BYD BY 1826: New Pet-Friendly Cafe At IMM With Biscoff Kopi Pork Ribs & In-House Roastery

BYD BY 1826 opens in IMM

The West side has cafes aplenty, but the newly opened BYD BY 1826 in IMM introduces something special to the fray: a pet-friendly lifestyle destination that combines food, quality coffee, local craft beers, and a showroom for the Chinese manufacturer’s signature electric vehicles (EVs).

BYD BY 1826 is not new to the F&B scene, having established several restaurants in the CBD as well as at Zhongshan Park. Their latest IMM opening, however, is decidedly more laidback, focusing on homely brunch fare over the more Western menus of its sister restaurants.

According to the brand, BYD BY 1826 was designed to evoke a feeling of groundedness and quiet intentionality, and in our opinion, they’ve nailed it.

Step into the IMM cafe and you’re greeted by a sleek lineup of BYD models taking pride of place at the entrance, a clear nod to the automotive lifestyle the cafe wants to convey.

Just beyond the display sits the dining area and a beautifully textured coffee bar, where calming neutral tones are lifted with subtle pops of greenery.

Beyond the decor, the cafe’s menu is also worth shouting about. For brunch, expect tried-and-true dishes reinvented with local twists.

For instance, the Chilli Crab Shiok- Shuka ($18++) remixes the Middle Eastern breakfast staple by baking eggs in a tangy chilli crab sauce instead of the usual stewed tomatoes. Chunks of crab dot the moreish sauce, best enjoyed dipped with the focaccia that accompanies the dish.

Purists can order the Good Morning 1826 Brekkie ($18.26++), the cafe’s take on the classic American breakfast formula, with juicy sausages, bacon rashers, tater tots, eggs, and slices of toast.

For lunch and dinner, expect the same fusion formula applied to Singaporean favourites.

The Biscoff Kopi Pork Ribs ($28++) is a standout: a playful spin on the classic zi char favourite, with coffee-glazed ribs enhanced by Lotus Biscoff biscuit crumbs. The result is fork-tender pork coated in a smoky glaze with some serious caramel depth.

Another signature worth adding to your order is the Nyonya Beef Rendang ($28++), slow-cooked for hours in a light, rich rempah. Add-on $3 for a portion of jasmine rice, and you’ve got a top-tier comfort meal.

For fans of Italian-Japanese fare, Fishy Bizniz ($24++) is where it’s at. Here, risotto is cooked in a creamy garlic-miso sauce and topped with a slab of sweet miso-glazed cod.

Nibbling on sides is just part and parcel of dining at a cafe, and thankfully, BYD BY 1826 has plenty of fun small bites to keep the munchies at bay. The well-seasoned Crispy Smashed Potatoes ($12++) and Salted Egg Fries ($18++) were the two standouts we tried.

Pair your food with locally roasted specialty coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha drinks, or craft beers by local brewery, Sevendaze.

Overall, BYD BY 1826 is worth the trip to the West. Far from feeling like a showroom gimmick, the cafe stands on its own with a relaxed atmosphere and thoughtfully executed food and drinks. The opportunity to peruse some of BYD’s most celebrated EVs simply elevates the experience.