Wilder Café

Wilder Café is a quaint and unassuming shophouse located on North Bridge Road. Made conspicuous by a large chalkboard filled with animated writing and quirky doodles of its bestselling food along the walkway, the café had then caught my eye as I wandered along the picturesque streets in Kampong Glam.

Wilder Café is established by Azurah Khalid, a national athlete, who has a passion for food and believes in sharing delicacies with the others. Wilder Café prides itself on its food quality, and operates by the principle of no food wastage. All orders are prepared fresh on the spot, made from scratch by the dedicated team; and in line with their food conservation concept, the dishes are limited in quantity for the day – so do come early to prevent disappointment. Wilder Café is Halal-certified as well, a true gem for both the Muslim community and the local café scene alike.

Wilder Café may look to be a modest shophouse from the outside, it provides a surprisingly capacious interior with ample of seats for its patrons. Meanwhile, the décor is redolent of a marriage between industrial urbanity and the rustic countryside. From washed concrete walls to wooden furniture, the juxtaposition has proven to be a unique scheme. Each table is also adorned with a vase of dried flowers of faded yet colourful hues, emphasising on its titular name while providing a minimalist backdrop for photograph taking. With soft music playing in the background, along with its whimsical vibe of nature’s beauty, Wilder Café is a welcoming and homely place to stay.

For my meal, I had selected the Salted Egg Taters and the Gula Melaka Tart, as advertised on the chalkboard. Following the bandwagon of the recent salted egg trend, Wilder Café has proven itself to be a pioneer with its delicious Salted Egg Taters. The tantalizing aroma of the dish was a teaser to its appetizing visual – a generous portion of fries drizzled with salted egg crumbs served in a large bowl. Soaked thoroughly in the essence of salted egg yolk, the crispy fries were an addictive snack, leaving a trail of greasy yet savoury taste. The salted egg batter was a piquant delight, flavoursome while not being too overwhelming, leaving one craving for more. Wilder Café provides complimentary water for one to cleanse their palate, so rest assured that the taste would not saturate the next dish.

The Gula Melaka tart was a modest pastry in contrast, with the serving size fit for one. The thick chocolate filling was girded by the crust, and it had a strong chocolatey flavour with a relish of sweetness. The taste was further richened by a caramel aftertaste. The gula melaka flavour was more prominent on the crust, and its piquant tang had complemented the overall palate of the tart. The Gula Melaka tart was a creative play of dessert, the flavour of the palm sugar was brought out in moderation, and in pleasing complementation to the standard chocolate and caramel.

Wilder Café provides a homely location for its patrons to enjoy a hearty meal and a conversation in. From its unique curation of menu, its flavoursome dishes, and the wonderful aesthetics of the café, Wilder Café is a prime choice to visit. For patrons who are health conscious, adventurers seeking unique food, or one simply looking for a quick fix, Wilder Café has it all.