Once you get in this hidden spot, you’ll understand why people find this to be a refuge, Ronin located on Hong Kong Street, in the middle of Singapore’s financial district is a surprisingly difficult coffee shop to find. Mainly because there’s no real sign to point you to where it is, there’s only really just a subtle logo that’s in a shaded area, recessed from the sidewalk. But once you’re in, you feel rewarded immediately. There’s a very charming vibe to it, with its dimly lit atmosphere, having this kind of used and upcycled aesthetic where it feels like certain parts of their shop uses rebuilt and repurposed furniture. Recycled furniture like wooden tables, and repurposed lockers serve as accent pieces on an otherwise sparse floor. Clearly, people go here to escape from the chaos of the bustling city. Overall, their vibe is in sync with the kind of aesthetic they have and they have excellent service, the staff are very accommodating and everyone’s laid back which is why people are drawn to this place.
This best selling drink from Ronin, Singapore called The Wicked is an iced mint mocha with real fresh mint, chocolate, and — of course — espresso. They give you an option to substitute your milk with Bonsoy soy milk, so we gave that a go. It’s a very comforting drink, with flavors that are pleasant to the tastebuds and well balanced. The flavors of the fresh ingredients are definitely present. You can taste the mint and the bonsoy without each being overpowering. But the coffee wasn’t prominent enough from our point of view. Coming from a standard expectation set by the Specialty Coffee Association and the World Barista Championship, we’d prefer signature beverages like this to be more coffee forward. This means having the coffee be the star of the show. With that said, this drink is definitely more interesting than a frappuccino, and so it’s clear why it’s a crowd favorite. It tastes somewhat more like a candied dessert drink, something that will surely appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth.
