Experiment Food with the Lab

The Lab is an experimental theme café located on Jalan Pisang, its concept inspired by the television series – Breaking Bad. In the vicinity of the Sultan Mosque, The Lab provides Halal-certified food for both the Muslim community and the general public. The Lab is one of the subsidiary brands under We Experiment, founded by Luke and Ejan in 2014, with Sinseh: The Grocery under its portfolio as well. The founders believe in innovation and creation, and to stray from the norm, hence the titular ‘We Experiment’.

The Lab provides alfresco dining area, with its in-house seating being cosy due to the space constraint. However, the first step into The Lab proves to be a magical experience, transporting patrons into the world of steampunk. The café features an eponymous interior, resembling a science laboratory, along with its peculiar menu that is specially curated by the owners. From assorted test tubes, prescription bottles, and jars displays, thick copper wires crawling along the walls coupled with minimal lighting, the café has executed the radical concept of ‘The Lab’ perfectly.

The waiters, or more aptly coined as scientists, were amiable as they greeted patrons with a welcoming smile. With a menu in hand, they had wasted no time in ushering us in and ensuring that we were comfortably seated. ‘De La Huerta’, which means Peace of the Orchard, and ‘Gehaktbal’, translating to meatballs in English, are one of the many unusual names to be found in the menu. The food and beverages serve by the café stay true to its experimental concept. Nonetheless, there are clear explanations provided under every dish to guide patrons to the meal of their choice.

As the weather was rather warm and stifling, I had selected Thai Milk Tea Ice-Cream Waffle to neutralize the heat. Being an avid fan of Thai food, it had actually been my first time finding Thai tea ice-cream on menu. The food was served immediately and it was a revelling sight. A generous scoop of brown ice-cream lay atop the fluffy waffle and popcorns drizzled with caramel were garnished plentifully around the plate.

The taste was a pleasant surprise; the Thai milk tea ice-cream was rich in flavour, and was as every bit as authentic with the strong sweet taste of Thai milk tea. The ice-cream was smooth and cooling down the throat, the faint tea aftertaste a piquant treat for the senses. Meanwhile, the thick waffle was surprisingly crispy in contrast, its mild buttery flavour had complemented the sweetness of the ice-cream. The caramelized popcorns served as an after-dessert snack, a sinful topping on the saccharine delight.

I had then selected cappuccino to accompany my dessert. It was served with a syringe of milk, a fascinating visage as with the lab equipment décor and utensils used in the café. Although it was a unique experience, reminisce of doing lab work, it had proven to be a meticulous task as a hard press would render the liquid spilling all over.

Delving deeper into the waffle dessert, it was beginning to feel treacly due to the saturation of sugar. The bitterness of my coffee, with a lovely tinge of chocolatey goodness, had become my solution to the saccharinity. The cappuccino was creamy and it was a great combination to the dessert.

The Lab is indeed a quirky café with a charming dark décor. The café provides a wide variety of food that is specially created using ingredients from over the world; from mains to desserts, patrons are able to get their fill of food here. Their unique concept is indeed an attractive aspect, exalting The Lab to a level of extraordinary within the local café scene.