Old Hen Coffee, one of Singapore’s early champions of cold brew culture, has found a new home within a university campus.
The café, once a stalwart on Rangoon Road, has moved west to the NUS Shaw Foundation Alumni House.
It takes up residence beside South & East, its more flamboyant next-door neighbour.
Old Hen now looks sleeker, and quite different from its previous look.
Clean lines, soft light, and orange as its main colour.
An Old Hen “Ö” logo glows on the wall, with a long communal counter flanked by low orange milk-crate stools.
NUS students with laptops occupy the back tables, quietly absorbed in school work, while the occasional staff member coming in for a mid-day caffeine fix.
If you are looking for food, they include Eggs & Toast ($7), Kaya & Butter Toast ($6.50), Azuki & Butter Toast ($6.50), Granola with Yoghurt ($8.50), Corn Chowder ($10), and Avocado on Toast ($12).
I went for the Azuki & Butter Toast ($6.50), a Japanese-style sandwich that pairs smooth Hokkaido red bean paste with cold Danish butter between slices of soft shokupan.
It was sweet and buttery, with the toast light and airy.
For pastries and bakes, you’ll find Butter Croissant ($4.50), Almond Croissant ($5.50), Pain Au Chocolat ($5.50), and house favourites like Banana Walnut Loaf ($5), Lemon Berries Loaf ($5), and Earl Grey Yuzu Loaf ($5).
Those with a sweet tooth can also go for Carrot Walnut Teacake ($8), Sticky Date Toffee Teacake ($8) or Lemon Pistachio Teacake ($8), all neatly displayed in the counter’s wooden case.
Coffee has always been at the heart of Old Hen, and that remains unmistakable in its new space.
They use their house blend Edulis, a Colombia Huila roast that leans bright and juicy, with notes of green apple, honey, and toasted almond, excellent both as espresso and cold brew.
I’ll admit, I felt a little sad.
Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s just that there’s no good reason to come to NUS often.
Students might not realise it yet, but they’ve just lucked out on some seriously good coffee between lectures.
Old Hen Coffee
NUS Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 11 Kent Ridge Drive #01-03, Singapore 119244
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun
Other Related Entries
La Grigne Patisserie (Kent Ridge)
Pacto by Parchmen (KADA Maxwell)
ECHO House (KADA Maxwell)
Kyuukei Coffee (KADA Maxwell)
EG Coffee (Alexandra)
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