Humble Origins Coffee Roasters – Savour Coffee Brewed With Beans From Myanmar in Joo Chiat

Joo Chiat is truly a neighbourhood with lots of good cafes, and yet another one has joined their circle. While they have a comparably compact menu compared to most places, what’s special about Humble Origins Coffee Roasters is that they brew their coffee with beans from the Shan hills in Myanmar! 

The couple who runs the cafe had been living in Myanmar for ten years and had worked with smallholder coffee producers from various villages during their time there. To them, coffee beans within the Asian region are often overlooked by the mass market. Not to mention, the small communities could only produce so much to meet the demand for it. 

The front of the cafe has a clean and minimalistic look, but venture further into the space to catch a glimpse of Myanmar’s coffee production which is depicted on the walls of the cafe. This also includes portraits of the folks who play important roles in harvesting the beans in Myanmar. 

The menu comprises small bites and brunch items such as Dashi Onsen Eggs with XO Kaya Yorkshire Pudding ($9), Ribeye Roast Beef French Butter Croissant with Arugula Salad ($26) and Smoked Ham and Cheese French Butter Croissant with Arugula Salad ($20). There’re also pastries and desserts like Grand Marnier Orange Cake with Madagascar Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ($12), Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Bun ($5.50) and Kouign-Amann XO Kaya ($5.50). 

Their Shan Hills coffee uses the stories blend of chocolate praline, vanilla pod and strawberry fig. Go classic with a Long Black ($5), or Flat White ($5 for 4oz, $6 for 6oz), or try their filter brews of Behind The Leaf Washed, Pinlaung ($7.50) and Behind The Leaf Honey, Pinluang ($7.50). They also have their very own cold-pressed juice blend Vitablast ($7.50) for folks who don’t fancy coffee. 

One of the more popular choices on the menu is the Truffle Mushroom Omelet French Butter Croissant with Arugula Salad ($23). Expect an omelette sandwiched between a slightly flaky croissant that has been buttered with truffle aioli and layered with caramelised onions which add a tinge of sweetness to the entire dish. 

The omelette was cooked with a mix of porcini and wild mushrooms, along with two kinds of cheeses. I liked how the eggs were cooked just right and there was a deep earthiness as well as a good bite from the mushrooms. I do wish that the cheesy aspect of the omelette was stronger. 

A traditional Burmese snack, the Shan Origin Tofu Fries ($12) sees thick cuts of fried chickpea tofu complete with sprinklings of shaved parmesan and sesame seeds. This was definitely an interesting dish that gets addictive gradually but with “lesser guilt” because tofu. There was a slight crunch from the outer batter and the soft tofu within was seasoned minimally. Even so, it went nicely with the flavours of the parmesan and sesame seeds. 

The tofu fries came with a homemade tamarind chilli dip and it definitely was strong on the spices. It lent a wave of tanginess and spiciness that pleasantly lingered, making it a great pairing with the tofu fries. 

For my drink, I wanted to try the Dirty Tiger ($7.50). The iced white coffee was infused with a dollop of gula melaka. While there was a slight fragrance from the latter in the coffee, the bold notes of the brew still took centrestage. 

Humble Origins Coffee Roasters does bring underrated options to the table, especially with their coffee. It’s definitely worth a shot for coffee connoisseurs and curious cafe-goers!

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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