I have learnt a new word, “Fernweh”.
The name “Fernweh” comes from German. It means a longing for faraway places and describes a deep desire to travel and explore.
Though it did remind me of the Chinese word “氛围” (like atmosphere).
And here’s a pet-friendly Fernweh Café which sits inside BEAT.1932 Hostel on South Bridge Road, a calm little escape from Chinatown’s usual chaos.
The name seems to fit the space well.
The first thing that hits you is how clean and airy it feels.
Mint green benches, pale blue tabletops and light wood tones give the place a relaxed charm.
The overall vibe is somewhere between Scandinavian and hostel chic.
There is also a shelf near the counter filled with products from The Art Faculty, a social enterprise that supports artists on the autism spectrum.
It is a lovely touch that gives Fernweh more heart than most cafés.
The menu reads like a mix of comfort food and café classics with a Singaporean accent.
Brunch options include Rendang Beef Benedict ($22), Roti John French Toast ($16), Fernweh Big Brekkie ($28), Fernweh Veg Brekkie ($24) and Kaya Crème Brûlée French Toast ($18).
Sharing plates are designed for grazing and feature things like Cheesy Rendang Beef Spring Roll ($12), Crispy Mala Tofu Fries ($12), Truffle Tater Tots ($10) and Wasabi Prawn Bao Sliders ($14).
I went in hopeful after reading several upbeat reviews.
The Rendang Beef Benedict ($22) seemed the obvious choice. It looked somewhat decent when it arrived, with neatly poached eggs on sourdough, tater tots and salad on the side.
Unfortunately, the eggs didn’t ooze. And while the rendang beef was tender, it was barely present. Though the flavour hinted at coconut and spice, it never quite landed.
Other mains such as such as Har Cheong Gai Don ($15), Kana Chai Pasta ($14), Firecracker Chicken Burger ($16) and Teriyaki Salmon Don ($18) round things off.
For the Har Cheong Gai Don ($15), the chicken came in crisp little chunks, marinated with shrimp paste and deep-fried. The vegetables, furikake and some edible flowers added colour.
The bowl was topped with a soft egg that was not as oozy as it should have been as well.
I was curious about the chilli lime mayonnaise but it somewhat clashed with the shrimp paste. It drowned out the savoury edge that gives har cheong gai its identity.
The coffee, on the other hand, was fairly priced at $4 for a Cafe Latte.
However, the coffee leaned toward a bitter, darker style roast, which lacked the lively brightness of the third-wave cafés around town.
Desserts might be their saving grace.
Nicholas @stormscape mentioned the Sesame Tang Yuan Fritters ($12) and described them as chewy, crunchy and creamy all at once.
It might be worth returning just to see if their sweet game fares better.
Service was pleasant and unhurried, and staff were friendly.
Fernweh Café is a good-looking spot with a concept and a likeable mood. The food and coffee, however, feel like they need a stronger hand in the kitchen.
For now, it is a charming stop for brunch and conversation rather than a culinary destination.
Fernweh
237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
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