When Carlos invited me to review Ya Kun Kaya Toast for Foodie Manila, it took less than twenty seconds for me to reply with a resounding YES. Ya Kun Kaya Toast in Pasig is one of the latest word-of-mouth wonders to hit the local foodie joint — a coffee shop which I’ve been hankering for a trip for since writing this recent entry. And so we planned that after our Saturday run in Ateneo, the three of us would go to Ortigas to meet Richard Co and try out his import from Singapore.
As we entered Ya Kun Kaya Toast, I was struck by how much it didn’t feel like a coffee shop. There were no couches or coffee tables. The strong scent of brewed coffee that’s the signature of Starbucks branches the world over was nowhere to be found. In fact, if you drive by the coffee shop on the street, you’ll most likely mistake it for a Chinese noodle house.
We settled on a table to wait for Richard, the owner. Carlos leaves again to get his gear from the car. I pictured a tripod and a digital SLR the size of a bucket which seems to be their standard these days. While he does arrive with a tripod and a camera, it takes two more trips to bring in what looked like umbrellas, his laptop, and two more bags worth of other flashy gear.
At this point I wondered if Richard would withdraw his invitation to us because we were scaring his other customers.
Richard soon arrives and was probably as boggled with the photography ammunition as I was. Fortunately, he took our invasion of two entire tables well (it’s a relatively small coffee shop) and gave us a warm welcome.
“So what would you guys like?” Richard asked as he presents us with the menu.
The words “peanut butter” predictably draws my immediate attention but I was soon pulled to mentions of “chocolate butter” and “kaya jam” with the curious inclusion of “soft-boiled eggs” into the mix.
Have you ever experienced flipping forwards and backwards through a menu for ten minutes — not because you can’t find anything to eat, but because you frigging want to eat everything? I was a kid in playland.
Given how Carlos was transfixed by his test shots and Ginell was studiously playing his assistant, the pressure was on me. I could’ve sworn sweat was popping through my forehead as I picked the set meals we would be having. Sadly, as much as the Peanut Butter Toast Set beckoned, I was too shy to throw it in.
Brewing Tea
Pulling Coffee and Tea
As we waited for our food to arrive, Richard made like a mini whirlwind in the restaurant, ushering customers to their tables, checking in behind the counter, and chatting with us as Carlos experimented with lighting. Every now and then my stomach would give a growl. It needed food now.
One of the waiters finally came with all of the orders and set them down on the table. The plan was for shots of the dishes be taken first before we satisfied our post-run selves. May I just mention how hellacious a task it is to stand there and wait while the mouth-watering aroma of toast and jam slithered into my nostrils?
Cheesy Toast
As my teeth finally sank into a piece of Cheezy French Toast, I knew the wait was worth it. I expected kaya to taste something like the local coco jam since I read that it’s also made of coconut. However, where coco jam has the too-thick consistency and high sugar sweetness of caramel, kaya jam is soft enough to dip bread into with the flavors of coconut being the star of the show.
The taste explosion of kaya jam with cheese and french toast made my ravaged tummy sing the Hallelujah’s.
Kaya Toast w/ Milo
I had the initial impression that the Milo Toast was something thought up by Richard himself to appeal to Filipinos. Call me ignorant but Milo has always been a local product to me. Richard explained that in other Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore, Milo is something of a staple drink. Milo Toast is definitely a Ya Kun Kaya original.
This was a hit with Carlos who wolfed down the pieces of toast with gusto. I’m not much for chocolate milk or Milo though. The Milo powder topped with condensed milk makes for a nice breakfast but Ya Kun Kaya’s other toast variants trump this one.
Soft Boiled Eggs w/ Singaporean Soy Sauce
We needed guidance with the eggs. Ginell and I faced the bowl with some hesitation. Really, the yolks were the size of typical whole eggs in our household. Scary. Richard added a dash of pepper and a small amount of Singaporean soy sauce for us to stir into the eggs. Strange. Then again I’ve been known to dip shrimp into ketchup.
