From the people behind Hvala comes Ingen Kyoto, a new cafe inspired by Kyoto-style teahouses. Focusing on the idea of tranquillity and being fully present, Ingen Kyoto adopts a peaceful and intimate environment so guests can enjoy their food in this zen atmosphere.
What sets Ingen Kyoto apart is its newly launched 8-course dessert omakase menu, also known as Zen Discovery. Priced at $88++ per person, this set consists of intricately designed Japanese desserts using French confectionery methods by pastry Chef Lee Jetyii, the brain behind the desserts.
Guests also have the option to add $15++ for a tea pairing session, where they can try out authentic teas from various parts of Japan after each dessert.
Of all the desserts we tried, my colleague and I both agreed that the Setoka stood out the most. As its name suggests, this elaborate dessert contains setoka, a type of Japanese orange, mandarin terrine, Japanese orange coulis, mandarin sponge and opaline, and it is topped off with jasmine tea milk sorbet.
The Setoka pairs well with the mountain-grown Benifuuki black Tea that’s part of the tea pairing option.
The Setoka was extremely sweet and juicy and had a refreshing tangy flavour. It paired well with the jasmine milk tea sorbet, which was light on one’s palate. Surprisingly, this dessert was also not too sweet, which left my colleague and I wanting more even after we were done.
The Benifuuki black tea had a light floral favour, but the tea’s astringency was quite strong too. Nonetheless, we enjoyed this paring the most out of all.
Another dessert we enjoyed was the Nama. It contains 68% dark chocolate cremuex, hazelnut streusel, cocoa nibs, Viennese sponge, chocolate thin wafer, chocolate foam, almond hazelnut feuilletine, and Bailey’s ice cream. It was paired with a ceremonial grade matcha from Kibune, Kyoto.
This dessert reminded us of an ice cream brownie, though it uses different types of chocolates that had varying textures. While it was slightly on the sweeter side, the matcha helped to balance the taste.
If an 8-course dessert menu is too much for you, Ingen Kyoto has an extensive a la carte menu with over 70 types of tea for you to choose from. They offer green tea, black tea, and tisane AKA herbal teas to name a few, but they also have pure matcha or a matcha blend for you to choose from.
If you’re looking for more desserts, check out Ami Patisserie, a dessert cafe in Orchard with limited pastries daily! If not, take a look at our list of IG-worthy dessert spots around Orchard.
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, B3-15/16, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Ingen Kyoto is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Maisie Chong.
This was a media tasting at Ingen Kyoto.