Generation Coffee Roasters Hong Lim: Is This Singapore’s Best Modern Hawker Kopi?
In the heart of the bustling Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, a modern blue-screen menu and the hiss of an espresso machine stand out amongst the traditional hawker sights and sounds. This is Generation Coffee Roasters, a stall that has built a loyal following by cleverly bridging the gap between Singapore’s old-school kopi culture and the third-wave coffee movement. But does this high-tech approach to a local classic live up to the hype? We take a deep dive.
The Concept: Traditional Nanyang Flavour, Modern Precision
Generation Coffee Roasters’ unique selling proposition is simple yet brilliant: they serve traditional Nanyang-style coffee, but instead of using the classic cloth “sock” filter, each cup is pulled from a high-end espresso machine.
For the uninitiated, Nanyang coffee is a Singaporean and Malaysian staple. The beans (typically Robusta) are roasted with sugar and margarine, resulting in a dark, rich, and distinctly caramelized profile that is robust and low in acidity.
By using an espresso machine, Generation Coffee ensures that every cup is made with freshly ground beans, offering a level of consistency and flavour clarity that can be challenging to achieve with the traditional brewing method. As reviewer Winston Ho notes, this technique ensures every cup is “consistent and flavorful,” a sentiment echoed by many who queue for their daily fix.
Analysis of the Brew: Hits and Misses
Based on customer feedback, the star of the show is unequivocally the kopi.
The Signature Kopi: A Resounding Success
Customers rave about the quality of their local-style coffee. Reviewer Faith describes her iced Kopi C Kosong as “super gao [thick], creamy, and has a nice roasted aftertaste.” Similarly, Nghia Truong, a self-proclaimed daily visitor when in Singapore, praises the “very nice” Kopi, noting the milk mixture is “a bit special.” The ability to customize your drink—asking for it to be sweeter, less sweet, or thicker (gao)—is a significant plus.
The prices are another major draw. An Iced Kopi C Kosong for $2.60 or an extra-large, robust Iced Kopi C Tilo for $3.20 is, as Touristmouse puts it, “a steal for such a delicious cup of coffee.” This combination of specialty quality at a hawker price point is the stall’s winning formula.
Venturing Beyond Kopi: A Mixed Bag
While the kopi receives near-universal acclaim, the verdict on their other offerings is more divided. Skye Cai expressed disappointment with the Dirty Matcha Latte, criticizing the use of matcha syrup and a flavour profile where the coffee and matcha “doesn’t go well.” The review described the latte as “bitter and tasteless,” feeling it was overpriced for its size.
However, another customer had a completely different experience. In an updated review, Touristmouse tried the matcha latte and found it had a “very rich taste and went well with the Meiji milk.”
Objective Opinion: This discrepancy suggests that while Generation Coffee has perfected its core product, its more experimental or Western-style drinks may be less consistent or perhaps an acquired taste. The use of syrup for matcha, as pointed out by Skye Cai, is often a point of contention for matcha purists who prefer stone-ground powder. It seems the safest and most rewarding choice here is to stick to what they do best: their exceptional modern kopi.
Food, Drinks, and What to Order
Generation Coffee Roasters is purely a drinks stall, so you’ll need to grab your food from the many other excellent hawkers in Hong Lim Market.
What to Order:
- Iced Kopi C Kosong ($2.60): The ultimate test of a good kopi. This is coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar. The quality of the beans and the milk shines through, and reviews confirm it “hits” the spot.
- Iced Kopi C Tilo ($3.20 for extra-large): For those who like their coffee strong. This is an extra thick and robust version that is a favourite among regulars.
- Classic Kopi: You can’t go wrong with the standard hot Kopi (with condensed milk) or Kopi O (black with sugar).
- Matcha Latte ($4.30): Order with caution. While some enjoy its richness, others may be put off by the use of syrup. It’s an option for those looking to try something different.
The stall also offers Western classics like Latte and provides oat milk as a dairy-free alternative, catering to a wider range of preferences.
Final Verdict
Generation Coffee Roasters is more than just a coffee stall; it’s a brilliant example of modernizing a beloved tradition without losing its soul. By applying precision and high-quality equipment to the familiar, robust flavours of Nanyang coffee, they have created a product that is both nostalgic and exceptional. The long queues are a testament to their success.
While you might want to stick to their signature kopi for a guaranteed fantastic experience, this stall is a must-visit for any coffee lover in Singapore. It offers a unique taste of the city’s evolving culinary landscape—one that is high-quality, innovative, and accessibly priced.
Generation Coffee Roasters (Hong Lim)
531A Upper Cross St, #01-59, Singapore 051531
