Welcome to Rochor.

Hadn’t really been trying out vegetarian spots much in recent times, but found out about the existence of this new vegetarian spot that had recently opened its doors in Jalan Besar. Named So Sweet Dessert by So Green, they are a pretty recent addition to the Jalan Besar neighbourhood being situated at 23 Upper Weld Road just a short walk away from Jalan Besar MRT Station along the Downtown Line. We are not quite certain of which establishment did So Sweet Dessert by So Green actually replaced, though one thing that is known about that particular shophouse unit that it occupied was that it was once tenanted to a bar named The Luxe Bistro at one point of time. Despite its past, the space that is now offer by So Sweet Dessert by So Green seems to have been stripped away of its past — the location now bears a very clean aesthetic in its exterior, while the interior takes on very refreshing look that resembles that of a patio in a garden with faux plants on the mesh grill placed just below the ceiling as well as a faux tree that is located near the entrance; interestingly also features faux durians hanging at random points of the shop. While its namesake actually suggests that the spot is positioned towards being a dessert cafe, it is interesting to note that So Sweet Dessert by So Green does also serve up hot food that is In categorised into sections comprising of Orh Luak / Vegan Orh Luak, Pizza, Burgers with Fries & Salad, Salad, Sides, Baked Pasta / Rice, Pasta, Classic Carbonara, Ramen Soup / Dry Ramen, Pan Mee Soup / Dry Pan Mee and Udon Soup. So Sweet Dessert by So Green also have an extensive selection of Chinese-style desserts, Bingsu and Injelomi Toasts; the range of hot and cold Chinese-style desserts comprises of items sectioned into categories like Durian series, Mango series, Hot Dessert, Pancake and Milk Custard.

We did manage to try some of the items from the hot food menu of So Sweet Dessert by So Green; in particular, the Tom Yum Seaweed Pan Mee and the Truffled Minced Meat Dry Pan Mee which are both items that are being listed in the Pan Mee Soup / Dry Pan Mee section of the menu; these were unfortunately rather un-memorable and did not really leave an impression with us. It does seem that So Sweet Dessert by So Green is pretty much stronger when it comes to their dessert offerings; and especially so with the Durian series while at it — doesn’t take much for one to wonder why they have actually placed faux durians hanging from various points within the establishment that hints of their signature offerings. Having skimmed through the menu on the various items in the Durian series section of the menu, we eventually found ourselves going for the Durian Mousse — for those who just cannot get enough of durian flesh within the usual durian mousse, So Sweet Dessert by So Green does offer the Durian Double Shot that is essentially the Durian Mousse with an additional scoop of durian flesh that works especially great if one were to share the dessert amongst a group of three pax and above.

There are durian mousse that we have had from other establishments in the past that were mildly disappointing — this is especially so when the establishment serves up the mousse layer too icy or too bland / liquid. One can feel icy bits within the Durian Mousse from So Sweet Dessert by So Green, though this seems to be intentional considering how the durian mousse itself is already quite heavy on the pungent notes of the King of Fruits — the icy bits seemingly being there just to keep the entire dessert chilled and cool which keeps those flavours at the optimal level. Despite ordering the Durian Mousse that comes only with a single portion of durian flesh, we did feel that it already came with sufficient durian flesh to go around the entire bowl; a good proportion of durian mousse and durian flesh that not all establishments would manage quite as well. Having a little bit of the durian flesh with the durian mousse, the durian flesh helps to further enhance the flavours of the entire bowl of dessert, as well as to provide a fibrous texture gives some contrast to the durian mousse as well. At $7.80, it is probably not the most wallet-friendly offering, though one that is well worth the money to satisfy the cravings of any durian lover out there. Apart from Durian Mousse, other dessert items that caught our eye include more standard offerings like the Black Glutinous Rice, the Classic Milk Custard and the line-up of “pancakes” that are essentially identical to the crepe roll offerings that most Chinese-style dessert shops tend to serve up — things that we would probably fine ourselves trying if we were to revisit So Sweet Dessert by So Green in the near future!

