Van Kafe: A Japandi-style spot nestled in Jurong with cosy glasshouse indoor seating
If there’s one thing Singaporeans will always show up for, it’s a good-looking, ‘gram-worthy cafe.
Opened in late October 2025, Van Kafe is one of Jurong’s hottest additions — and despite being tucked away in the ulu Jurong Play Grounds, it drew plenty of eyeballs when it first launched.
And there’s a solid reason why: The cafe’s Japanese-Scandinavian interior is a total vibe, anchored by stone and wood elements that create a soothing, cosy atmosphere.
Its indoor area sits within a glasshouse-like structure, offering a tranquil escape from the city — something most Singaporeans (us included) are always chasing.
Seating is plentiful here, too, with a breezy al fresco space and bar seats that feel just as inviting. Warm wooden accents run throughout the cafe, giving the space a cohesive, rustic charm.
The thoughtful layout comes as no surprise. Van Kafe is, in fact, founded by homegrown Van Hus Interior Design — and following its parent company, the name “Van” means “friend” in Swedish.
It’s a fitting nod to the cafe’s ethos: A space made for gathering and catching up over food.
What we had at Van Kafe
With the range of small plates, Asian and western mains, and desserts that’s on the menu, Van Kafe doesn’t hold back on variety.
We began with the sake steamed clams (S$16.40), simmered in a fragrant sake broth. If clams are your thing, this dish will be right up your alley — fresh, juicy clam meat and a comforting, lightly oceanic broth made better with the gentle warmth of sake.
Feeling adventurous, we also ordered the tako wasabi with tortilla (S$14.70) — a pairing we hadn’t quite seen before. It fell a little flat when it arrived though: The tortilla wraps provided were a bit of an odd match with the popular izakaya staple of cold marinated octopus in wasabi.
Our advice? Stick to the classics — we noticed tables around us opting for the honey garlic chicken wings (S$14.50), truffle fries (S$14.30), and even rojak (S$13.90).
We went for a main: The smoked duck pasta (S$23.70), featuring sliced smoked duck breast and spaghetti, tied together with an ultra-fiery kick of red chilli padi (bird’s eye chilli).
We probably should’ve seen it coming, but the intensity seriously tested our tolerance. The heat came off as straight-up spicy, overpowering the dish and masking the other flavours.
If you’re a die-hard spice lover, though, this might still be worth trying.
If you’re skipping mains and opting to share, the pizzas are an easy choice.
We had the standard margherita (S$28) that pairs buffalo mozzarella cheese and fragrant basil with a tomato base, as well as housemade chilli crunch on the side.
It’s ideal for sharing between two to three diners, and pretty much delivers on familiar, classic flavours. While it didn’t quite stand out as a showstopper, it was a pleasant option — especially if you’re looking for something comfortable and easy to enjoy at the table.
When it comes to drinks, you’ll find the usual cafe staples, cold-pressed juices (S$8.30), and homemade sodas (S$13).
If you want something with a little kick, Van Kafe also serves classic cocktails (S$19), including a negroni, highball, Aperol spritz, as well as beer on tap (from S$7), and even house wine (from S$15 for a glass).
It’s easy to understand why Van Kafe has been drawing a crowd — the space is a breath of fresh air, particularly for Jurong residents and those living in the west.
The cafe’s aesthetics are clearly its main draw, making it an enjoyable spot for a casual catch-up session, or even a relaxed afternoon out!
Hungry for more eats? Check out the immersive Jeju haenyeo dining experience in Singapore and Cat & Fiddle’s new dine-in cafe at Westgate.
Tue 12pm - 10.30pm
Wed 12pm - 10.30pm
Thu 12pm - 10.30pm
Fri 12pm - 10.30pm
Sat 12pm - 10.30pm
Sun 12pm - 10.30pm
- Jurong East
Shannon has the taste buds of a grandmother and perpetually struggles with a food coma.
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