I just love to blog about old makan institutions! With upgrading going on all the time, it is getting harder and harder to find something with a bit of nostalgia.
Everything about this place is just so original. From the fact that they still heat their coffee over a charcoal fire, to the fact that they still bake their own buns and scones at the back. The tiles on the walls reminded me of my childhood days living in a 3 room HDB flat in Toa Payoh. Heck, even the mould in the grout is probably older than I am. The only thing that was missing from the whole scene is the old Hainanese man in his pajama pants making coffee. It was instead replaced by a lady who looks as if she should be behind a desk of a fashion consultancy. Pretty stark contrast if you ask me.Come here for morning tea and step back to a time when life was simpler and the Indonesians were still happily giving us sand to push the beachfront further away.
They make only a few things in the bakery and they are all very "old school". I arrived in the late afternoon and only managed to get the last pair of raisin buns. In the morning the favourites are their custard puffs and luncheon meat buns. The buns may not look as glossy as the ones in the fancy new bakeries around town, but they sure taste good. The raisin buns with thick slices of butter had that quality about it that still gets me salivating just looking at it. 4.5/5
The kopi here is excellent, full bodied, robust with little acidity and though I stopped drinking coffee because of my reflux problem, this is one kopi I make an exception for. 4.5/5.
Conclusion
I really should just keep quiet about this one and keep it all to myself!
Chin Mee Chin Coffee Shop204 East Coast Road
63450419
8.30am -4pm
Closed on Monday
Post Script:
Could not stop thinking about the buns so I went back again and Walla! I managed to spot the old Hainanese man! Wow, he looks to be pushing ninety but he is still doing his stuff in the bakery. Talk about work commitment. Hats off to you uncle and thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a piece of Singapore's history.
CMC is an institution in Katong for a long time. Try getting a seat during weekends. This popularity is also reflected in the above average prices though still affordable. The bugbear for though is the difficulty in parking.
ReplyDeleteYa, I agree. I am also a fan to patronize these "oldies". I luv their custurd puffs, luncheon meat roll, and cream cones. Their toasts are spread generously with butter slice and kaya.. One fo the places I will drop down in the morning, if I'm in East Coast Road.
ReplyDeleteoh dear, the old uncle's back is bent with all these years' of toiling...
ReplyDeleteThe kaya is one of the best, though a bit too sweet, and better than Killiney ot Ya Koon. The custard puff was better in the past as the custard is not as soft now and no longer oozing out from the pastry. Expensive for the little custard in the puff.
ReplyDeleteLong live good Hainanese styled kopi-o!
ReplyDeleteah... yet another place of nostalgia by a Hainanese! :) Suddenly, I just feel a sense of pride being a Hainanese myself. Actually, I do love these places (such as this, Yet Con etc.. )because it is really getting so rare in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Singapore Heritage Board should make some efforts to perserve such shops... not just the exterior of the buildings but the interiors as well!
My kids love their chocolate cupcakes! Yum!
ReplyDeleteLove their soft boiled eggs, butter cake and sausage buns :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're around the area, can try the Hakka Yong Tau Foo opposite and the roasted duck at the coffeeshop along the same row (there are two roasted duck stalls on the left of the YTF stall but I prefer the one further away at the corner coffeshop)
CMC is well known and getting a seat is difficult. Are you sure they opened till 4pm? Whenever I passed by at around 2 or 3pm the shop is closed.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the hainanese will keep up with their traditional foods like kopi kaya toast, chicken rice, pork chop etc.
CMC for preservation status! lol
ReplyDeleteHeard rumours that LKY once had coffee there o_O
Well my favourite is - needless to say - the kaya roti. Also - although pricey, dad would buy a tub of kaya home for the family after church on Sunday evenings when CMC is semi-closed. (just in case u dunno, the old man usually waits till he clears 'stock' before closing usually at 7pm+ on Sunday! Or you can try your luck by the back door over at the alley)
My other favourite is the custard tart - the lightest, most delicate custard I have ever had!
What best way to compliment the pastry than with a cup of Teh-C.
That's teatime for me at CMC =)
kaya muffins ~
ReplyDeletehmmmm.... the tot of it already make me so unbeaaaarable! Nice kaya muffin wif frozen butter (rite from the freezer). luv it! luv it! luv it!
ReplyDeleteCMC is damn solid man! Went there today. Btw, can i take your nice picture of the toast and post it up somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteFor those who remembers (SJI/RI/CHIJ) the Red House Bakery at Victoria Street, CMC custard puff is very similar to those sold at RHB.
ReplyDeletei always wanting to visit this place but do not now the exact addy. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteits located between jago close and chapel road, just beside Holy Family Church.
ReplyDeletethe custard puffs used to be better. when it oozed out of the pastry. but their kaya roti, and kaya raisin buns are the best. killiney and yakun can take a hike!
ever seen the old man making kaya? he takes the eggs and hits them against each other to crack them before breaking them into the pot. so cute :)
ReplyDeletewell, this is the kind of stuff that the chains just can't get close to. good makan all the way. sigh.......
I tried. Don't like their kaya bun and coffee. Way toooooo sweet!!! Kaya quite tasteless. Disappointing.
ReplyDeleteCMC is always my second stop even after Jago coffee shop. Love the old time atmosphere. My colleague once said that if you go before they open, try the backdoor after 6am and the aroma of the coffee will hit you immediately; still not sure if they let u in at this hour to grab a sit.
ReplyDeleteYes they do, in fact many a times after morning service in church, I can already see that CMC is filled with students and early-bird workers even when their front shutter gate is still closed! That is at 6:45am.
ReplyDeleteCMC is one of the few (if not the only) places where charcoal is still used to toast your roti.
Interestingly, the fondest memory I have of CMC was way back in the 90s, where they were my church's 'official charcoal supplier' - we HFC altar servers used to 'borrow' their best charcoal for our liturgical services LOL.
So if CMC ever comes to its demise (God forbid), at least I can reminisce over its subtle tinge of custard and yeast that may have permeated the walls of the church =p jk of course.
THank HolyDrummer,
ReplyDeleteCMC here I will come the backdoor way...this is interesting cos it will be intriguing quiet when you eat there and have the whole coffee aroma sealed within and sometimes permeate to HFC too..gaga.