Kenangan Coffee (Raffles City)

($6.20) (30% discount - $4.32) so hmmm I opt out for oat milk and less sugar. But oat milk still strong taste but barely taste matcha tbh. So it's quite ok pricing for discount if u signed up for membership via app.

(Archipelago Reserve Blend)

(Archipelago Reserve Blend)

(Archipelago Reserve Blend)

For those whom have been passing through Raffles City Shopping Mall often enough, one would probably have noticed the hoardings of Kenangan Coffee for a while — a brand that has its roots from Indonesia, Kenangan Coffee is also known as Kopi Kenangan from where it had originated from. The brand had since expanded its operations into Malaysia some time back, with aspirations to extend its reach to the rest of Asia based on what is being mentioned on their corporate website — while the Raffles City Shopping Centre outlet had just opened its doors, there is also another outlet they is currently in the works based on their Instagram bio; the second our post in Singapore is slated to open at Changi Airport Terminal 2. Its Raffles City Shopping Centre space is located in the basement of the mall, occupying the area that used to be occupied by a number of small kiosks around where Omoté Raffles City and the outlet of XW Western Grill there. Whilst conceptually being more of at takeaway kiosk considering how Kenangan Coffee serves up their coffee in disposable ware, the outlet of Kenangan Coffee actually comes with a sizeable dine-in space that comprises of small tables with stools or cushioned seating. While the space adopts a largely monochromatic interior featuring black and white elements, there are splashes of pink around that provides a contrast of colours for a visual appeal. Kenangan Coffee is big on their specialty coffee offerings — the menu comprising of sections dedicated to Coffee, Non-coffee and Ice-blended drinks for the beverages that they have to offer. For those feeling a little peckish, there is a good variety of supplied cakes and savoury bakes that would cater to their craving for something light to go alongside their coffee.

Being a specialty coffee joint originating from Indonesia, Kenangan Coffee seems to place a heavy emphasis on the use of Gula Aren in their coffee offerings. For the uninitiated, Kenangan Coffee describes Gula Aren to be “a premium palm sugar derived from the sap of the Arenga Pinnata palm in Java” — one can liken it to that of the Gula Melaka that we are all familiar with in local context. Whilst Gula Melaka Layer Kopi is an item that is not too much of a rare find in local context, there are not too many places that would serve up Gula Aren with specialty coffee. Considering so, it was without doubt that the time which we had deducted to go for at Kenangan Coffee would be their Kenangan Latte — we opted for the iced version considering how we visited them after having a run. Kenangan Coffee describes its Kenangan Latte to come with elements such as espresso, milk and Gula Aren; think of it as a Gula Aren Latte. This isn’t our first exposure to a Brown Sugar-infused Latte; we did recall one which we were really impressed with in recent times during our trip to Bali, Indonesia from Makite Coffee House. In retrospect, the Kenangan Latte (Iced) was less rich; but perhaps more well-tuned to local tastebuds here considering how it focuses on the earthy notes of the Gula Aren with a slight hint of sweetness in its finish. The latte itself was pretty well-balanced despite the addition of palm sugar; a cuppa with evident nutty notes without being too milky and with a medium body. Overall, a considerably good cuppa especially given how it is from a commercial brand name; looking forward to giving their Avocado Coffee a go sometime soon!