Toast Box: Hebi Hiam & Kopi

Earlier today I saw Toast Box open their doors, though they're still on soft launch. I was immediately drawn to the place as it was all white. There’s a shabby chic feel to it. 

I can see based on what’s written on the price board at the counter that they specialize in Singaporean toasts, with names all too familiar - kaya, kopi, Horlicks and Milo dinosaur.

But today I will try what they say is one of their specialties – Hebi Hiam Sandwich. And the lady at the counter says it comes with a kopi already. I did hear her say the word “shrimp” when asked what this sandwich is made of. The mention of shrimp in a sandwich plus kopi inclusive sounded good to me. How can anything go wrong?

First served was coffee. 

It was rich and I like the fact that they used condensed milk with it, or maybe it's something else, I'm not sure. It harks back to the days of youth when simple pleasures such as condensed milk in coffee or hot choco - hell even on rice, give much joy. 

Coffee... check!

Excitement builds up, what with a good precursor. And then it came - The Hebi Hiam Sandwich. 

I can already smell the aroma of toasted shrimp. It’s mouth-watering. 
I’m already drooling in my head. 

First bite and the taste of hot chili burned in my mouth. 'I am not giving up', I said to myself, in a very mind-over-matter kind of way. 

A second and a third bite and I can already feel the steam of hot air escaping out of my nostrils and ears. By now I’m like a whistling kettle. 

The fourth was just too much. I couldn’t take one more bite.

The look of disappointment is seen all over my face. I was staring blankly in nothingness while dousing my esophagus with sweet kopi and water. 

I just couldn’t understand why the lady at the counter did not warn me that this sandwich is a b!#ch. Good thing they are still on soft launch so they still have a chance to redeem themselves. I really think they should tone that sandwich a few notches down, or at least give people the option on the level of spiciness they want.

This one, unfortunately, is something I won't easily forget.

Noriter: 'Kitchie Nadal' Meets Coffee Shop

The morning after Hollys, I was again talked into having coffee (and to have my brunch at the same time) in another coffee shop that incidentally has Korean roots too – Noriter.

Noriter, I learned, is Korean for “playground”. And true to its name, the place smacks of everything childish - from toys, art works, even graffiti.

There’s no Korean food here though. And it’s not a place where you can indulge in good food either, as their offerings lack that certain quality.

For what it’s worth however, it’s the one place you can really feel relaxed and chat the time away with friends. So relaxed you can take your shoes off and sit on the elevated wooden floor as they have designated areas for such – no chairs, only short tables.

I ordered their Clubhouse sandwich, which is really just your typical clubhouse (I think Tropical Hut's tasted better) and my friend ordered Tuna sandwich, or more appropriately, lettuce sandwich with tuna, as attested to by the amount of green, leafy stuff (seen in the picture) and with the tuna almost nowhere to be found J

Clubhouse Sandwich

Tuna Sandwich

I was supposed to scribble some graffiti on the wooden floor but the guard gestured me not to. Tsk! What a shame.

Anyways, I just love that this place has so much kitchie-ness going on J