50). 😋
Japan Rail Cafe (the JR-themed cafe at Guoco Tower) leans into Japanese flavours, which made for a lovely, very Japanese little dessert spread.
What was on the table ($19.50):
- A cake set of two slices: a citrus green tea cake and a strawberry shortcake.
- A kuromitsu kinako latte.
The strawberry shortcake was the Japanese classic, an airy, light sponge layered with barely-sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries, much lighter and less sugary than the American version. The citrus green tea cake was the more interesting one, an earthy matcha sponge brightened with a citrus note that kept it from feeling heavy.
The drink was the highlight, though: a kuromitsu kinako latte brings two traditional Japanese flavours into a coffee. Kuromitsu is Japanese black-sugar syrup, deeper and more molasses-like than regular sugar, and kinako is roasted soybean powder with a toasty, nutty taste (the same combo you’d find on warabi mochi). Together over espresso and steamed milk, it tasted like a grown-up, nutty-caramel latte, comforting and a little different.
At $19.50 for two cakes and a specialty latte, a relaxed, satisfying weekend cafe stop.
Overall: 4.7 / 5. 😋👍🏼 Light Japanese strawberry shortcake, a citrusy matcha cake and a lovely nutty kuromitsu kinako latte. Would re-visit.
