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Genuine. That was the first word I scribbled on my notebook as I reflected on the meal I had at Power Coffeehouse.
Tucked comfortably in Bedok North, around the corner, under Block 84, Power Coffeehouse is a humble establishment serving local fusion dishes that evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort.
The interior was simple—grey walls, yellow-coloured cabinets, furnished with wooden tables and random metallic framed chairs—nothing too fancy or over-the-top. Although the furnishing seemed like they were just randomly put together, the ambience that it created was cosy and more importantly, unpretentious.
For a neighbourhood eatery that I would describe more accurately as a “cafe-tiam” (cafe plus kopitiam), Power Coffeehouse has an extensive menu that serves a variety of breakfast dishes, mains and light bites.
We started off with the Power Almond Kaya With Maple Drizzle (S$5.80) which was served with a side of sous vide eggs. This open-faced toast was a simple delight comprising of a thin layer of kaya in between light fluffy white bread, topped with toasted crunchy almond slices.
The maple drizzle added a hint of sweetness which complemented pleasantly with the nutty fragrance of the almonds. Comparing the Power Almond Kaya With Maple Drizzle to a regular kaya toast, this will be a great alternative for those of you who enjoy the extra crunch and toasty flavour.
Looking at the other diners, most of them had a set of Traditional Popiah (S$2.50) on their tables and thus, we decided to order it as well. Later did I realise that Power Coffeehouse was actually the brainchild of Fortune Food—a family-owned foodservice distributor specialising in handmade popiah skin and kueh pie ti shells—and the Traditional Popiah was a must-try item on the menu.
Naturally, I had high expectations for the popiah and thank God, I was not disappointed. To some, the popiah skin might be considered to be on the thicker side. However, I enjoyed it for the fact that it was chewier and not wafer-thin. Unlike some popiah where the turnip filling is simmered till it’s soft and mushy, this popiah filling was drier and retained a slight crunch.
Accompanied by fresh cucumber slices, crispy bits and homemade sweet sauce, each mouthful was flavoursome with the right texture and balance.
For the mains, we opted for the Claypot “Chi Kut Teh”, Ayam “Lu Rou” Don and Shiok Sambal Power Nasi Goreng.
Being a “No Pork, No Lard”-friendly environment, Claypot “Chi Kut Teh” (S$8.90) is a spin-off the traditional bak kut teh, with the use of chicken instead of pork ribs.
The soup base was light in colour and leaned more towards the peppery flavour with a very slight hint of herbal taste. There was definitely a difference with the use of chicken as the soup was not as rich and oily compared to its original counterpart.
The chicken meat was tender but it was somehow mediocre as it did not have much of a flavour that made it stand out in the dish. What stole the show for me, were the tau pok (fried beancurd) and you tiao (fried dough fritters) that was puffed up and soaked with the soup, bursting with flavour as I bit into it.
Power Coffeehouse’s interpretation of the classic braised pork rice is represented by their Ayam “Lu Rou” Don (S$8.50)—braised chicken rice served with sous vide egg right smack in the centre.
Surrounding the egg were huge chunks of braised chicken set on top of white rice drenched in savoury braised sauce, with fresh coleslaw on the side. The bite-sized chunks of chicken meat were stewed and slow-cooked to perfection, absorbing the right amount of soy sauce without being overly briny.
The best way to have this homely dish is definitely to break into the wobbly egg and mixed everything up. The egg yolk helped bind the rice together, creating a well-balanced profile of flavour that is simply umami.
My personal favourite has got to be the Shiok Sambal Power Nasi Goreng (S$8.90) and as the name of the dish says, it was shiok.
This fragrant rice dish came with three jumbo prawns lightly seared to a beautiful bright orange, which were fresh, juicy and tender. In my opinion, you can clearly tell if a nasi goreng taste good just by looking at the rice.
The grains on the bowl were individual, lightly kissed with soy sauce and sambal chilli. Although I was immensely full by this point, I couldn’t stop myself from eating more as the use of the sambal added a kick that made the dish truly addictive and appetising.
Power Coffeehouse also offers a selection of beverages that goes hand-in-hand with their selection of food and snacks.
Described as ‘a modern twist of the classic kopis and tehs‘, their Power Local Series elevates our traditional coffee and tea, creating a duo of Power Kopi Latte and Power Tea Latte (S$3.50 for hot, S$4 for iced) using a special artisan espresso machine.
As a kopi lover myself, I highly recommend the Power Kopi Latte as it retained the roasted aroma of traditional coffee, with a slightly burnt aftertaste. It was light and delicate with the use of frothed milk, carrying a hint of sweetness that was not overwhelming.
Other beverage selections are the Artisanal Series of coffees made using blends from local coffee roasters, Hook Coffee and the Specialty Tea Series of Japanese milk teas brewed with teas from Matchaya which are imported from Kyoto, Japan.
For a sweet ending, I paired my cup of Power Kopi Latte with the Signature Muah Chee (S$3.50). This pairing was a match made in heaven. The muah chee was soft and moist, generously coated with crushed peanuts and sugar, which reminded me a lot of the muah chee my grandma used to make during Chinese New Year.
The owners of Power Coffeehouse believe in meaningful collaborations that extend beyond the running of their business. Not only do they work closely with local suppliers for their ingredients, but they also collaborate with partners at the top of their fields to bring about meaningful and enriching programs to the heartlands.
As an attempt to give back to the community, Power Coffeehouse is collaborating with an education institution to transform the eatery (on certain weekdays) into a modern and conducive classroom for abacus enrichment classes.
I had a short chat with the owners and that conversation left me in admiration of their spirits as I felt that they were truly proactively doing their part in contributing to their community in Bedok.
Reflecting back on my dining experience at Power Coffeehouse, this is definitely an eatery that will serve the neighbourhood well. The local fusion dishes I had were delectable. They were modern yet, had a sense of familiarity that was close to heart.
Yes, the price is steep if you were to compare a similar dish that is being sold in Bedok 85 Market nearby. However, the ambience of the coffeehouse and the quality of the ingredients does justify the slightly higher price range.
I truly enjoyed my meal at Power Coffeehouse and will certainly make retuned trips to have a taste of the other dishes that I’ve missed out!
Expected Damage: $15 – S$20 per pax
