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Looking to discover your next hidden food gem? Sourdough bakery Simple Brown Cup in Hougang may be just what you’re looking for. It specialises in fresher-than-ever bakes with some adorable designs sure to make your friends coo in awe.
There’s just something about discovering hidden gems that excites my inner explorer, enticing a strong curiosity to find out if the hype is justified. My journey to this bakery was filled with excitement and anticipation as I was determined to discover if freshly baked sourdough truly makes a difference.
Simple Brown Cup’s location is the furthest on the inconspicuous spectrum, so much so that only one blink is required to miss it. Hidden in The Promenade at Pelikat (no, not the iconic “durian”), this bakery is secreted away in the basement.
Along the corridor, you may spot other F&B eateries that are overlooked on social media. With over 200 businesses in this building alone, it looks like the residents of this freehold condominium don’t have to go far to grab some grub.
‘Quaint’ will definitely be the first adjective to describe Simple Brown Cup’s space, which makes sense considering that they are a takeaway bakery. There are 2 camping chairs for waiting customers and that’s it.
Having heard Simple Brown Cup had seasonal bakes that were intriguing to the core, I was rather disappointed that they did not have any this time round. A quick chat with the jolly bakers led to the realisation that those seasonal items are for special occasions, like this cute yet healthy Nourish Mama Sourdough they made for Mother’s Day.
To my surprise, their head baker assured me that they would take pre-orders for seasonal items as long as the ingredients were in stock. Needless to say, I will definitely be back for some exclusive goodies!
What I tried at Simple Brown Cup
Said to be their best-selling food item, the Gilgeori (Korean Street Toast) Sandwich (S$9.50) was inspired by the Korean popular breakfast item. It contains a rather intriguing combination of a carrot and cheese frittata, chicken ham, cheese and a layer of strawberry jam.
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Crazily enough, the wacky combination works. I adored the sweetness of the strawberry jam that mingled superbly with the savoury omelette, creating a balance I didn’t even know existed. The toast was not too heavily seasoned, perfect for those who have lighter taste palettes.
Of course, what good is a bakery if they don’t use their own bread for their toasts? Having tried a good deal of sourdough in my pastry life, I found this sourdough to be on the less tangy side, which I appreciated. Thanks to the milder sourness, the bread did not overwhelm the other components. A great base for the toast variety, in my opinion.
Of course, their adorable treats were what I’d been eyeing the whole time. Pre-orders are required for their sourdough and pastries, so order from their site in advance so you don’t go home empty-handed.
I’m all for appearances (sorry, morals) so the Triple Chocolate Flower Bread (S$8) was simply too cute to ignore. Shaped like a flower, it is made from 7 rolls of sourdough cleverly designed to allow for sharing among your loved ones. You know what’s the most exciting? Decorative features can be added just for laughs and make for a yummy gift with a hint of personality.
With your first bite, the dark chocolate chips within the chocolate roll make themselves known by their deep richness. Despite being a sweet tooth, I wholeheartedly appreciated each mouthful of the not-too-sweet bread. I regretted not ordering a cup of Joe right then; there have many sweet options like Roasted Hazel Latte (S$6.70) and Macadamia Latte (S$6.70) that would have complemented the bread like a match made in heaven.
Final thoughts
Simple Brown Cup is a great place to grab a fuss-free meal or have fresh bread if you live nearby. With fantastic toasts and interesting breads, it’s no wonder this bakery is considered a true hidden gem.
Despite its distance from my home, I can definitely see myself back here for the seasonal bakes. Sweet Potato Flower Bread, here I come!
Order Delivery: foodpanda
Expected damage: S$8 – S$18.50 per pax
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