Lately, we’ve seen a wild range of coriander-themed food taking over the internet by storm—from coriander chips and coriander cup noodles, to what seems like the abomination of culinary expressions—coriander gelato and even coriander cocktails at HUE Restaurant. Just when we thought we’d seen it all, a new contender has emerged: coriander coffee. Fortunately or not, this latest trend is now stirring up a frenzy on TikTok, leaving many to wonder whether it’s a delicious experiment or another bizarre food craze.
Curious to find out more, we made our way down to Coffee Bee, a small kiosk tucked away in a corner of The Arcade, one of the older and quainter malls in the CBD area.
There are two types of coffee beans to choose from: Dark Magic, a house blend with rich chocolate and nutty notes, and Fruity Delight, a single-origin coffee with chocolatey undertones and fruity accents.
We opted for the Iced Coriander Latte ($5) made with Dark Magic beans. This unique drink featured 20g of house-made coriander syrup, topped off with freshly chopped coriander for an extra burst of flavour. Just look at that layer of green at the bottom of the cup!
The first emotion I felt after taking a small sip was pure confusion. My colleagues had warned me that netizens claimed it tasted like Haidilao soup, but this was nothing like I had imagined. The coriander syrup was bold, yet not overpowering, and surprisingly blended smoothly with the coffee. The flavour came across quite literally as a mild coriander essence in latte form—distinct yet oddly harmonious.Â
Next, we tried the Iced Coriander Black ($5), made with the Fruit Delight coffee beans. Like the Iced Coriander Latte, it also featured 20g of house-made coriander syrup and was topped with freshly chopped coriander, offering a similar yet distinct flavour profile.
Having just tried the Iced Coriander Latte, I was better prepared for this drink. I knew the black coffee would have a much stronger flavour, especially since there was no milk to temper the taste . Taking a deep breath, I took a sip—this time, I was less confused and more surprised. It tasted like a strong, well-brewed black coffee with an unexpected coriander aftertaste. The coriander-infused coffee reminded me of a bowl of pho, but with the savoury notes swapped for the bitterness of coffee. It was intriguing, and I was pleasantly surprised. This is exactly the kind of drink I need to shock myself awake every time I’m experiencing a food coma.
If you’re looking for something a bit safer, be sure to try some of their best-sellers—Iced Matcha Strawberry Milk ($6.90) or Iced Honey Latte ($6.90)—both are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Coffee Bee is just a four-minute walk away from Raffles City MRT Station. The coriander coffee is only available for a limited time, while stocks last. So if you’re feeling adventurous, do head down to Coffee Bee to get your mind blown away by some pho-tasting coffee!
For more interesting drink combinations, for instance, Pipagao bubble tea, check out our Woobbee review. Otherwise, head to the nearby DESEM Dessert coverage for some hearty bakes in the area!
Address: 11 Collyer Quay, #01-15, Singapore 049317
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 2pm
Website
Coffee Bee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Marcus Neo
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg