Lirra Visits: Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop

In this final article in our book review series, we bring readers to the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop, a concept store by Epigram Books and huggs coffee and the only bookstore in Singapore to sell all-Singapore books.

The plethora of books on Singapore stacked on the bookshelves offer readers a valuable opportunity to discover the wide array of Singapore literature that would have gone unnoticed in most bookstores.
The plethora of books on Singapore stacked on the bookshelves offer readers a valuable opportunity to discover the wide array of Singapore literature that would have gone unnoticed in most bookstores.

Centre, the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop is probably Singapore’s best known book café. The café promotes itself as the only bookstore in Singapore to sell all-Singapore books, and I was left impressed by the service and variety of books available as I arrived at the café on a sunny afternoon. From the moment I stepped into the café, I was greeted by warm and friendly staff members who made sure that I completed the necessary SafeEntry procedures, assuring me of the establishment’s commitment to health protocols in wake of COVID-19. Looking at the tantalising food options on the menu, I decided to order the Thai Chicken Wrap ($5) and the Ondeh Gula Melaka cake ($6.80), topped up with a cup of Spiced Masala Tea ($2.20). I had expected the café to be fully packed as it was the office lunch hour, but there was surprised as there were a few tables available for me to choose. After just a few minutes waiting at my table, I was politely served the food ordered and eagerly tucked into my meal.

The aroma and comforting taste of the Spiced Masala Tea brought back many memories of my favourite drink during my overseas exchange-London Fog
The aroma and comforting taste of the Spiced Masala Tea brought back many memories of my favourite drink during my overseas exchange-London Fog

What struck me the most as I enjoyed my meal was the aroma and taste of the Spice Masala Tea which I ordered. The tea was neither too diluted or concentrated and I could taste the richness of the masala spices which somewhat reminded me of my favourite drink at one point in time-London Fog (although the ingredients differ).

The Thai Chicken Wrap seemed freshly prepared and made for a good starter before tucking into the cake.
The Thai Chicken Wrap seemed freshly prepared and made for a good starter before tucking into the cake.
The delectable Ondeh Gula Melaka Cake- A must try at the café!
The delectable Ondeh Gula Melaka Cake- A must try at the café!

For starters, I tasted the Thai Chicken Wrap and was left impressed by the fresh and zesty taste of the chicken mixed with coriander and chili. I had expected the wrap taste like the product of a pre-prepared, frozen dish which was reheated, but its taste left me wondering if the ingredients were freshly prepared on the same day.  Even more impressive was the Ondeh Gula Melaka Cake. The rich pandan and coconut taste of the cake was one of the best I had tasted so far, and I was left craving for more cake as I finished the last bits of the cake.

Books from familiar Singapore authors that were featured in the poetry and literature section.
Books from familiar Singapore authors that were featured in the poetry and literature section.

After finishing my lunch, I walked around the café browsing the books on display. Although the book café seemed small, there was a huge array of books on Singapore, or which were written by Singapore authors. Featuring most prominently were literature and poetry books by renowned authors such as Edwin Thumboo and Alfian Sa’at which caught my eye as soon as I started walking around. However, there were also many books by other Singapore authors such as Wong Souk Yee and Samuel Lee whom I had not heard of previously. As someone used to reading non-fiction books by foreign authors, browsing their books made me highly aware of the need to expand my forays in reading local literature and I vowed to finish reading a local fiction book during the upcoming holidays.

After finishing my lunch, I walked around the café browsing the books on display. Although the book café seemed small, there was a huge array of books on Singapore, or which were written by Singapore authors. Featuring most prominently were literature and poetry books by renowned authors such as Edwin Thumboo and Alfian Sa’at which caught my eye as soon as I started walking around. However, there were also many books by other Singapore authors such as Wong Souk Yee and Samuel Lee whom I had not heard of previously. As someone used to reading non-fiction books by foreign authors, browsing their books made me highly aware of the need to expand my forays in reading local literature and I vowed to finish reading a local fiction book during the upcoming holidays.
After finishing my lunch, I walked around the café browsing the books on display. Although the book café seemed small, there was a huge array of books on Singapore, or which were written by Singapore authors. Featuring most prominently were literature and poetry books by renowned authors such as Edwin Thumboo and Alfian Sa’at which caught my eye as soon as I started walking around. However, there were also many books by other Singapore authors such as Wong Souk Yee and Samuel Lee whom I had not heard of previously. As someone used to reading non-fiction books by foreign authors, browsing their books made me highly aware of the need to expand my forays in reading local literature and I vowed to finish reading a local fiction book during the upcoming holidays.

Other than fiction books and poetry, the book café aptly featured a small section of books on local architecture being located at the foot of the URA Centre. While the variety of books available was less than that of major bookstores, many books on the history of local architecture and cityscapes caught my eye, and I stood there browsing these books for several minutes resisting the urge to buy these books. Thankfully, there was an equally wide variety of books on local current affairs and politics on display and I settled on purchasing Governing: A Singapore Perspective ($35) to further my understanding on views by key figures of the state. (This book was also recommended to us in an interview we did with Prof Bilveer Singh. Check it out here!)

The interesting reference books which I felt tempted to purchase as a History aficionado.
The interesting reference books which I felt tempted to purchase as a History aficionado.

In all, I would certainly recommend the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop for its exceptional service, delectable food and wide variety of local books available for browsing and purchasing. The café was also not too crowded or noisy despite the sizable lunch crowd on a weekday afternoon. The friendly service of the staff members far exceeded my expectations and even trumped some of the more upscale dining establishments that I have been to in Singapore. Although I did not seek their assistance in finding good local reads to purchase, I was awestruck by the knowledge one of the staff members had in recommending such books to an elderly customer who was visiting the café for the first time. Needless to say, I will be returning to the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop in future for further explorations of local literature-and to try out the other dishes I did not manage to taste on this trip.

Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop

45 Maxwell Road, #01-01, Singapore 069118

Opening hours: 7am (coffee and food only);

                             10 am (books section) to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday

                             10 am to 4pm Saturday

                             Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Ratings

Ambience 4/5

Taste: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4.33/5

Note: The writer paid for his meal at the café.

By Bryan Chang, ReadNUS Team Member