Dessert omakase for the dessert fans. The desserts were unique and refined, and it was an enjoyable casual, intimate experience watching Huishan prepare each item.

The second main was a medley of soy milk foam, soy milk gelato, and soy milk curd. Comforting and clean-tasting on its own and enhanced by the pairing with donuts. These donuts were amazing in their own right - crisp and airy with a salty cheese core (and are available alacarte).

Dessert omakase for the dessert fans. The desserts were unique and refined, and it was an enjoyable casual, intimate experience watching Huishan prepare each item.

The first main was presented as a guessing game (so skip if you don’t want to find out!). While seemingly straightforward creamy vanilla ice cream, jelly film, and pomegranate, the dusting of powder was a blend of soursop and pomegranate which had an interesting depth beyond tanginess reminiscent of strawberry.

Lee’s Confectionery’s cessation of business was one that seemed to have been felt by the cafehopping scene and the residents around Jurong for quite a bit — the establishment being one of those rare gems in the far West alongside their unique creations is something that seems to be deeply-missed by those whom have been to Lee’s Confectionery before. It does seem that the folks have been working on a new concept ever since; Nickel is a concept conceived by the same folks behind Lee’s Confectionery, though this time situated at a more centralised location in the island. Nickel is located at Middle Road; despite being situated in the city this time around, there is still some level of obscurity in the surroundings that it has chosen to operate at — the establishment being tucked at a corner of a dead-end road between where the former TMC Academy was at along Middle Road and the iconic David Elias Building that has since been preserved; not a spot particularly known to have been occupied by F&B tenants in the past. Whilst Lee’s Confectionery was a more simple set-up that was also of a cafe-like nature, it seems that the direction taken for Nickel is more towards something a little more upscale — the lighting comes with a yellowish hue being slightly on the dim side to evoke a certain vibe; the look of the space can also be said as raw with its use of concrete-esque finishing for the walls, floors and ceiling that is matched against wooden furniture and fittings. There is a deliberate sectioning done for the dine-in space; the seats towards the front of the space are mostly counter seating while proper dining table and chairs suitable for groups are located towards the end of the space. Visiting Nickel during its soft launch phase, there are only a limited selection of items available; this includes a small variety of danishes that are baked freshly in-house, as well as plated desserts similar to what they have offered previously when they are Lee’s Confectionery in the past — the items offered being on a rotational basis as daily specials. Beverages available at Nickel includes espresso-based specialty coffee, drinking chocolate, and artisanal brewed tea.

Offered as a rotating special on the day of our visit to Nickel, the Matcha Sesame Choux with Matcha Yuzu Ice-Cream was an item that is not being listed on any menu nor being displayed in any way during our visit to Nickel on a weekend afternoon. Instead, the item is being mentioned to us in narration — this also meant that we did not have a visualisation of how the item would look like until it is served to the table. On first sight, the Matcha Sesame Choux with Matcha Yuzu Ice-Cream looks like an item where they had somehow forgotten about the sesame — turns out, one can actually find sesame paste filled within the choux as one slices it apart. It is noted that the choux here is actually served in a way that the pastry is sliced into half; not an encased pastry with the filling piped in. Still, the pastry itself was crisp on the exterior yet light and airy within.

The matcha filling and sesame paste was an interesting combination of its own — there was some sort of nuttiness going on from the roast-y notes of the sesame that matches with the inherent bitter undertones of matcha that is so familiar, yet kinda foreign but complimenting. That being said, all gets even more appetising as one reaches the Matcha Yuzu Ice-Cream; it is clear that the dominant notes of the dessert is Matcha and this is very much a Matcha-based dessert at hearty but the use of Yuzu provides a light tang that keeps things interesting and refreshing from the main element of the choux pastry here. We also tried the danishes that they have to offer — something that they introduced at Lee’s Confectionery during its later stages of operations which was not too sweet, yet buttery with well-defined layers. Lee’s Confectionery was an establishment with humble roots that garnered a loyal following over the years with their innovation, execution and attention to detail — Nickel does seem like a continuation of Lee’s Confectionery birthed out of the experience and growth through said establishment; a more mature form to take the brand to further heights without having been tied to its roots. We look forward to what Nickel has in store for us as it enters into its official opening and full launch of its menu — certainly a name in the local F&B scene to keep a look out for!

