Was in the area not too long ago checking out yet another destination nearby; noticed that MADU The Bakery was already in the renovation works along Race Course Road. For those whom are unaware, Madu The Bakery had started business as a home-based bakery serving up Korean-style brioche buns — think the likes of the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread, though with their own twist (the Classic Garlic Bread is their rendition to the trendy Korean one which was making its waves locally some time back). The physical space, now opened at Race Course Road is a partnership between MADU The Bakery and the folks behind Ah Hua Kelong, who also runs Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong at Hamilton Road — the staff in the cafe dons tees from Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong here. With the expansion of the business into a full-fledged cafe, MADU the bakery now has its own dine-in space as well; the entire cafe is decked in what can be said as a Balinese-inspired design theme — very zen, with furnishings that also come with rattan elements with a wood accent finishing. Most of what is being offered on the menu here are also on display in the display shelves at the counter — these includes the various bakes and cakes apart from their Korean-style brioche buns as well; all of which are items that are newly-introduced alongside the launch of their brick-and-mortar store. This includes items such as sourdough slices (think an open-faced sourdough toast), sandwiches and cakes; beverages available here includes specialty coffee, soda, chocolate and tea.

We were actually pretty impressed by most of the items that we have got; that includes the Mentaiko Bun and the Bolu Keju (the Indonesian-style cheese cake, served with their own twist). For those looking for something more substantial though, the Cereal Prawn Croissant is indeed a showstopper — this item features elements such as Tiger Prawns, Yuzu, Mayo, Cereal, Red Chili and Curry Leaves served in a form of a croissant sandwich; the menu also indicates that it is “inspired by the delicious Tze Char dish”. We were really into how the croissant was pretty fresh here; there is always this thing where the croissant usually feels quite stale in a croissant sandwich but this one is flaky, buttery and crisp as one would have expected — had a really beautifully done lamination as well. In between sits all the good stuff — chunky prawns that carried a good bite whilst carrying a natural sweetness (wouldn’t expect less given their affiliation with Ah Hua Kelong), and comes accompanied with a good portion of cereal crumbs; the same way one would expect out of the tze char dish that adds on to the umami factor of the item. The chili padi added as well as the curry leaves did bring this rendition really close to what I would expect when I order Cereal Prawn as a dish in a tzechar stall; that fragrance and crispness of the latter and the slight spiciness when one chews on the former replicates that of what the dish is inspired from pretty closely. Personally thought that the mayonnaise and the sliced cheese wasn’t quite necessary, but I guess they were included to just make the elements of the croissant sandwich come together with the croissant itself. A westernised version of a local favourite that really does justice to what it was inspired from.

MADU The Bakery is pretty much off a promising start — having had a taste of what they have to offer, it is little wonder how they have had waiting lists for their brioche buns previously while they were operating as a home-based baker; there is really some true dedication and effort placed into the making of what they have to offer — an example being the croissant they have used for the croissant sandwich where they seem to have given a lot of care even on the croissant used, just so that the patrons have the best experience out of the dish. Given how they already have a fan base, and also how there is a lack of sit-down cafes with a decently-sized dine-in area around the Race Course Road area, MADU The Bakery would probably still be a promising spot worth making the visit for; a name that one should keep an eye out as time passes!