a brief inner monologue transpired as i ogled at my subject. 

"hmm.. a rare find..."

i berated myself for being so oblivious of its existence.

however, what's more upsetting was the time it took for me to seek it out.

no one was keeping tokyo secret's hanjyuku cheese tart a secret. in fact, it frequently slips its way into my conversations, where it often ends with my buddy swooning with praise and a craving for one.

if these were not telling signs that i needed one, i don't know what is. 

i'll let you in on a secret, though. unlike its name suggests, tokyo secret's roots began in tsim sha tsui, hong kong. while its appearance is akin to the local favorite - the egg tart, the inspiration behind is the molten cheese tarts in japan.

"oh no! did it not open today?" 

i thought out loud as i spied the yellow print of "TOKYO SECRET" punctuated against the dark brick wall.



from all the reviews i've read, it was rather uncharacteristic for this petite speciality pastry shop to be anything but crowded especially on a beautiful sunday afternoon. its popularity (some may classify as hype) is often translated into long queues out of the door and i had imagined a constant boisterous hordes of people spilling out of the petite shop despite being in a "hidden" spot in the ipc mall as it shared its space with a mac store.


delicious sweet fragrance of pastry baking in the oven emanated throughout the bright space, distracting us and most likely the two other diners in queue as we contemplated numbers. i breathed a sigh of relief. i made a quick beeline for the only available table out of the three while my companion had the task of procuring the prized treat, tagged at rm7.90 each.



so as i was saying, ogling at my subject.

the most unassuming golden tart with caramelized top and golden brown crust. i'd be lying if i'd say i didn't form a pre-expectation but somehow it worked in the tart's favor.


it was in the crust.
pleasantly surprised, the crust had a shortbread cookie buttery texture and sweet fragrance, crispy edges contained the slightly caramelized top of the half baked cheese slightly give as i took a nibble.  it almost distracted me from the thick molten cheese oozes slightly - delicate but rich in cheesy goodness, striking the perfect balance of dainty sweetness.


after wolfing one down gladly, it was obvious that i NEEDED another - i ordered one to go but not before having to wait for 10-15 minutes. people-watching from our seats, waves of people continuously flooded in periodically - it was then i realized, perhaps the stars were aligned when we first arrived because it only took us under five minutes to get ours.


this hanjyuku cheese tart assumed an alter ego of a cheesecake after spending a few hours in the fridge. the intensity of the sweet cheese flavor was distinct and the tart shell reminiscent of graham crust, emulating the cheesecake brilliantly.



often the antagonist/protagonist of the latest food trend is hype. while some have regarded it as overhyped, the hanjuku cheese tart at tokyo secret have proven its worth to me and defy the odds the moment i needed a second. #cheesescrust


tldr // each speciality pastry shop possess a special something and tokyo secret's charm certainly lies in its delicious hanjyuku cheese tart albeit its price tag.

tokyo secret | location 

g23, pic shopping centre,
jalan pju 7/2 mutiara damansara
47800 petaling jaya

{opens daily: 10 am - 10 pm} 

i had made plans with a friend to meet up at the book store before we headed out for a cup of coffee/tea. when i finally found her in the quiet book store in the late afternoon, she had already picked out a book by okakura kakuzou.

-- the book of tea.  

i almost chuckled,"i didn't know you were very much into tea too."

she and coffee has a special relationship, one that i might define as inseparable bffs - it was almost mandatory that by her side, a cup of coffee, be it warm/cold/decaf/with milk/straight black is necessary.

but, there are a few exceptions to the rule.


for one, tealily cafe's matcha latte is understandably a compelling one.

"unsuspecting without expectations but not without anticipation" was promptly substituted by "cravings deliciously steeped with excitement" after my first introduction to tealily cafe. hence, the 'understandably compelling'


nestled hidden within sukhumvit, the small cafe embodies the term 'teahouse' quite literally. a home converted into cafe, the decor reflected an old rustic charm in its mismatched wooden tables and chairs, where the owner drew inspiration from her visits to japan.


a framed drawing of a japanese girl with cats seemed to mimic tealily cafe's owner and her adorable scottish fold, mochi-chan :)


the one year old kitten (most likely the boss of this place), #mochithecat has his own personality and a need for independence (or so he thinks) but is very playful and during his spare time outside of his naps, he partakes the role of a good host, entertaining the guests at the cafe.




it wasn't long before i warmed up to the pleasant and cheery cafe owner and also felt right at home with her friendly mom. (plus my dining companion has become friends with the family) after conversations with the owner, it was her unmistakably passion and heart for the craft that shone most brightly behind her gentle demeanor - from sourcing high quality ingredients from kyoto, japan to keeping customers on their toes with the anticipation of regularly new creations on the menu, translating her personal insights into japanese culture.




beverage :: iced houjicha latte (thb 135)


resembling the appearance of local thai iced coffee, the darker hue of the houjicha - roasted japanese green tea - distinguished itself from the layer of milk, begging to be mixed for the first sip. it was a resounding expression of forceful roasted fragrance that lightly scorched the tips of floral notes of the green tea, rounded by the milk and murmurs of light sweetness. it was the depth of the intricate flavors that left a deep impression - and a declaration that this will be the yardstick for all the other future iced houjicha lattes.



