Jea Kim
Google
South Asian/Middle Eastern-inspired cafe that brings a refreshing concept to JP, but its execution feels like a work in progress.
Came here for breakfast and lunch this past week. On my first visit for breakfast, I opted for the pistachio butter toast and Breakfast Sammy. The toast had a promising start — the nutty richness of pistachio butter paired beautifully with fragrant rose petals. Yet, the tartness tipped the balance and made it difficult to finish without the grounding comfort of their turmeric latte. As for the Breakfast Sammy, it was a solid option. The focaccia was fine, though not my personal favorite for a sandwich base, and I found myself wishing for a more generous slather of Calabrian chili butter to elevate the flavors.
I then returned with a friend for lunch and tried the Turkish-style eggs and Chicken & Rice. The Turkish eggs was essentially a deconstructed breakfast pita — jammy eggs, garlic labneh, and Aleppo pepper oil delivered on comfort but lacked a distinctive twist. Meanwhile, the Chicken & Rice offered a satisfying salad-rice bowl hybrid. The peanut ginger marinade added a nice twist, yet the dish was oddly similar to something I tasted from DIG.
Overall, the cafe undoubtedly has potential, with thoughtful touches and a welcoming vibe. Not sure if I would return just for the food, but definitely a great spot to casually hang out with friends.