Cafe Bandit steals the spotlight with good coffee and shokupan

Expect a fusion menu with Japanese influence.

The cafe is known for the inescapable presence of a cartoon raccoon everywhere (All photos: Cafe Bandit)

At a glance: The truly cool kids might ignore this cafe initially due to the twee and inescapable presence of a cartoon raccoon everywhere but the F&B offerings are truly not to be missed. The setting can be calm or bustling (it depends what hour of the day you visit) but the good food and drink more than make up for any shortcomings. It’s lovely when it is quiet(er) though as the design-conscious Marshall speaker consistently belts out an ear-pleasing selection of retro hits.

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Don't miss their hearty mains too, like this pulled beef benedict

What to try: There is a distinct Japanese influence cutting through the fusion menu but this definitely works in its favour. There is an all-day breakfast menu (the otak-otak scrambled eggs are delicious) as well as a heartier selection of mains, like beef bacon carbonara pasta, vegetarian spaghetti aglio olio and even chicken confit. If you, like Sinatra, prefer doing things your way, Bandit’s “Five My Way” option allows you to pick up to five items (choose from an assortment that includes grilled banana, three styles of eggs, sautéed mushrooms and chicken bratwurst) to create your own breakfast platter.

Wash it all down with: Your choice of caffeinated or non-caffeinated quenchers. The resident barista serves up good brews although non-coffee drinkers will rejoice in the lovely iced chocolate, black sesame, matcha and matcha azuki beverages too. When the afternoon is particularly sultry, be sure to order the pineapple passion cold brew or citrus watermelon oolong teas.

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Stop by for shokupan and a warm cuppa

What else: If you are not dining in, take away the simple but divine sugar-dusted doughnuts or cinnamon raisin rolls and, of course, the shokupan — traditional soft and fluffy Japanese milk bread that is undoubtedly the best vehicle for a thick slice of Bordier butter.


Find Cafe Bandit at 6, Jalan SS 2/10, 47300, PJ. See more here

This article first appeared on Aug 22, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.

 

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