More than meets the eye: Desserts at Gudetama Cafe Singapore

Are you sure that's a bowl of ramen you're having? How about that cold tofu dish that is served together with it?

Diners will be in for a pleasant surprise when they order desserts at Gudetama Cafe Singapore, with servings of 'Ta-ma-go' and 'Shoyu ramen' playing tricks on their tastebuds.

When the 112-seater eatery opens at Suntec City Mall this Wednesday (Nov 30), patrons can 'nua' together with Sanrio's lazy egg character in the Food Playground or Garden for a relaxing and enjoyable meal.

Fans will also find the endearing and relatable Gudetama shielding itself from our sunny island's heat with a mint leaf.

Sure, the Gudetama-styled food looks adorable, but is it all show and no substance?

AsiaOne gets a taste of some items on the highly anticipated menu, and here's our verdict:

Try: "I'm Cold" Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict ($26.90)

Served on a frying pan, two poached eggs were stacked neatly on a layer of mashed avocado and brioche toast, that had a firm yet tender crunch. Generous portions of smoked salmon lined the sides of the poached eggs.

The Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict exploded with rich flavours on our taste buds. The citrus flavour of the atypical Yuzu hollandaise sauce complemented the taste of the runny egg yolk and buttery avocado. The dish was also served with seasonal greens, tater tots and a dash of ebiko.

Try: Gudetama Lobster Onsen ($16.00)

Scooped into a bread bowl, the velvety lobster bisque with a poached egg in the middle bursts with a strong lobster flavour and will certainly satisfy seafood lovers' cravings.

For those who are not into rich flavours, try dipping the slightly salted bread into the soup. The bisque was delectable and the chewy lobster meat also gave it an extra oomph.

Try: Shoyu Ramen ($21.50)

At first look, we could tell that much thought and effort were put into designing this ramen lookalike - probably thanks to the cafe's collaboration with local bento artist Shirley Wong (@littlemissbento on Instagram).

The dessert was made with chocolate and feuilletine cake topped with layers of chestnut Mont Blanc, earl grey jelly and orange tuile. Matcha Pocky bits and chocolate shavings mimicked the appearance of scallions and seaweed.

While the first layer of the dessert was saccharine, it complemented the other ingredients that were milder in taste. From the crunchy caramel wafer to the melt-in-your-mouth panna cotta, there was a delightful interplay of textures.

Try: Straw-very Lazy ($8.50)

The strawberry-infused sparkling drink is also worthy of a mention. Paired with a light but fragrant rose tea, the drink was definitely a refreshing thirst-quencher.

Give this a miss: "Are you busy?" Burger ($27.50)

This burger has double beef patties topped with melted cheese, bacon strips, and a sunny side up egg.

Fans of succulent beef burgers will be left wanting by the patties that we found a tad too dry, and the toasted brioche buns fell short of our expectations because they were too greasy.

However, the thick-cut fries that came with the burger were flavourful and well-complemented by the barbecue sauce.

Generous portions great for sharing

Overall, the dishes were innovative and delish.

Although the items on the menu appear to be a bit pricey at first glance, we found that most dishes are quite affordable, considering that the generous portions are great for sharing with family and friends.

Prices range from $18 to $38 for main courses, and side dishes start from $12.50.

The service staff at the cafe are polite and friendly, but hungry diners may not be able to hold out long enough for the intricate dishes to be served. They can also expect long queues at the cafe's opening.

If you can't bear to part with the lazy egg, you can take selfies with the life-sized figurines in the cafe, or bring home some cakes or limited edition merchandise.

Nonetheless, to all Gudetama fans: Hang on! The wait is almost over. 

Gudetama Cafe Singapore opens on Nov 30 at Suntec City Mall #01-361. Opening hours: 9am to 10pm (Monday to Thursday), 8am to 10pm (Friday to Sunday).

minlee@sph.com.sg