Hvala (CHIJMES)

Layers of sponge cake and chunky apple bits topped chestnut cream. Honestly, didn't really like this The flavours didn't gel together well and the apples had this funky artificial taste. Chestnut seemed more like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the dessert. Come to Hvala for the matcha but not for the cakes as all the ones I've tried have been disappointing so far.

We had initially wanted to share the dairy free waffles but since it was near to closing and they ran out of the waffles, we picked the an-butter brioche for sharing instead.

An-butter, which is Japanese sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans (anko) blended with rich butter. It’s sweetness was just right to balance the umaminess of the matcha gelato, while the butter was pretty subtle. The brioche bun was, however, slightly dry. You could have a choice of the bun being served alongside a scoop of oatmilk or matcha°1 gelato.

The consolation of missing a good cup of matcha from Japan is finding something similar from @hvala_sg. Boasting a velvety texture, Yuki, an everyday premium grade matcha delivers a harmonious balance of umami and natural sweetness. The mellow flavor profile encompasses a pleasant bitterness that is neither overpowering nor sharp with medium astringency.

A suggested pairing would be the Goma Slice, where layers of goma (black sesame) sponge and cream imparted a rich, toasty note that danced on the palate. The sweetness of the cake was perfectly balanced, complementing the nutty essence without overwhelming it. Recommended for sharing.

Their matcha Mont Blanc goes perfectly with their matcha latte

Matcha Azuki Parfait $14.80
Matcha Mont Blanc $9.90
Sobacha Cold Brew $7

Over here at Hvala, they churned three different types of dairy-free matcha gelato ranging from Matcha°1 with the lightest intensity of matcha to Matcha°3 with the strongest intensity of matcha.

I went with the popular choice of Matcha°2 with medium-intensity of matcha. It was thick, creamy and rich in flavour which was good enough for me without being too sweet while maintaining the slight bitterness of matcha 》$6.90