Wad Coffee in Bishan: This cute hole-in-the-wall spot even has yummy old-school pandan waffles
There’s a certain understated charm to hole-in-the-wall coffee joints, especially its no-frills, grab-and-go format that slots right into Singapore’s fast-paced routine.
One of the most beloved examples is KopiKhoo in Joo Chiat, run by the ever-lovely grandma Paulin Khoo.
Two months ago, Wad Coffee quietly popped up beneath a HDB block along Bishan Street 11.
While these set-ups are mostly for takeaway purposes, Wad Coffee offers two small wooden tables outside the shop — seating about eight — inviting customers to sip, or relax, while their drinks are being prepared.
Considering its heartland location, Wad Coffee keeps its menu concise, yet well-considered, serving beverages that cater to both coffee drinkers and younger taste buds.
The line-up spans speciality coffee and traditional kopi, alongside non-caffeinated choices, including hot or iced chocolate (S$5) as well as strawberry chocolate (S$5).
Wad Coffee also takes pride in making flavoured lattes using housemade syrups, such as gula melaka, vanilla, and salted caramel, which are priced at S$6.50 each.
That’s not all: Another highlight is its pandan waffles (from S$2) — a nostalgic snack commonly spotted at neighbourhood bakeries. Here, the waffle batter is prepared with hand-extracted pandan essence and made a la minute, of course, as all the best ones are.
Best of all, everything comes at reasonable prices — a long black goes for S$4.50, while a classic kopi-O is priced at S$1.50.
Among the row of shops under this Bishan HDB block, Wad Coffee seems like a refreshing change of scenery for the community.
Owner Muhammad Awad, 27, says that the unit used to house an ice-cream vending machine concept that didn’t quite take off, based on what the residents told him.
Since taking over the space, Awad has been enjoying the ride — buoyed by supportive word-of-mouth within the neighbourhood and the opportunity to meet new faces daily.
So if you’ve got the time and feel like yapping, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with the affable Awad!
What we tried at Wad Coffee
For most everyday drinkers, the iced latte (S$6) is set to be a fuss-free pick.
It’s a decent cup — smooth and easy on the tummy — with gentle nutty and chocolate undertones, though those who love a bold caffeine punch might find it a touch mild.
Still, for the price, it delivers good value and leaves you pretty satisfied.
We were curious about Wad Coffee’s Spanish latte (S$6.50), made by combining espresso with sweetened condensed milk.
Awad gave us a heads-up that his version is less sweet and creamier — a bonus, for me, since I find most Spanish lattes too sugary for my liking.
True to his word, it boasts a velvety mouthfeel, thanks to the espresso whisked together with condensed milk to create a light, foamy consistency, before being poured over the dairy milk.
Perhaps that’s why we found ourselves finishing this one much quicker than the regular latte — our clear favourite of the two.
If you have a soft spot for good ol’ waffles, trust us on this — don’t sleep on Wad Coffee’s take on it.
While pandan waffle prices have been creeping up these days — often paired with skimpy fillings, sadly — Wad Coffee’s rendition feels genuinely value-for-money, thanks to the generous layer of filling tucked within.
We had the OG cream cheese waffle (S$3) and fell in love with its fluffy texture. The housemade cream cheese spread was surprisingly light, too, with none of that heaviness or sweetness we had anticipated.
Appearance-wise, it’s chunkier than the typical old-school version. But it’s not a bad thing, in this case — the pandan-scented waffle remains enjoyably chewy.
This sweet treat is seriously shiok, accompanied with a good balance of batter and filling in every bite.
The classic choc hazelnut waffle (S$3) is another combo that you can’t go wrong with.
Wad Coffee certainly doesn’t hold back on the rich Nutella-like spread — it’s unapologetically sinful and well-worth every calorie. Just be careful when you bite into the waffle — it’s really, really loaded.
If you stay around the area and you’re not quite in the mood for a full cafe run, Wad Coffee is a handy little spot to sort out that caffeine fix, or even to snag a solid waffle for a midday treat!
If you love coffee, read more about speciality coffee concept Diff within a kopitiam and this hidden aesthetic cafe in Chinatown.
Tue 7.30am - 4.30pm
Thu 7.30am - 4.30pm
Fri 8am - 12pm, 3pm - 6pm
Sat 8am - 6pm
Sun 8am - 6pm
- Bishan
Shannon has the taste buds of a grandmother and perpetually struggles with a food coma.
Read more stories from this writer.New Openings Hole-in-the-Wall Cafes Singapore Waffles Bishan Specialty Coffee Kopi Central Local