beverage :: hot houjicha latte (thb 130)


its warmer counterpart served in a traditional mug, possessed a deeper, accentuated nuances that proclaimed its presence blatantly.  i crinkled my nose at i tasted the unexpected strength of houjicha. sip after sip, i mulled it over  --  and came to a conclusion: the cold version edges out the warm; it must be the balance of flavor notes it struck.

beverage :: iced matcha latte (thb 130)


unroasted, the floral fragrance of the japanese green tea charmed the tastebuds but with clarity and cleaner disposition, sweetened lightly by the milk. i can't remember my dining companion ordering any other drinks from tealily except for the matcha latte.


desserts :: goma dango | dango, roast white sesame, roast black sesame (thb 135)
i've noticed that the owner steps away and into the kitchen whenever customers places an order of dessert from the menu. desserts does take a little extra time to be served because of her devotion of churning out made-to-order desserts, served fresh and warm. dango, the japanese dumpling was warm and soft with a slight chewiness, contrasted texturally by the roasted sesame for nuttiness.

desserts :: matcha brownie | matcha brownie, whipping cream, matcha sauce (thb 125)


this brownie may bring joy to matcha enthusiasts; the comforting warmth of the moist brownie with the familiar japanese green tea flavors with a light sweetness was inviting, when paired with the whipped cream, lighten the whole affair - it exuded the coziness of a homemade dessert.

my friend revealed that the book of tea was more than just about tea but linked teaism to the aesthetic and cultural aspects of japanese life.


if this is how tea is supposed to taste like, perhaps it's not a bad idea to learn a thing or two about life from the book of tea.



tldr // what sets tealily cafe apart is the owner's sensitivity to technique, ingredients and her passion to share her personal insight into japanese tea and culture. made to order desserts philosophy and excellent green tea lattes, both houjicha and matcha makes tealily cafe one of my favorite cafes in bangkok.

tealily cafe | location 

sukhumvit 39,
soi prommit,
bangkok,  thailand
10110

{opens weekdays: 10:30am -6:30pm
weekends: 9:30am - 6:30pm} 

the car turned into a street where parts of it were flanked by a corridor of trees. it was faintly reminiscent of the street in front of my home where i grew up in. while savoring the memories from my childhood, it was a little down the street when i spotted the petite cafe in the commercial row on the first floor of a dated apartment. 

the car was parked by the side of the quiet street just across the street. i found my way through the dark wooden tables and red metal chairs tucked under to get to the glass entrance of the petite cafe. on the left on the dark brick wall were stenciled in white: 

KENNY HILLS BAKERS

organic artisanal breads

patisserie coffee

as i opened the door, the espresso machine squealed as the barista was brewing a cup of coffee while i inhaled the aroma. the sights of golden flaky layers on pastries beckoned at me while artisanal breads nestled comfortably in wicker baskets and the plump, crumbly huge wedges of pies & quiches stood on pedestals under glass cake dome, enticing me closer.

"wow, i don't even know where to start..."

several minutes of ogling at the cornucopia of golden pastries and pondering my important bread choices in my head later, it was the specials on the mini chalkboard that finally caught my attention.




i wasn't half as devoted to my pick as i inched myself towards the selections of pastries again, pondering which ones would go home with me. as i browsed its menu board, the next board read:

SELF SERVICE

please order & pay

at the counter 

and we'll send 

your food to you. 

we accept cash only

"oh darn. cash only. this means.. this limits how much i can buy."
which i suppose was a good thing. or not i'd be hoarding a whole lot of pastries i just can't finish.



it was just enough space for my dining companion and i to stand comfortably in the compact lil' bakery - perhaps suffice for one additional person to join in the pastry party.

a lone diner reading his paper contently at the high industrial counter against the wall after his hearty meal. we quickly realized that we'd be taking the definition of cozy lunch way too literally if we were both sardined at the counter.
torn between a very snug lunch space but with the comforts of air conditioning and the outdoor dining where the blinding rays from the sun sneaked its way through the crevices of the wooden blinds which only highlighted the heat in the middle of the afternoon, we chose the latter after a quick contemplation. the heat was occasionally relieved by the wall fan and a cold glass of the cafe's house cooler.

house cooler :: fresh passion fruit with wild organic honey (rm 10)


the punch of tropical tartness intermingled with the whispers of natural floral honey's mild sweetness, chilling in a glassful of ice cubes, with droplets of water condensed on the glass in the warm temperatures. the passion fruit seeds rendered the straw almost pointless and after struggling for a few seconds, i took a sip straight from the glass and was surprised by the prominent tartness that begged for the addition of just a bit more honey. refreshing, nonetheless.


