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Thus Coffee: An In-Depth Review of a Hidden Gem in Upper Thomson
In the sprawling, ever-evolving culinary landscape of Singapore, the search for the perfect neighbourhood cafe is a perpetual quest. We hunt for a place that transcends the transactional nature of a simple meal—a place that offers a respite, a comforting plate, and a truly excellent cup of coffee. Tucked away from the main thoroughfares and bustling malls, in the quiet residential enclave of Sembawang Hills Estate, lies Thus Coffee.
With an impressive Google rating of 4.5 stars from over 1,100 reviews, Thus Coffee has clearly captured the hearts of many. But what is it about this unassuming spot at 4 Jalan Kuras that warrants such high praise? Is it a true hidden gem worth seeking out, or does the reality fall short of the hype? This in-depth article will dissect the food, coffee, ambiance, and overall value proposition of Thus Coffee, blending real customer experiences with thoughtful analysis to give you a comprehensive guide.
Finding Your Way: The Journey to a Neighbourhood Haven
One of the defining characteristics of Thus Coffee is its location. Situated on Jalan Kuras, it’s nestled deep within a private residential area, far from the noise of Upper Thomson Road itself. This location is both a challenge and a charm.
For those reliant on public transport, it requires a little more planning than a trip to a mall-based cafe. The nearest MRT station is Mayflower (TE6) on the Thomson-East Coast Line, but it’s still a considerable walk. Several bus services ply the nearby main roads, but a short walk through the serene neighbourhood is inevitable. For drivers, street parking is available but can be limited, especially during peak weekend brunch hours.
Analysis: This “ulu” (a Singlish term for secluded or remote) location is a critical part of its identity. It filters out the transient, convenience-seeking crowd, cultivating a customer base of local residents and dedicated cafe-hoppers willing to make the journey. The result is a more relaxed and communal atmosphere, a stark contrast to the high-turnover, high-stress environments of more centrally located eateries. The journey itself becomes part of the experience, a deliberate act of seeking out a peaceful corner of the island.
The Ambiance: A Quiet Respite from the Urban Hustle
Stepping into a cafe like Thus Coffee is often about the feeling as much as the food. Reviewers frequently describe it as a “quiet” spot, especially on a weekday or a lazy Saturday afternoon. This tranquility is its superpower. In a city where personal space and quiet moments are premium commodities, Thus Coffee delivers an environment conducive to conversation, reading, or simply decompressing.
While the provided reviews don’t detail the decor, one can infer a cozy, unpretentious setup. The focus is clearly on comfort and community rather than flashy, Instagram-driven aesthetics. The mention of enjoying stews on a “rainy day” paints a vivid picture: a warm, inviting shelter from the tropical downpours, with the aroma of coffee and hearty food filling the air. This is the quintessential neighbourhood cafe experience that many Singaporeans crave.
The Main Event: Deconstructing the Menu at Thus Coffee
A cafe’s ambiance can draw you in, but it’s the menu that makes you stay and, more importantly, return. Based on customer feedback, Thus Coffee has several clear culinary highlights, alongside a few points of contention that merit a closer look.
The Star of the Show: The Revered Pulled Pork
Across multiple reviews, one dish is consistently showered with praise: the pulled pork. One customer declares it “super delicious,” noting that “the pork is tendered.” Another, while wishing for a slightly larger portion, still described it as “delicious.” This level of acclaim suggests a meticulously prepared signature dish.
Paired with a “very crispy” croissant and “perfectly well cooked” scrambled eggs, it forms a breakfast plate that one reviewer claimed “makes my day a good start” and promised a “return for sure.”
Analysis: The success of a pulled pork dish hinges on the “low and slow” cooking method. The tenderness mentioned by customers indicates that the kitchen team at Thus Coffee invests the time and effort required to break down the connective tissues in the pork shoulder, resulting in a succulent, flavourful product. Pairing it with a high-quality croissant and perfectly executed eggs elevates it from a simple dish to a well-composed brunch plate. For any first-time visitor, the Pulled Pork Croissant seems to be the safest and most rewarding choice on the menu.
Breakfast Perfection: The Art of the Scrambled Eggs
It may seem trivial, but the quality of scrambled eggs is a reliable barometer for a brunch cafe’s attention to detail. Dry, rubbery eggs are a cardinal sin. Thus Coffee appears to have mastered this fundamental skill. Reviewers consistently describe their scrambled eggs as having a “perfectly well cooked” texture and being “not dry.”
This detail is significant. It shows a kitchen that understands temperature control and timing, refusing to cut corners on a component that many other places treat as an afterthought. It’s this commitment to getting the basics right that often separates a good cafe from a great one.
Hearty Comfort: Stews for a Rainy Day
Beyond the standard brunch fare, Thus Coffee offers heartier options like beef and chicken stews. One glowing review from Jasmine Goh highlights these as “awesome,” especially on a rainy day. This speaks to the cafe’s versatility and its understanding of its local audience.