Ordered the Salted Egg Pork Rib ($6.50) + egg ($0.70) and it was delicious and filling. This explain the long line of queue waiting for seats

Founded in February 2018, Twenty Eight Cafe is a casual cozy cafe serving large hearty portions of mains, all-day breakfast, and pastries. They're known for being a great place to work remotely, with plentiful seating, free wi-fi, and ample power sockets.
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The folks at Twenty Eight Cafe welcomed a new in-house concept in December 2022 of Catkin By Huishan, an artisanal gelato and plated dessert bar.
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The Seafood Aglio Olio (SGD $22) mixes it up with silky al-dente spaghetti pasta noodles tossed in hae bee / dried shrimp, garlic, and chili, giving it a distinct shrimpy savoury salty spice flavour that tingles the palate. Bits of juicy tomato and wispy alfalfa sprouts lend vegetal bitter sweet flavour, while chunks of tender deshelled crab meat within lend sweet savoury flavour.
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Completed with large crunchy shell-on prawns, which burst with smoky sweet salty savoury flavour when bit. A robust tasting dish with strong flavours that work well together.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

The Croissant Tuna Mayonnaise (SGD $12) features a large crisp outside soft inside croissant bread, filled with fresh crisp lettuce, juicy sliced tomato, and chunky tuna fish mayonnaise.
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Each bite carries lovely bready vegetal fishy savoury sweet flavour.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

This features a large crisp outside soft inside croissant bread, filled with thick tender slices of spam luncheon meat, and fluffy creamy soft scrambled eggs.
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Each bite carries a satisfying bready meaty salty eggy sweet savoury flavour.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

This features a bed of smooth chunky mashed potato with starchy sweet flavour, together with juicy grilled shiitake mushrooms and crisp wilted spinach with vegetal earthy sweet salty flavour, beside an add-on of fluffy creamy soft scrambled eggs with eggy sweet savoury flavour.
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Topped with a duo of juicy snappy crunchy pork sausages with robust smoky meaty salty savoury flavour, accompanied by a rich veal gravy with meaty salty savoury flavour, and thick tomato ketchup with vegetal sour sweet flavour.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

Got the Flat White (SGD $5.90) with low-fat milk, and it has a smooth velvety texture, with medium strength. Carries a toasty earthy milky flavour without any bitter notes.
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The Long Black (SGD $4.90) has a smooth velvety texture, with medium strength. Carries a toasty earthy flavour without any bitter taste.
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The Iced Earl Grey Tea With Strawberry (SGD $6.90) is served sugar-free, garnished with slices of fresh juicy strawberries, and is nicely refreshing. Carries an earthy fruity floral sweet flavour, yum.
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Visually, it's obvious telling apart the Latte Single-Shot (SGD $5.90) & Double-Shot (SGD $6.80), with the former being lighter and the latter being darker. Compared to the other coffee I've had here, this seems slightly stronger in depth.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

This is a unique artisanal creation, infusing the fruity sour salty sweet flavours of umeboshi / pickled ume fruit and the vegetal herbal earthy flavours of shiso / beefsteak plant, into the creamy smooth ice cream.
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Beautifully presented and alluring, this was a surprisingly intense treat.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html

This is warm and soft, infused with addictive notes of lemon and butter. The cake carries a nice zesty tangy sour sweet fruity flavour, yum.
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Twenty Eight Cafe
More details:
https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2023/11/twenty-eight-cafe-and-catkin-by-huishan.html