Sharpfle Waffle’s new menu excites the palate

A few weeks ago James Choi, owner and master barista of Sharpfle Waffle, reached out to some media and influencers to sample new menu items. Of the savoury variety.

With his erstwhile business partner/chef Jay Lee back in Korea, James’ brother David is masterfully at the kitchen helm. 

At this point we rely on Sharpfle Waffle for fine coffee and tea creations, but they are clearly interested in becoming known for delicious meal options.

Most folks are familiar with the great kitchen staple miso. While it makes for a deeply satisfying soup, Chef David gives it an extra depth by adding clam broth. More remarkable is that while it was very satisfying, at no point did it feel like a seafood broth – it was just pure umami.

We routinely think of salads as the requisite healthy part of a meal. It’s almost an obligation we feel we need to choke down. Luckily, at many restaurants, this is an antiquated notion with salads demonstrating invention in both textures and flavours.

David Choi’s vegan salad will make you forget about labels. It was an exciting contrast of textures featuring spiced cubes of sweet potato, pickled tofu skin, baby kale and quinoa swaddled in a deeply flavoured sesame dressing.

This was a flavour bomb that didn’t respect boundaries. Anyone of any culinary persuasion would enjoy this dish and learn a few things along the way.

Speaking with neighbouring Apt 613 food writer Kiersten, we both agreed that the slow-cooked braised pork ribs were a master stroke.

The meat had been saturated with a sweet soy-based sauce that was neither too salty nor too sweet. It was also impossibly fall-off-the-bone tender. No chewing required.

With a coffee and tea-centric mandate, people in the know expect Sharpfle Waffle to deliver superior edible treats. Their new Halal marshmallow offerings will make you collapse in submission.

One is dusted with cocoa powder and filled with crunchy pistachio, and the other is filled with Lotus Biscoff biscuit crumble. It’s early days, but is this a dessert to end up on the year's best list?

Sharpfle Waffle was launching these items as new on the menu, but also as part of their expanded offerings. 

If you’re of an adventuresome disposition and a health-conscious philosophy, it’s worth experiencing uncommon and traditional Korean food without compromise