I visited Hvala’s Craig Road outlet on a sunny weekday afternoon and took an immediate liking to its tranquil, Zen-like ambience. Like Smoocht, this cafe offers a wide range of vegan-friendly beverages and desserts, complete with some gluten-free options.
Apart from being named after the Croatian word for ‘thank you’, Hvala’s theme and most of its menu are assuredly Japanese. Tea is the specialty here, namely matcha, with there being three different intensity levels for the matcha gelato alone.
Waffles were the main aim of my visit, of course, and I ordered a Waffle with Matcha °2 Gelato to start with.
Made from a heavy oatmilk base, this medium-intensity matcha gelato was marvellously rich and bittersweet and should satisfy any matcha lover – though a true matcha-holic would probably want to go for the stronger °3 version, which is made with ceremonial-grade powder.
The waffle, alas, was just not very good. It was barely crisp and had a squishy texture, not unlike a BreadTalk or Four Leaves bun. I actually enjoyed the genmaicha rice that was sprinkled on top much more, and lamented that there was so little of it.
Thankfully, my next order—the Mochi Waffle with Cookies & Cream Gelato—fared a great deal better.
Baked from the same batter Hvala uses to make its warabi-mochi (a starchier, jelly-like version of traditional mochi), this waffle is a lot more filling. But I always have room for good food, and found it to be much tastier than the regular waffle.
(This, along with my trips to Grids and Forage, have reversed the negative opinion I had of mochi waffles after first trying them at Gelatolabo.)
Last but not least, Hvala’s cookies & cream gelato is a solid rendition of an old favourite, made even better by the large, crunchy cookie chunks in it having a pleasantly light matcha taste.
Although—unless you’re gunning for a sugar rush like I was—this flavour probably isn’t the right one to pair with the mochi waffle, which is sweet enough on its own.
All in all, if you’re looking to indulge in quality Japanese teas and dairy-free desserts in a relaxing environment, Hvala is well worth the visit. I would, however, give their regular waffle a wide berth.
Ratings
REGULAR WAFFLE: 2/5
MOCHI WAFFLE: 4/5
MATCHA °2 GELATO: 4/5
COOKIES & CREAM GELATO: 4/5
*Bonus Review*
My colleague was at Hvala’s CHIJMES outlet earlier this month and has offered her thoughts on what she tried there:
Chaffogato – Unique spin on affogato that combines light-intensity matcha gelato with a shot of hot matcha or hojicha. Quite an awesome clash of bitter and sweet flavours. 4.5/5
Kinako Warabi Mochi – Sort of like Japanese Turkish delight. The black sugar and roasted soybean powder combined with the soft, chewy texture of the mochi was great. 4/5
Hojicha Petit Gateau – The only thing I had here that I didn’t really enjoy. A mousse sponge cake with hojicha crumble in it. Was too bitter and too sweet, and got even sweeter and more bitter with each bite, to the point where it became overwhelming. 2.5/5
Address (Craig Road outlet):
40 Craig Rd, Singapore 089678
Address (CHIJMES outlet):
30 Victoria St, #01-04/05, Singapore 187996
Website: www.hvala.com.sg
