3 Mins Coffee (OUE Downtown)

3 Mins Coffee is an establishment that has been in operations for quite a while in the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood; this is actually the establishment’s very first location since their founding, and they have since opened a second outlet that is located at the basement of One Raffles Place in more recent times. That being said, 3 Mins Coffee’s location at Downtown Gallery is still its only location that comes with dine-in seating; the dine-in area seeing some seats being situated in the middle of the aisle of the shopping gallery. For the Downtown Gallery location, 3 Mins Coffee had taken over the former premises of the now-defunct Saybons outlet there — the concept itself seemingly has a stronger focus on espresso-based specialty coffee despite having a line-up of pastries, wraps and pies that one can go for if they are intending to have a bit of a light meal to go along with their coffee. Other beverages apart from espresso-based specialty coffee available at 3 Mins Coffee includes pour over coffee, special concoctions of espresso-based specialty coffee such as that of the Spanish Latte and Kayacino, drinking chocolate, tea lattes and loose leaf teas. Also added to their food menu somewhat recently would be their range of Pandan Waffles.

We had previously made our visit to 3 Mins Coffee at their Downtown Gallery location when they had just opened their doors there, but what sparked a revisit to the same location for us was the introduction of their new Pandan Waffles line-up — this is also available at their outlet at One Raffles Place, though all orders would be served in takeaway format as the outlet occupies only a kiosk space in the basement that comes without any seating space. For the Pandan Waffles section of the menu, the section of the menu is being split up into two (2) categories — Single Filling and Double Filling. We were fairly intrigued by the Classic that is being listed as a Pandan Waffles item in the Double Filling section of the menu — the Classic featuring a filling of Kaya and butter; much like what one would expect of a Kaya Butter Toast though in a format of a Pandan waffle. Do note that the Pandan Waffles at 3 Mins Coffee requires some preparation time as they are made only upon order. Our order comes served on a plate; the Pandan Waffles looking exactly the same as what we would expect it to be if we were to come across a similar offering in a neighbourhood bakery — a green aesthetic for the waffle that comes slightly browned, and with Kaya and butter being sandwiched in the middle. Sinking our teeth into the waffle, the waffle does provide a bit of bite inside though the exterior still remains crisp — it does seem that the butter is added with the waffle being hot; this also meant that the Pandan Waffles — Classic is one waffle that can be a little messy to handle. One can most expect melted butter dripping all over, though the saltish-ness of the butter does match well against the warm and gloopy, green Pandan-infused Nonya-style Kaya that provided a decent level of sweetness and flavour for the waffle — there is enough of the Kaya spread around, and the entire ordeal wasn’t overly sinful apart from all of the melted butter.

During our visit, we had also went for the Piccolo; 3 Mins Coffee offers their patrons two different types of beans for their espresso-based specialty coffee and we opted for the Signature Blend that features a mix of arabica beans of Brazilian and Sumatran origin. The description card also mentions this blend to be of a medium-dark roast and comes with a “strong”, “bitter” and “dark-chocolate” flavour profile — we did find that the Piccolo was well-pulled (it was an improvement from the previous trip made) and definitely a punchy cuppa with a fruity body and a roasty finish that is great for a mid-day perk-me-up. 3 Mins Coffee isn’t one of those spots that are targeting office workers to enjoy a full meal at; their food menu barely consists of anything that may be considered substantial as compared to other dining establishments that are located in the same building — that being said, they do work out as a decent spot for light bites and coffee in the ‘hood; and especially a notable spot for specialty coffee for those that are working in the vicinity. The addition of the Pandan Waffles line-up at this location also further makes them a good spot to hit up for tea break; after all, it does seem that the wave of nostalgia is going strong these days and there is quite a lot of emphasis being placed on Pandan Waffles served at neighbourhood bakeries — this provides an additional option for those around the area whom are having a craving for the said item. The Pandan Waffles are priced at $3 for those with a single filling, while those with double filling are priced at $3.80; espresso-based specialty coffee starts from $3.50 for a Double Espresso, to $7.50 for an Iced Kayacino. Somewhere to add to the list of places to check out for those whom are into Pandan waffles in general.

