Kings Cart Coffee Factory, Joo Chiat Road: Not all kings wear crowns; some brew coffee grounds

I’ve embarked on a coffee trail lately. The latest in my unofficial series of coffee events is Kings Cart Coffee Factory, a lovely cafe along Joo Chiat Road.

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Opened by local wholesaler Kings Cart Coffee, this cafe is the stomping ground for coffee, cocktail, and brunch enthusiasts alike. Kings Cart Coffee Factory aims to create food and drinks that harmoniously incorporate the flavours and aromas of coffee with other ingredients.

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Even before entering, you can tell they mean business by the portafilter shaped door handle at the front. Despite their extensive knowledge of coffee, though, they place more emphasis on making it palatable and accessible to everyone who passes through their doors. 

Most specialty coffee establishments tend to intimidate the uninitiated with industry jargon. Kings Cart Coffee Factory, conversely, won’t bamboozle you with origin details or brewing techniques. Sometimes, less really is more.

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Simply put, I like it here. Here’s some unsolicited written ASMR—the place is lovely and relaxed, with enough warmth from the wood furnishings to brighten the otherwise cold industrial setup. Flowers and verdant indoor plants add vibrancy and colour to the grey. In the background, a languid cover band croons softly to the melody of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, the notes mingling with the patrons’ lulling chatter.

As you might expect, the aroma of coffee repeatedly wafts out in fresh waves as new batches of beans are roasted—lingering but never jarring. I could imagine idle days whiling my time away by the window watching the traffic go by, happy to waste my time here.

What I tried

I immediately took a liking to the menu, which was the kind that made me want to order everything.

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Being a fan of all things tiramisu, I had to try the Tiramisu Soufflé (S$21.50). This fluffy infrastructure packed an impressive airiness without compromising on structural integrity.

The pancake centre was custardy without being undercooked. They can get a little eggy when plain, but no one is asking you to eat them like that. Pair them with the mocha ice cream to bring out the juxtaposition of temperatures. To top things off, the kahlúa liqueur transposed everything on this plate to decadence.

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I’ve eaten my fair share of soufflé pancakes, but never have they melted in my mouth without being cloying. This one seems to have found the perfect textural balance. Frankly, I won’t change a thing about this dish.

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Next was the Egg Benedict (S$18), a platter of wobbly poached eggs perched atop layers of buttery avocado, juicy bacon and breakfast muffins. To freshen things up, I alternated each bite with some pomegranate, kiwi and arugula, which were considerately included on the side. What a fancy way to trick an adult into eating her fruits. 

In fact, save some kiwi and bacon to eat together at the end of the meal; trust me, it works. 

My only bone to pick was that the plate was too small. I would’ve liked more space to move things around, especially when I accidentally nudged some egg overboard. It was too delicious not to rescue, though.

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I had high hopes for the Iced Salted Caramel Latte (S$8) but this, unfortunately, fell short of my expectations. I’d expected a stronger burnt caramel taste but was instead overwhelmed by saltiness (in the drink, not me). 

As it’d been sitting out for a while, the melted ice further diluted the sweetness and exacerbated the strange brininess. Perhaps having this drink hot right when it’s served would be a better bet.

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Back to the sweets; the Coconut Affogato (S$7) is one of the most popular items here. 

Served on a minimalist wooden platter, this classy dessert featured an elegant scoop of coconut ice cream topped with toasted coconut flakes.

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The swirls of bitter espresso poured over coconut ice cream was so delectably tropical. And you can’t be lazy here—the coconut flakes add an irresistible bite to complete the velvety mix. This was such a joy to savour.

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On Friday and Saturday nights, Kings Cart Coffee Factory transforms into a coffee bar until 10.30pm. With that comes a range of their coffee cocktails, one of which I had the honour of tasting.

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The Rum Pum Pum (S$20) ended my meal with such a heady bang, with its kaleidoscopic mix of sweet and herby burning flavours. With espresso, dark rum, gula melaka, milk foam and a sprig of torched rosemary resting above, this was a bold drink. 

Final thoughts

Kings Cart Coffee Factory might initially come across as yet another coffee specialty cafe, but a foray into their offerings will tell you otherwise. There is care in the curation of flavours, and the food is just undeniably delicious. Here is a place where you can enjoy coffee even without knowing much about it.

Even though I’m a west-dweller through and through, they have me wishing I lived a little nearer to the east so that I could frequent them more often. 

If you’re planning to go there, keep in mind the availability of their menus. Their Brunch Menu is available everyday except Monday, from 9am to 4pm. Meanwhile, the Soufflés are available from 11am to 5pm daily. 

Expected Damage: S$13.50 – S$28 per pax, without alcohol

Price: $

Our Rating: 5 / 5

Kings Cart Coffee Factory

328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-05, Singapore 427585

Price
Our Rating 5/5

Kings Cart Coffee Factory

328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-05, Singapore 427585

Telephone: +65 9638 8380
Operating Hours: 9am - 6pm (Sun to Thu), 9am - 10.30pm (Fri & Sat)
Telephone: +65 9638 8380

Operating Hours: 9am - 6pm (Sun to Thu), 9am - 10.30pm (Fri & Sat)
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