Slow bakes: Must-eat $2.80 avocado sourdough toast at scenic Yishun Pond
Come down to Slow Bakes at Yishun on a breezy morning and prepare to wait a long time for a table and their quality bakes. Located just beside Yishun Pond, this small space is one to save for nature lovers.
At 11am, all tables were fully occupied, long lines formed at the counter and there was little attention paid to customers waiting for a table. When I tried to ask for a table from a family that had finished their meal, they pointed out that I was supposed to wait outside the cafe until we were seated by the staff.
I looked around and witnessed some patrons rush past the queue to chope their tables. So much for first impressions, I thought to myself. After a rather tedious time trying to secure a table, I finally made it to the counter.
Despite the wide variety of bread options listed on the handwritten menu on a glass panel, only the sourdough and gluten-free sourdough options were available for sale. I was crushed as I was hoping to try a wide range of different types of bread. Note to self — come much earlier to ensure items are available.
What I tried at Slow Bakes
An obvious hot favourite among customers, the Avocado on Sourdough (S$2.80) toast features a generous spread of smashed avocados on top of a thick sourdough base. I loved that the smooth avocado spread contained some chunks of the fruit, which introduced varied textures to the dish.
Served warm, the sourdough bread was sliced about an inch thick and toasted till crunchy. The sourness of the bread complimented the spread but I wished there was more salt, pepper and lemon juice seasoning to cut through the creaminess of the avocado.
Additionally, while I usually prefer thick slices of bread, others may find biting into the thick toast difficult and messy.
An alternative solution for more manageable bites is the Avocado on Gluten-free Sourdough (S$2.80). With a crust embellished with dozens of nuts and seeds, the gluten-free bread possessed a strong nutty flavour.
Even though each bread slice was almost half the size of the regular sourdough version, the same quantity of avocado spread was used. As an avocado fanatic, I was thrilled but my dining partner found it overwhelming.
My most anticipated order at Slow Bakes was none other than the Kaya Butter on Sourdough (S$2.80). A thick and sticky homemade coconut jam was slathered over the toasted sourdough and topped with 2 triangles of butter. The salted butter slices melted slightly from the heat of the bread and turned into a luscious spread. Who doesn’t love a sweet and salty pairing?
However, the thick sourdough slice masked the fragrant and sweet coconut jam and I wished for more of that dark brown goodness. Otherwise, those looking to indulge in the taste of the kaya itself may opt for just Kaya on Sourdough (S$2.80).
By now, the fact that the sourdough bread was perfectly baked had been established. I reckon any type of spread would taste delicious with the carbohydrate.
To keep things sweet and simple, I tried the Homemade Jam on Sourdough (S$2.80). Ripe strawberries were used as the main component of this jam and there were even whole stewed strawberries in the mix.
Other smaller bakes were also displayed on the shelf. I chose the Cinnamon Roll (S$3.20) which bore beautiful layers of dough and cinnamon-sugar mixture. The warm bun was super soft and fluffy.
While it had a slight yeast-y taste, the glaze was well-sweetened and made the perfect pairing with a good cup of Kopi O Kosong (S$1.80).
The most abundant bun left on the shelf was the Choco Hazelnut (S$3). This was an exact replica of a Ferrero Rocher but in bread form. The chocolate-hazelnut filling had a grainy texture and was rather dense.
Top up S$4.50 for a set meal that consists of 2 eggs and a drink of choice. The eggs were large and perfectly half-boiled. The bright yellow yolks were runny but did not smell unpleasant at all. I had almost consumed them as served before realising they came with condiments.
Like every traditional kaya toast breakfast I’ve eaten, I enjoyed the addition of dark soy sauce and pepper dusted onto the eggs. Even though these eggs arrived at the table first, I waited until the toast arrived to enjoy them together.
I noticed that Auntie used a light brown condensed milk instead of the usual white milk. Hence, I chose a hot Kopi (S$1.90) to determine if there was any difference in taste. However, it tasted like a rather normal cup of coffee found in local coffee shops.
On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed their Iced Lemon Tea (S$3.20) which was super tangy and refreshing. The amount of ice given also ensured that the drink remained cold but undiluted throughout my meal.
Final thoughts
As diners may only order after they have been allocated a table, I hope that the seating allocation will be improved before my next visit. Additionally, the cafe space is rather cramped with tables and chairs placed very close to one another.
I would encourage diners to come early to get a good seat and an assortment of fresh bakes. With its short opening hours of 7am – 2pm, I can’t quite determine when the cafe’s off-peak period is supposed to be.
Nonetheless, I hope to come in on a quiet morning to appreciate the tranquil nature around Slow Bakes and its peaceful ambience inside.
Expected damage: S$2.80 – S$8 per pax
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