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Haji Lane is a street that is persistently bustling. From cafes to tattoo parlours, to bars and restaurants, it seems the whole area is compacted to having it all. Except for a Japanese-inspired cafe of course, which Coffee Donkee has brought to the table! Coffee Donkee is a charming coffee place that is best known for its brews made from freshly imported Japanese beans to add to the whole experience.
A coffee shop curated by a group of three friends, they molded their dreams into reality by making a tranquil space for coffee lovers, away from the lively crowd.
While they are undergoing modifications in the store, they have yet to prepare a fully perfected area. They are currently in their soft launch and have made promises for more aesthetic spots in the store — so stay tuned! However, do feel free to patronise them as their current space is still open to serving up great cups of coffee and delicious pastries for now.
Unbeknownst to many, the hidden area at the back of the cafe is a tiny zen garden. Definitely hidden within the store, I chose to enjoy my coffee over here as if I was in a quiet retreat. The theme that they follow is a Japanese inspired one, a theme that follows through with many of the other things that they offer.
Their open concept coffee counter allows you to witness the whole extent of the beans brewing and dripping, so very delicately. The coffee takes about 2 minutes for the beans to boil before it drips into the cup. Watching the whole process was extremely therapeutic for me.
Some of their signature brews include the Donkee blend and the Sakura blend. The latter features a mixture of 5 different types of beans, resulting in strong notes of floral and sourness. It leans towards a medium roast, and it is quite similar to most drip coffees.
However, their in-house blend, Donkee blend, is quite unique in the sense that it tastes completely different from most drip coffees. The end result is a slightly bitter dark roast, with a very light finish. This is something that I would recommend if you’re looking for something different. An eye-opening experience!
Both priced at S$10, the coffee is served in handmade ceramic cups, collected by the lovely owners of this shop. They fly all over the world curating their own collection of ceramic art, keeping a unique selection up for display and use in their store. The cups are also available for purchase!
On the outside, their cute assemble includes a small swing for you to snap some pictures before you enter their cosy shop. Swing yourself into Japan once you walk through those glass doors!
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