specials :: smoked salmon & avocado salsa s'wich | choice of croissant/bread (rm 21)



i picked up the top half of the shatter-crisp shell to unveil plump greens atop the light pinkish-orange slices of fresh smoked salmon, sprinkled with freshly cracked black pepper. i flipped the top half of  the croissant to discover soft buttery layers mimicking the honeycomb insides.


the fresh slices of the smoked salmon donned a light layer of saltiness but barely took on the smokey fragrance. the butter-like quality of the diced avocado and fresh tomatoes (akin to roughly chopped guacamole) was interjected by unripe pieces of avocado.

i frowned as i bit into one and thought, "this is a real bummer"


if not for that slight hitch, i'd say it was a pretty hearty sandwich.

brew black potion :: mocha (rm 12)


brew with a  bitter aftertaste - overdone. the cacao/chocolate - not present.

our sandwiches :: beef pastrami bagel | with mustard & gherkins (rm 21)


as i stared at the sandwich, it was as if the pastrami was taunting me like an emoticon with its tongue sticking out. i had to request a pinch of the pastrami from my dining companion (it wasn't my order) and the moist meat tasted lightly smoked with a good hint of spiced saltiness. my companion gave it an average but i guess it wasn't fair when it was compared with its counterparts from deli in nyc - it's  just no competition.

desserts :: lemon meringue pie (rm 12)


even in the midst of the many colorful sweets, my cravings called for a good ol' fashion lemon meringue. torched brown, the crown of meringue nestled upon the lemon curd that filled up the tart shell. it had all the elements and flavors but were a hint wonky in its delicate ratio - too sweet.

a more crumbly crust and a more sour disposition would have done the trick to win me over.


tldr // kenny hills bakers dishes out legit buttery tender breads and lovely pastries with a few minor snags. its coffee - hmm.. i think that needs a second opinion.


disclaimer this is written based on personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

i flipped through my personal travel guide, making mental notes on the places i missed out the first time. 

it was just shy of 6 months since my first time. i was walking along the familiar quiet, tree-shaded alley, branching off from the busy and bustling main street as i walked towards my first weekend brunch  with my friend since i arrived in bangkok... again.

"oh, a new cafe just nearby! awesome..cos i'm really starving..."

my thoughts drifted just for a brief second - only half a year has passed but there were even more new cafes, trying to make a name for itself in this haven for coffee enthusiasts. 

after my first #bkkcaféhopping adventure (read here!), coffees and cafés were among the top things i was looking forward the most.

oh those and bagels...just mainly 'cos i've been craving for some good ones since i've returned from the US, which was several years ago....

.....so the craving was for  real. 

i snapped back to the present as we were led up to the second floor where the cafe's ambiance reflected a minimalist meet rustic with its warm, light wood hues blending in against the white brick wall; the space illuminated by the morning sunlight streaming in through the ceiling high, narrow bi-fold glass doors.

it was just one of the many cafes and hidden hole-in-the-wall local favorites i've tried as i checked them off my list. enthused doesn't begin to describe it. i've drunk way too much coffee and tea, tried the many desserts & brunches yet i am yearning to have more. 

i promise i will get to each one of them in separate posts as i try to devote the attention each of the eateries deserves, including the ones from the first series. no promises on the when though..

but first, the previews.

//1. brekkie.
organic brunch selections gravitating towards healthy.


//2. casa lapin x49.
a revisit to an old favorite for mocha. different location, same love.


//3. toby's.
a new kid on the block. rustic. cozy. classic french + new american brunch favorites.


//4. tealily's.
matcha & houjicha lattes mastered, close to perfection.

and of course the home of #mochithecat :)


//5. ceresia coffee.
a must have encore ofone of my favorite lattes.


//6. gallery drip cafe.
located in bangkok art and cultural center (bacc), an artistic with a touch of hipster stopover for an ice drip mocha.


//7. patisserie rosie.
delicately intricate desserts, flavors masterfully personified.


//8. d'ark.
another stopover - revisit for a teatime special. mini pastries + lattes.


//9. featherstone.
whimsy in its decor, faintly a la alice in wonderland.


//10. rocket.
the highlight: the d.i.y. hot chocolate. but caffeinated mocha was what i needed.


//11. warm wood cafe.
its name manifested in its decor, new american brunches with a twist.


//12. yellow spoon pastry.
quaint and simple cafe. my first canelé.
-- phenomenal.


full entries to follow soon after... i hope

having a foodie + coffee connoisseur friend who lives in bangkok is definitely a huge plus for me. and she's definitely have the formula down most of the time - delicious brunch and coffee with a punch.


even during my six-month-long absence after my first travels in the city, there were many new quaint and cozy cafés, offering a haven in their quaint, comfy space and their delicious renditions, seeking to find their spot in this ever evolving, exciting food scene in bangkok. so during your next visit, make time for a pit stop at these cafes for a quick cuppa or perhaps a sweet dessert or two, as you take a short break from your adventures, exploring this bustling city.

disclaimer this is written based on personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

p.s. 
-- apologies for the erratic entries. travel, life and work has taken over my life lately. and i've recently picked up online gaming again. but i will be striving to write a few entries on local eateries and some on bangkok in the next few weeks.