Analysis: Offering stews is a smart menu decision in a climate like Singapore’s, where sudden, heavy rainstorms can change the mood in an instant. A hearty, flavourful stew provides a deep sense of comfort and satisfaction that a salad or sandwich simply cannot. It positions Thus Coffee not just as a brunch spot, but as an all-day dining destination that can cater to different cravings and weather conditions.
A Point of Contention: The Sharing Platter Dilemma
No establishment is without its critics, and a scathing review from user “J L” provides a crucial counterpoint. The review details a “$97 platter supposedly for 4-5 pax” that was perceived as a “scam” due to its “lacking in portion” and “subpar in taste.” The sausages were “dry DRY,” and the beans and mushrooms were deemed a “1 person portion.”
Analysis: This review is too specific to be ignored and raises important questions about value and expectation management. A near-$100 price tag for a brunch platter sets a very high bar. While the platter might contain premium ingredients, the customer’s perception of value is paramount. The description of dry sausages and small side portions suggests a potential execution issue on that particular day or a fundamental flaw in the platter’s design.
For prospective customers, this is valuable, actionable information. It suggests that while the à la carte items like the pulled pork are consistently excellent, the large-format sharing platter may be a gamble. An objective recommendation would be for groups to consider ordering individual mains instead. This approach allows everyone to try the cafe’s proven strengths while likely offering better-perceived value for money.
More Than Just Food: The Beverage and Dessert Program
As its name implies, coffee is central to the identity of Thus Coffee. But the offerings extend well beyond a simple brew, catering to a wide range of tastes.
The Coffee Connection
Reviewers praise the coffee as “excellent” and specifically mention the “long black” and a more unique “Ginger Latte.” The Ginger Latte, mentioned positively by two separate reviewers, suggests a creative and well-executed specialty drink menu. This is a cafe that respects the classics while also daring to innovate. Friendly and attentive staff, as noted by one customer, further enhance the coffee experience, ensuring that drinks are served with a smile.
Sweet Endings and Healthy Sips
The beverage and dessert menu shows impressive diversity. The mention of “Yuzu cake and Blackforest cake” being “nice” indicates a solid pastry and dessert selection, providing a sweet finish to a meal.
Furthermore, the availability of “3 kombucha flavours” caters to the growing demand for probiotic and digestive-friendly beverages. This demonstrates that Thus Coffee is attuned to current wellness trends and aims to provide options for health-conscious patrons, not just coffee aficionados.
Service, Value, and The Final Verdict
The final pieces of the puzzle are the service model and the overall value proposition. Here, again, we see a slight divergence in customer experience.
The Service Model: A Common Point of Confusion
Most reviewers found the staff “friendly and attentive.” However, the negative review mentioned being charged a service charge despite an “order at the counter” system. Another reviewer noted, “Not much service rendered as you have to take order at the counter.”
Analysis: This is a common practice and point of contention in the Singapore F&B scene. Many cafes adopt a hybrid model: you order and pay at the counter, but staff bring the food to your table and clear the plates. The service charge, typically 10%, is often justified as covering the wages of the entire team—including the kitchen crew who cook the food and the staff who maintain the restaurant’s cleanliness—not just the floor staff who take orders.
While legally permissible, it can feel counter-intuitive to customers who associate a service charge with traditional, full-service dining. The key for establishments like Thus Coffee is communication. A small sign at the counter explaining what the service charge covers could mitigate this friction and manage customer expectations more effectively.
The Final Verdict: Should You Visit Thus Coffee?
After weighing the overwhelming praise against the specific, detailed criticisms, a clear picture of Thus Coffee emerges. This is not a place of gimmicks or fleeting trends. It is a genuine, quality-focused neighbourhood cafe that has built a loyal following by mastering the fundamentals.
Who is Thus Coffee for?
- Brunch Lovers: If your idea of a perfect weekend involves a stellar plate of pulled pork or perfectly creamy scrambled eggs, Thus Coffee is a must-try.
- Cafe Hoppers Seeking a Quiet Nook: For those tired of noisy, crowded establishments, the secluded location and tranquil atmosphere are major draws.
- Residents of Upper Thomson and Beyond: It serves as an excellent local hub but has enough standout dishes to be a destination cafe worth travelling for.
- Coffee and Cake Enthusiasts: With a strong coffee program, specialty lattes, and appealing cakes, it’s a great spot for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Who might want to think twice?
- Value-Hunters Wary of Platters: Based on feedback, if you’re a large group, ordering à la carte seems to be the safer bet for both quality and value compared to the expensive sharing platter.
- Diners Expecting Full Table Service: Be prepared for the counter-ordering system. If you philosophically object to a service charge in this context, it might mar your experience.
In conclusion, the high rating of Thus Coffee is well-deserved. It thrives by delivering exceptional quality on its core offerings, particularly its signature brunch dishes and coffee. While the sharing platter appears to be a notable misstep for at least one customer, it seems to be an outlier in a sea of positive experiences.
Thus Coffee embodies the soul of a great neighbourhood cafe: it’s a little out of the way, it’s unpretentious, and it focuses on doing simple things exceptionally well. It’s a place that earns its reputation not through marketing, but through the quiet, consistent delivery of delicious food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For that, it is absolutely worth the journey.
