Bold brews and cheesecakes: Hanco Coffee opens at Scape

If you’re a budding coffee enthusiast and are ever around Orchard, there’s a new coffee playground for you to explore: Hanco Coffee.

Newly opened on September 15 at Scape, this quaint little cafe offers unique and interesting spins on coffee, and whips up burnt cheesecakes, too! There’s even a small outdoor space where customers can hang around with their furry friends, while enjoying their cuppa.

What began as a personal passion project by founder Lucia Hee, 24, is now Hanco Coffee — a cosy spot where meticulous planning meets creativity. 

Behind the well-crafted coffee classics, refreshing specialty concoctions, and indulgent cheesecakes, lies half a year of rigorous testing, says Lucia.

The story behind its name is an adorable one, too — Hanco is inspired by her very own furry friends, her pet dogs Hannah and Coco! 

A cosy little hideout with fun brews

The cafe exudes such a warm and homey vibe that you’d want to hang around and get some work done while you’re there. There’s sockets available as well, making it a work-friendly space!

We popped by in the afternoon to try out some of their drink offerings, as well as indulge in their cheesecakes. Here’s what we tried:

We were really looking forward to Hanco Coffee’s specialty coffees. There were a number of quirkily named drinks that intrigued us, such as the Love You From My Heart To-ma-toes (S$18), which has hints of tomato juice and salted plum, but wasn’t available for the day.

Instead, we dove straight into trying the Mango Got Sticky (S$12) — and honestly, how could we resist, with a name like that?

This drink paired refreshing mango juice with coffee — an unusual combination that puts a tropical spin on an orange americano. 

To make things even more fun, the drink came served with a dried mango slice garnish, which the barista explained could be used to stir the drink. 

Flavour-wise, this was definitely more of a refreshing pick — something light and fruity that’s perfect for a hot day in Singapore. 

We wished the coffee notes had manifested more prominently, to balance out the mango’s sweetness, but it was a delightful choice nonetheless. There were small hints that reminded us of mango sticky rice — there were subtle notes of coconut milk in each sip — but the drink remained light and fresh on the palate. 

We’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys tropical flavours or is looking for something unique, rather than a pure caffeine hit.

Our favourite drink of the day? Hands down: The Berry Important drink (S$11). It was a unique choice for us —  strawberries are first fermented for 24 hours to bring out a deeper, almost yoghurt-like tanginess, before it is incorporated into the beverage. Paired with Japanese yuzu and bergamot syrup, this drink was a light and smooth choice!

It came with pink pepper bits on top of a coffee milk foam — giving the drink a refreshing lift. 

From its range of dirty coffees, we decided to go for the Rice dirty (S$8). This one stood out with its unique base of rice milk, which gave the drink a rich, velvety texture that felt almost like dessert in a cup. 

The sprinkle of Genmai bits (roasted kernels of brown rice and green tea) on top added a nutty crunch that helped to offset the rich creaminess of the milk. It was thick, satisfying, and gave that strong caffeine kick — a great pick-me-up for those who like their coffee bold, yet a little different.

The Thai tea dirty (S$8) was a standout for us, and one we’d happily go back for. Infused with gentle notes of Thai tea, it offered a smooth and slightly sweet profile that made it both refreshing and indulgent at the same time.

The flavour leaned more towards comfort and familiarity, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to try something new without straying too far from a classic.

Bites-wise, the homemade original burnt cheesecake (S$9) hit all the right notes — light, creamy and seriously addictive!  

Hanco switches up its cheesecake flavours from time to time, on a random basis, too. Other flavours include the pistachio, black truffle, and black sesame.

More for Hanco Coffee

Hanco Coffee’s menu seems plenty intriguing as it is, but we understand that this is just the beginning! 

Lucia and her tight-knit team of five are constantly exploring new ways of making coffee, and are looking to rotate the cafe’s offerings every quarter.

Hanco also hopes to try out hand-brewing its specialty coffee in the next year or so — something we’d be interested to swing back for.

If you’re searching for a fresh spot in Orchard to unwind, Hanco Coffee is one we’d recommend adding to your list. With fun and quirky flavours and an aesthetically pleasing space that feels welcoming and homey, this might just become your next go-to cafe!

For more eats, you might want to check out the new all-day cafe Bibik Violet, and Fortuna Terrazza at Craig Road.