Juparo Coffee Review: Crab Toast, Chicken Parmigiana And Blue Iced Tea At Potong Pasir

Juparo Coffee cafe in Potong Pasir

Update: Juparo Coffee is permanently closed.

At the mention of the North-East, perhaps the bustling heartland Serangoon and scenic Punggol come to mind. Less recalled is Potong Pasir, and I was excited to learn about Juparo Coffee’s venture in this underrated area.

We spoke with owner Stewart, a coffee enthusiast who previously worked in the financial line, and dabbled in running coffee carts part-time. Now, he hopes to achieve his end goal of creating coffee that’s loved by everyone, using Juparo Coffee’s in-house blend. Heartened by his ambition, I was eager to try the cafe’s menu offerings.

Food at Juparo Coffee

Despite its recent opening in December, Juparo Coffee already offers a comprehensive selection of brunch specials, mains, pasta, sandwiches, and light bites.

We started with their highly recommended Chicken Pesto ($13.50) pasta. At first bite, I was hit by the earthy basil in the pesto, enhanced with alfalfa sprouts. Also tossed within the pasta were shavings of grated parmesan, providing a nuttiness to its flavour. 

The sauce, however, was slightly bland overall and could afford to be more heavy-handed with the salt. Still, this was made up for by the well-seasoned chicken pieces and sweet cherry tomatoes.

What pleasantly surprised me was the linguine. Cooked al-dente, it remained firm throughout the meal despite being mixed with pesto. I would have preferred more sauce though, as the dish got dry towards the end.

Next, off their brunch menu was The Crab ($13.90), comprising deep-fried soft shell crab and poached eggs, sitting on a bed of tomato relish and sweet chilli sauce. These came atop a slice of sourdough, and with a side salad.

The soft shell crab arrived in a sizable portion, making the dish value for money. It remained crispy, despite the sauces underneath. Complemented by the sweet chilli sauce, it reminded me of chilli crab. However, I wished the tomato relish tasted stronger for more balance.

Airy and sponge-like, the bread had none of the hardiness we usually associate with sourdough, soaking up the sauces with ease. 

Cutting into the perfectly poached eggs revealed golden, flowy yolks that further seeped into the bread. 

Our last dish was the Chicken Parmigiana ($14.90), which consisted of grilled chicken thigh, topped with tomato concasse and mozzarella cheese. Sitting underneath were pan-fried mushrooms and a pool of garlic mashed potatoes. The dish also came with the same salad as The Crab.

While tender, the chicken was nothing to shout about and could use more seasoning. There wasn’t enough cheese, for that likeliness to pizza we identify this dish with, but the tomato sauce slathered above gave a nice tang.

What’s more, I enjoyed how the crunchy French beans and creamy mash provided some textural variation, livening up the dish. Doused in a citrusy dressing, the crisp salad made for a refreshing side too.

Moving on from the food, we were excited to try their drinks, especially with the strong scent of coffee wafting around the cafe. As a caffeine addict myself, I had to get the Kogeta Cappuccino ($6). 

Supposedly incorporating English Breakfast tea, we couldn’t taste any of it. Instead, the drink was reminiscent of crème brûlée, with a frothy top, and starring a caramelised sweetness from Japanese molasses. Fair warning, it can be too sweet for purists.

Alternatively, spruce up your feed with the IG-worthy Iced Kebaya Blue Tea ($6), that changes colour from blue to purple when you drop a dried citrus slice in.

Taste-wise, the tea was sharp, with floral and lemongrass undertones. Especially for non-caffeine takers, this makes a refreshing beverage option.

Ambience at Juparo Coffee

Juparo Coffee is only a one-minute walk from Potong Pasir MRT station, which makes it extremely convenient to get to.

The space is decked in wooden tables and warm lights, giving off cosy feels. Plus, it comfortably seats a laidback crowd of 38 people each round—perfect for whiling your afternoons away. If you prefer natural sunlight and alfresco vibes, there are also outdoor seats available.

The verdict

While the food is not mind-blowingly good, Juparo Coffee brims with potential, especially since they have only just opened in December. I’m excited to see how they will grow, and with that, I’ll definitely come back for another cup of coffee.

Prices here are also very reasonable as they are nett, and with all mains going for under $20. They don’t scrimp on the portion sizes too, despite the friendly price point. As the cafe scene in Potong Pasir is still underdeveloped, I can see how this place makes an affordable dining option for the neighbourhood’s residents. 

If you’re looking for more cafes in the North-East, check out The Whisking Well for burnt cheesecake and levain cookies, or Pints & Cones for ice cream and thyme waffles.

Address: 51 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-59, Poiz Centre, Singapore 347697
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 9pm
Tel: 6241 4041
Website
Juparo Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Richelle Vergara.
This is an independent review by Eatbook.sg.