This Japanese café-cum-artisanal retail space has everything from creamy coffees, delicious pastas and delectable desserts, to imported hand-sewn bags and scented candles.
Officially launched on May 28 this year by founder Nadiah Khan, the café creates a space where people can browse through specially-curated homeware while they enjoy a hearty meal.
Nadiah got the idea for the space during the pandemic when she saw that many who enjoyed shopping overseas were not able to travel any longer as borders were closed.
So, she decided to bring in products from companies overseas so that fellow Malaysians could still enjoy international shopping right from home.
The Momaku retail space features imported artisanal items like hand-stitched bags, candles, ceramic dishes and even kombucha from Japan, Germany and Switzerland, among others.
Though they currently only sell international brands, the team is looking to include products from Malaysian artisans in the near future to support the local business scene.
Baristart Coffee, meanwhile, started off as a small quaint coffee shop in Sapporo, Japan. What eventually made this café unique and set their coffee apart from others was their use of Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk. The rich and creamy milk with a tinge of sweetness turned out to be a big hit with locals as well as foreigners.
The popular Hokkaido-based café then opened its first Southeast Asian outlet in Singapore in 2019. Nadiah came across the café on a visit there and was intrigued by the thick and creamy coffee.
But as delicious as the coffee was, it was actually their signature cream puff that made her fall in love with the brand. “I took one bite of the cream puff and knew I had to bring Baristart to Malaysia,” she said.
Though famous for their distinctive freshly-made coffees from a mix of beans from Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia, Baristart also has a good selection of sweet and savoury dishes on their menu.
Among the crowd favourites here is the White Corn Salad, made up of Hokkaido white corn, grana-padano cheese and greens served with a tangy citrus aioli.
Brunch lovers can opt for savoury options such as the Egg White Green Souffle Omelette with Cheese on homemade sourdough bread. Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the Mixed Berries French Toast which uses brioche bread to elevate the simple treat.
Best-selling mains include the Hokkaido Carbonara with duck prosciutto, which is a rich and creamy dish made with their signature Hokkaido milk, and their spicy Crabmeat Aglio Olio.
Another must-try is their melt-in-the-mouth Japanese-style Devasa Argentinian Sirloin Steak, generously smothered in garlic butter sauce.
Baristart’s Japanese roots show up in their delicious sando platters of homemade bread filled with tamago and Japanese mayo. Chicken Katsu Sando, a popular choice, features a breaded and deep-fried organic chicken breast with katsu sauce.
Dessert fans will enjoy their strawberry parfait in luscious layers or the more delicate custard pudding. But of course, no trip to Baristart Coffee is complete without trying their signature cream puff oozing with Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk custard cream.
Visit Momaku x Baristart Coffee in Bangsar Shopping Centre for a soul-satisfying food and retail experience.
Momaku x Baristart Coffee
Lot G133A, Ground Floor
Bangsar Shopping Centre
Bangsar
59000 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours:
8am–10pm (Monday to Thursday)
9am–10pm (Friday to Sunday)