The folks behind popular Chu and Co launches Shu Bakery, serving a whole-new brunch and dessert menu

If you’re a seasoned cafe hopper, chances are you’ve already heard of Chu and Co in Serangoon Garden. 

The sourdough bakery has built a huge following for its cosy “backyard garden” setting and distinctive handcrafted bakes.

Earlier this month, the folks expanded with a brand-new sister concept Shu Bakery — this time swapping picnic mats and camping chairs for a proper sit-down space at Kovan. 

Given Chu and Co’s cult-like popularity, it’s hardly surprising that Shu Bakery has been making rounds on social media. When we dropped by on a weekday afternoon, the cafe was already buzzing.

But unlike its free-spirited, self-service sibling, Shu Bakery comes across as slightly more polished, while still exuding a relaxed neighbourhood charm.

The 31-year-old Rui, half of Chu and Co’s founding duo, tells us the idea was to create a diverse menu of comforting dishes at Shu Bakery — the sort you could happily enjoy everyday.

That’s why the cafe focuses on more substantial plates — quite a refreshing difference from the bake-centric identity Chu and Co is best known for. 

Here, diners can look forward to an entirely fresh line-up of brunch fare, plus Chu and Co’s all-time favourites such as the iconic kopi Bomb (S$14 for six pieces) as well as a selection of rotating bakes — albeit with a more curated selection, by comparison with its OG counterpart. 

New to Shu Bakery is also a variety of desserts, including tiramisu (S$12) and the “Shu Forest” (chocolate cake with salted cream and cherries, S$7.50).

Inside, Shu Bakery is reminiscent of a friend’s thoughtfully styled home — dressed in wooden tones and moody lighting.

The mix of round communal tables and long rectangular seating creates a more relaxed and informal layout, which keeps the space from feeling too rigid.

Along with the consistent use of honey-toned wood elements across the whole shop, everything comes together with a grounded, cosy warmth — a welcoming enclave that encourages you to linger, or even enjoy a quiet solo meal. 

What we had at Shu Bakery

If kaya toast is your ultimate comfort food, you’d want to go straight for the Chu & Shu toast (S$15.50). 

Served as a pair of open-faced toasts, one comes crowned with homemade kaya custard and thick slabs of salted butter, while the other layers on Brazil nut chocolate praline, banana slices, and cocoa nibs. 

Naturally, the kaya toast was the star. The jam carried a delicate pandan fragrance without being overly sweet, while the unapologetically generous butter added that rich satisfaction every kaya-toast lover secretly hopes for. 

Meanwhile, the chocolate praline on the other half was slathered a little too thickly, which made each bite feel slightly dry for my liking. Still, it’s hard to go wrong with the classic pairing of chocolate and banana.

Among the savoury options, the duck rillette toast (S$18.50) easily emerged as one of our favourites. 

The plate features a luscious shredded duck spread, topped with crispy shallots, chopped salad, and asparagus, served alongside housemade ricotta and crisp toast. 

The spread itself was wonderfully succulent, with a creamy texture that reminded us of a tuna spread, in the most comforting way. 

On its own, the protein leans a tad salty, but a swipe of ricotta smooths everything out beautifully, especially when piled onto the toast. 

Out of everything we tried, this was the one plate we kept reaching back for, in between bites. 

For something more delicate, the kombu maitake toast (S$18) is worth a try. It arrives as a generous mound of grilled maitake mushrooms atop a slice of toast, finished with a snowfall of parmigiano reggiano cheese. 

Mushroom lovers will likely gravitate to this one — the lightly seasoned maitake carries a deep, nutty earthiness that feels clean without overwhelming the palate. 

There are more variations to explore as well, including the crowd-pleasing avocado toast (S$13), cold stracciatella toast (S$17.50), and even an indulgent uni scrambled egg (S$26) if you’re feeling fancy.

There’s also a warm multigrain oat porridge (S$10.80), packed with goji berries, red rice, longan, red dates, and red beans. 

Rui jokingly calls this her “old-person taste buds” order, and honestly, the description fits a little too well. With its line-up of nourishing ingredients, it has that homespun quality that feels extremely hearty.

What we appreciated most was the balance. Even with all the naturally sweet components, the porridge is soothing, yet not cloyingly sugared. The coconut milk gently softens the earthy grains, while the longan and red dates bring little pops of chew.

Shu Bakery also offers a few sharing plates for the table, such as the veggie plate (S$15) — a vibrant assembly of creamed leek puree, cauliflower, Japanese corn, charred leeks, pine nuts, and green oil. 

Don’t be fooled by its all-green appearance — this is far from a token vegetable dish. There’s an unexpected appeal in how everything comes together, and we found ourselves especially drawn to the sweet, juicy charred leeks. 

The ultra-silky leek puree — the dish’s backbone — tempers the sharper vegetal notes, binding everything with a luxe creaminess. 

For drinks, the unique Ayurveda Golden latte (S$6.50) is a gentle way to ease out of the meal.

Rui amusingly calls it “a bunch of weird stuff put together” — referring to its mix of turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and coconut oil. 

Surprisingly, all these elements come together more cohesively than expected. It tastes like an unsweetened spiced chai with a more earthy undertone, making it incredibly soothing and easier to finish than you might think.  

Of course, there are the espresso staples, alongside non-coffee options such as matcha latte (S$6.50), chocolate banana smoothie (S$7), and yuzu lemonade (S$6.50).

Whether you’re already familiar with Chu and Co, or not, Shu Bakery is well-worth a visit, especially for those in the Kovan area.

Even if you’re not usually up for brunch fare, but still enjoy cafe-hopping, this new spot makes for a versatile alternative to the usual line-up.

For more eats in Kovan, check out the Muslim-owned bakery Flour Artisanal at Space@Kovan and the viral shio pan bakery Kohpan.