Flat white was fragrant and well-balanced. Reasonably priced, even without Burpple Beyond. A good find!

Need a pick-me-up? Give 3 Mins Coffee’s Genmaicha Latte ($5.80) a shot! It’ll be just what you need to start your day right.

Super affordable. Loved that they had the unsweetened option. Taste of the genmaicha was very pronounced. Owners of the place were super friendly too.

There really seems to be many coffee kiosks that have popped up around the Central Business District of the late — the latest of the lot seemingly being 3 Mins Coffee that has recently sprouted up at Downtown Gallery. Taking over the former premises of the now-defunct Saybons, 3 Mins Coffee joins the other establishments that have been serving up specialty coffee at Downtown Gallery for a while — this would include that of Lunar Coffee Brewers, PatisserieG, The Providore and 6oz Espresso Bar amongst others. The “3 Mins” in its namesake refers to their dedication in serving up their patrons with a cuppa within 3 minutes. Despite being more of a coffee kiosk, there is a simple dine-in area where one can have a cuppa and a pastry seated down — the seating area comprising of a few dining tables that seats about three pax each, as well as some bar table seats by the window overlooking Shenton Way. The menu at 3 Mins Coffee is rather simple; with a menu that focuses on specialty coffee, one can opt for either espresso-based coffee or pour overs here. Non-coffee beverages include chocolate and a Matcha / Genmaicha Latte, while there are also a variety of teas available as well. For those feeling peckish, 3 Mins Coffee does serve up a small variety of bakes such as danishes and muffins where one can pair with their coffee as well.

Visiting 3 Mins Coffee during lunch hours on a weekday, we needed to get one of their bakes to go along with the cup of Flat White that we had decided to go for. Amongst the selection of bakes in the wooden display case located by the side of the counter, we eventually found ourselves settling for the Maple Pecan Plait — something which we thought seems to be less commonly found at other establishments that we had visited in recent times. The staff behind the counter did tell us that they do not make their pastries and cakes from scratch on-site here — that being said, while these pastries are ordered in already made, the baking process is still done in-house to ensure freshness. We were asked if we would like for the pastry to be served warm for us; something which we were agreeable to. The danish itself was crisp and flaky; carried a somewhat of a light hint of buttery note that we were sort of expecting. What we were pretty intrigued by was how the pastry has pockets of maple syrup that is hidden within the plaits; carried that hint of floral sweetness that went so well with the chopped pecans on the top that complimented all of that with its evident nuttiness. Needless to say, the Maple Pecan Plait went well with the Flat White which we had; itself was a decent pull that featured a house-blend consisting of 50% Guatemalan beans and 50% Colombian beans that they roast by themselves — a cuppa that was more fruity, though albeit milkier considering how they had made it to be.

Whilst 3 Mins Coffee does add to the variety of options that one could go for specialty coffee within the Central Business District, we did feel that its location might put them in a less favourable position against the strong competition that is already within the same building it is in. Being situated in the same location as more notable names that are have a big presence within the local specialty coffee scene such as that of Lunar Coffee Brewers and 6oz Espresso Bar, it would be difficult for 3 Mins Coffee to break through what its competition has established for themselves for the number of years that they have been around. That being said, what 3 Mins Coffee does is pretty commendable — their dedication in serving up a cuppa within 3 minutes to target the busy office folks in the vicinity that they are in, as well as how they do serve up specialty coffee that is brewed using beans roasted by their very own does showcase some of their know-how behind the craft in their coffee in general. We also liked how they do serve up a variety of bakes that despite being pre-made to a certain degree and supplied to them, are baked in-house to ensure freshness for their patrons — though the spatial restrictions therefore leading to the lack of proper food options at 3 Mins Coffee might put them in a spot slightly lesser as compared to those that serve specialty coffee and mains in the eyes of the office folks during lunch hour. That being said, it would be interesting to see how 3 Mins Coffee go from here …