[Shenzhen] Kurasu was one of the cafes I particularly wanted to check out on this Shenzhen trip, and the space turned out to be every bit as memorable as the coffee.
While Singapore coffee drinkers should be familiar with the brand, this is the Kyoto specialty coffee brand’s first mainland China store.
Opened at Shenzhen Bay MixC 深圳湾万象城 Phase II (on the outside area), this is after Kurasu had already expanded to cities including Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Some may not know that Kurasu actually started in Sydney in 2013 as an online Japanese homeware store by founder Yozo Otsuki, before gradually shifting its focus towards coffee.
The first physical Kurasu Kyoto Stand opened in August 2016, with the brand continuing its mission of sharing Japanese coffee culture and home brewing with a wider audience.
I loved the interior here, easily one of my favourite cafe spaces this year.
Designed by Atelier L, the 184 sqm cafe uses a “dual eaves” concept inspired by both Japanese machiya townhouses and the pitched roofs of Shenzhen’s traditional fishing settlements.
The large glowing structure hovering above the coffee bar immediately draws your eyes upwards, like a mini Japanese-home roof.
The pale timber, long communal tables, shelves of coffee wares and softer lounge seating make the space feel warm without becoming overly styled.
Coffee is naturally the focus, with Americano (¥32), Flat White (¥36), Latte (¥36), hand drip coffee and seasonal brews, alongside a substantial matcha selection.
The current popular choices include the Kyoto Autumn Magnolia Yuzu Cold Brew 京都秋韵 (¥48), Ceremonial Matcha Latte 殿堂级手作抹茶拿铁 (¥52), hand drip coffee, Matcha Latte (¥38) and Hojicha Latte (¥36).
I was really, really curious about the Salted Plum Tonic Americano 话梅汤力美式 (¥38), because salted plum and coffee sounded like a combination that could have gone very wrong.
To be honest, I never had salted plum with coffee before, and surprisingly, it worked.
The familiar sweet and savoury tang of salted plum gave the coffee a refreshing edge, while the tonic kept things light enough that the flavours did not fight one another.
I also had the Latte (¥36), which was a good, dependable cup and probably the safer choice if experimental coffee is not your thing.
There are cakes to go with the coffee, and I went for the Raw Chocolate Cheesecake 生巧芝士蛋糕 (¥42).
Good coffee, good cake, and I was quite happy simply sitting here for a while, which perhaps says more about this cafe than another long tasting description would.
With a strong coffee programme and an interior I would happily return to, Kurasu is easily one of my favourite cafe finds in Shenzhen this year.
Kurasu Coffee
Shop 007, Level 1, Zone C, Phase II, Shenzhen Bay MixC, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
深圳市南山区粤海街道深圳湾万象城二期C区1层007号
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
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