Taking a piece of cheezy french toast, I dipped it into the egg mixture and took a bite. Salty and sweet is always a winning combination for me and this was no different. I can’t tell what part the pepper plays since I barely tasted it but soy sauced runny eggs shall now be partnered with toast when I eat my breakfast from now on.
French Toast w/ Kaya
As I remember, this was the last dish to be wiped clean. Sitting next to the variants of Milo and cheese, the French Toast fell on the bland side of things. I blame it on our spoiled taste buds.
Kaya Toast w/ Butter
Kaya Toast w/ Butter
Butter. Its ability to make anything so delicious makes it my guilty pleasure. I was prepared to bite into a normal piece of toast with the normal taste of kaya. When my tongue felt the unmistakeable texture of butter, I closed my eyes and let out a long “Mmmmmmmm…” of bliss. I’ve found my favorite.
To me, it’s a good idea to try out the basics before delving into how something’s evolved into. For Krispy Kreme, it’s the Original Glazed donut. For popcorn, the salted buttered ones will always be a classic. The Kaya Toast with Butter is Ya Kun Kaya’s must-try for first time customers.
Dinosaur Milo
Death by Milo. That’s how I’ll rename this drink if I was ever given the chance to. “Milo Dinosaur” was the only thing to come out of Carlos’ mouth when asked what he wanted. He already ate most of the Milo Toast, what perfect drink to pair it with than the Milo Dinosaur?
It’s pretty much iced Milo chocolate milk piled with quite a bit of Milo powder on top. It probably has more Milo bits making it up in between that Ginell and Carlos shared. I passed. They’re both probably still running on Milo right now.
Iced Lemon Tea
This was a last minute order suggested by Carlos, who heard raves from his blogger friend that Ya Kun Kaya’s Iced Lemon Tea was incredible.
Now I’m not much for drinks — especially iced tea. In the Philippines, it’s always made entirely too sweet and their powdered origins are evidenced by their unpleasant aftertaste.
Richard, confident in his Iced Lemon Tea, ordered a glass for each of us to properly cap off a very satisfying breakfast. I didn’t protest. I’ve learned by that time that when it comes to this coffee shop, I’ll probably like anything it comes up with.
Made with brewed tea (not powder!), sugar, and lemon, the Iced Lemon Tea truly refreshes you after a heavy meal and I was far from disappointed. It’s an iced tea in the Philippines that doesn’t taste like it’s made up of 90% sugar! The combination of lemon and tea is both soothing and stimulating. I sucked through my straw noisily to the last drop — something I haven’t done in a long time.
Want a taste of Singaporean kaya toast? Richard proudly offers the real thing — the only one in this part of the world apart from its imitations, I’m told. But for someone who doesn’t really care if what I’m eating is authentic or not, as long as it’s good food, Ya Kun Kaya Toast stands well enough on its own. I’m still counting on that yet-to-be-tried Peanut Butter Toast to blow me away.
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
G/F Fern Building, Escriva Drive
Ortigas, Pasig City
470-4285
ykkortigas@gmail.com
I see many more visits to Ya Kun Kaya Toast in the future! Omnomnomnom! ^_^
[...] 8, 2010 at 00:01 (Food) As promised, details on our first visit! Click here for Wil’s entry. I swear, if you don’t visit YKKT after reading this…then I must [...]
Bubba was just there visiting again yesterday!
I want Ya Kun Kaya soft-boiled eggs and crunchy toast!!!
Hmph, you had a different date Carlos! :p
I wanna try this.. I so love kaya toasts in singapore!!
My breakfast in Singapore is at Ya Kun Kaya in Sembawang Close every morning. I love their coffee and the toast is perfect. Never thought that eggs and soysauce together would be sooooo good. It’s a good thing we have it here now in Manila.
Must try it out as I pass through the area…