SYIP Cafe Review

Syip was founded by Sandee Yip and her older sister Sara Yip in June 2021 with their initials inspiring the wordplay for the brand. Now you know why SYIP is SYIP and not SIP. They’ve since set up shop in two locations: one on Owen Road, just a few minutes’ stroll from Farrer Park MRT, and another in Bendemeer.

^{SYIP Cafe – Front Entrance}

Officially reopening on August 27th, 2024, the Owen Road outlet has undergone a complete interior makeover.

^{SYIP Cafe – Interior}

It’s been transformed into something sleek, modern, and utterly inviting. Picture clean lines, minimalist decor, muted colors that are easy on the eyes.

^{SYIP Cafe – Interior}

A cool mix of minimalist industrial vibes with a touch of Japanese zen, all warmed up with wood accents. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, sip your coffee, and feel like you’ve made a good life choice.

SYIP Cafe’s New Menu

SYIP Café’s menu is a creative blend of cuisines, with a playful nod to Japanese influences. With dishes like Matcha French Toast, Kani Crab Sando and Hojicha Black Sesame Tiramisu, It reads like a menu that knows how to keep things interesting.

^{SYIP Cafe Review – Prawn Bisque Risotto}

Prawn Bisque Risotto ($24): This was a plate of creamy Arborio rice swimming in a rich prawn bisque, with three tiger prawns lounging like they own the place. The risotto is smooth and velvety, with just enough bite to remind you it’s not plain old porridge.

^{SYIP Cafe Review – Prawn Bisque Risotto}

The prawns are tender and plump, with its head still attached waiting for you to suck its juices out. It’s a dish that manages to be both comforting and impressive bold in flavour. Not sure how they did the broth but it has enough depth to keep us going in for more.

^{SYIP Cafe Menu – Kani Crab Sando}

Kani Crab Sando ($20): The Kani Crab Sando at SYIP Cafe is like your favourite sandwich decided to dress up for a fancy party. It starts with soft shokupan bread, buttered and given a slight char for that perfect, slightly crispy exterior.

^{SYIP Cafe Menu – Kani Crab Sando}

Inside, you’ll find a generous helping of kani crab mix, along with pickled cucumber and a slather of mentaiko mayo. Bonito flakes add a bit of umami flair, and a glob of ikura gives it that extra pop of flavour. Buttery, creamy, and umami. Very good.

^{SYIP Cafe – Sliced Avocado Toast}

Sliced Avocado Toast ($18): The avocado toast here is your usual brunch favourite, but with a bit of a show-off. It starts with toasted bread that’s generously layered with sliced avocado—because why go small?

^{SYIP Cafe – Sliced Avocado Toast}

Then, they top it with a poached egg, which is basically a yolk-filled time bomb waiting to add some drama. The real kicker, though, is the nori kombu cream cheese spread, which gives the whole thing a touch of sea-flavoured sophistication. It’s avocado toast that’s taken a few extra steps to make you feel like you’re having a meal that’s both simple and slightly pretentious. It’s good.

^{SYIP Cafe – Matcha French Toast}

Matcha French Toast ($16): SYIP pulled out all the stops with this one, decking it out with enough garnishes and edible flowers to rival a Michelin-starred dish. This green matcha-flavored toast hides a gooey matcha lava center that oozes out like a well-kept secret the moment you slice into it.

^{SYIP Cafe – Matcha French Toast}

It’s topped with strawberries, blueberries, and crushed pistachios, plus a sprinkle of edible flowers for that extra touch of brunch bling. It’s as if this French toast wants to be the star of the show and is perfectly happy to make your morning a bit more fabulous and fun.

^{SYIP Cafe – Mini Trio Toast}

Mini Trio Toast ($15): The Mini Trio Toast is kinda like a dessert sampler. You get three pan-fried buttered brioche with different spreads: Earl Grey kaya for a hint of sophistication, maple mascarpone for a sweet kick, and kinako azuki for a “dousha” fix.

^{SYIP Cafe – Mini Trio Toast}

Each toast is pan-fried to a golden crisp with buttery edges, giving you that satisfying crunch and a butter toasted flavour. It’s a low-key way to enjoy a variety of flavours and textures without making a big fuss

^{SYIP Cafe – Hojicha Black Sesame Tiramisu}

Hojicha Black Sesame Tiramisu ($12): Here, Ladyfingers are soaked in hojicha tea, giving them a unique twist, and then layered with a black sesame mascarpone cream that’s creamy with a nutty kick. It’s all topped off with a dusting of cocoa powder because, well, tiramisu. However, the flavours are a bit on the subtle side—I wished they’d come in a bit stronger, maybe even punch me in the face with their intensity. Looks amazing tho.

Overall, I had a good experience at SYIP Cafe. The food packs a punch with bold flavours that tell you the chef knows what he’s doing. The Kani Crab Sando was a standout with its surprisingly complex layered taste and the prawn bisque risotto was pretty impressive. The ambiance is cozy, but if you’re seated along the main wall, it can get a bit tight, so don’t expect much privacy—think of it as a cozy squeeze rather than a spacious retreat. I just wished the portions were a bit more generous—seemed like they were designed for a smaller person, or little cafe side dishes.

Food 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Service 4/5
Expect to spend: $20-30 per head