World’s first 24-hour Hello Kitty themed café opened its doors at Changi Airport Terminal 3 in May 2016, Hello Kitty Orchid Garden is not only Singapore’s first themed café starring the iconic feline, but also the world’s first 24-hour Hello Kitty café offering locals and tourists round-the-clock respite with a bevy of delectable food and beverages served in a whimsical floral paradise setting. Here is the first look of Hello Kitty Cafe Singapore.
As every Hello Kitty café features a different theme, Hello Kitty Orchid Garden is specially designed to emulate the country’s ‘garden city’ vibe, fusing inspiration from the national flower – the orchid – with the beloved character’s signature kawaii flair for a uniquely Singaporean aesthetic.
WELCOME TO THE HELLO KITTY CAFE SINGAPORE
Resplendent with live flora, Hello Kitty Orchid Garden in Changi Airport is modelled after Singapore’s modern landscape juxtaposed with lush green scenery – it is a relaxing oasis where, no matter the time of day – or night, weary travellers can fuel up and feel rejuvenated. And for foodies, the pretty plates, comfortable ambience and measured flavours will surely make the trek to the eastern end of the island a rewarding one.
Sporting splashes of purple, green and white with wood accents, the spacious interior dotted with wrought iron swing seats exudes an organic, idyllic vibe; servers simply clad in plaid shirts and aprons add to the fun and easy mood. Fans can look forward to posing with 3D life-sized figurines of Hello Kitty in specially designated photo spots, and will surely be tempted to take home a memento from the retail corner, where Singapore-exclusive merchandise will be launched seasonally. They can anticipate a range of custom Hello Kitty-inspired tea blends, plush toys fashioned to resemble the Hello Kitty Singapore mascot, grow-ityourself plant kits, and postcards.
“Hello Kitty Orchid Garden retains a degree of Hello Kitty’s girly appeal, but it also conveys a more sophisticated, elegant feel. Besides making the café look outstanding, the quality of our food is of paramount importance as well. Novelty will attract customers the first time round, but a consistent and elevated dining experience is the key to longevity,” says Andrew Khoo, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development & Operations of the Food & Beverage Division at ABR Holdings Ltd.
DESTINATION DINING
Local and Asian influences are woven into the menu, which features all-day breakfast delights, hearty mains and sharing dishes, and an irresistible array of Kitty-fied desserts; including soft serve, gelato sundaes, pastries and tea cakes. The dishes are served on beautiful wooden boards, ceramic and glass ware – specially selected to complement the garden theme, each customised with the café logo. A limited menu is offered between 12 midnight to 6am daily.
BREAKFAST FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
Late risers need not worry if the clock spells 10am or 10pm – at Hello Kitty Orchid Garden, any time is the right time to indulge in one of Kitty White’s most beloved all-day brunch items. Hunger pangs will soon be quelled with the scrumptious Big Breakfast Surprise ($18.50) comprising creamy scrambled eggs, smoked duck slices, sautéed shiitake mushrooms and crispy Kitty waffles embedded with melted cheddar, while Hello Sunshine ($16.90; not on limited menu) is sure to brighten up anyone’s day with its crusty bread bowl near overflowing with mushrooms, chicken sausages, cheese and an oozy baked egg.
Diners can first get their appetites raring with enticing finger food, such as the Hola Nachos! ($15.90); flaky fried tortilla chips jazzed up with shaved parmesan, jalapenos, olives, onions, tomato salsa, and lashings of a luscious cheddar cheese sauce. They can then explore the Enchanted Forest ($17.90; not on limited menu), where succulent prawns, avocado, gooey cheddar, caramelised onions and wasabi sesame mayonnaise snuggle between the folds of a toasted tortilla shell, or discover an impeccably baked fillet of salmon encrusted with diced macadamia when Kitty Goes Fishing ($23.90; not on limited menu). 
Let’s Do The Salsa ($16.50; not on limited menu) will have customers getting footloose with a hefty stack of shredded chicken, cheese and veggies dressed with zingy taco-flavoured mayonnaise and sandwiched between Kitty-shaped focaccia toast, while a medley of Mesclun leaves, grilled Portobello and pineapple, jackfruit slivers, feta and pine nuts tied together with a tongue-tingling laksa mustard vinaigrette will positively send them Over The Rainbow ($15.90; not on limited menu).
Also don’t miss an exhilarating Camping under the Stars ($19.50; not on limited menu) escapade with Hello Kitty in a picturesque field of green tea powder, set up with a ‘bonfire’ of toasted muesli and a ‘tent’ engineered out of graham crackers and plump scoops of hazelnut and chocolate gelato. More sweet options include a daily selection of sliced cakes and tarts, soft serve frozen yoghurt, and eight flavours of gelato; including pistachio and strawberry, available in single or double scoop servings.
The Cowabunga! Wagyu! ($24) offers diners a more substantial one-dish meal, as Hello Kitty’s own rendition of the Singaporean favourite, beef rendang. Here, generous cuts of wagyu are slow-cooked until fork-tender and imbued with the rich flavour of a special pineapple rempah (Nyonya spice mix), then served alongside pearly Japanese rice packed in the likeness of Hello Kitty, and Mesclun salad drizzled with ponzu sauce.
DESSERT TRAIL
Guests will surely find it hard to leave without sampling Hello Kitty Orchid Garden’s beguiling plated desserts – a nod to local heritage and well-loved traditional sweet treats. The Cat In Paradise ($18.50; not on limited menu) is a spin on the Chinese style mango pudding – entailing fluffy mango mousse paired with candied orange, almond crumble, marshmallow sauce and hazelnut gelato, while Hide & Seek ($16.90; not on limited menu) has a delightfully wobbly pandan panna cotta enhanced with gula melaka (palm sugar), strawberry marshmallow sauce and vanilla gelato. Masquerading as a potted bloom, Rose, Rose I Love You ($17.50) is a moist, buttery orange sugee cake topped with crunchy chocolate “soil” and sculpted petals of velvety strawberry buttercream, with decadent peanut buttercup gelato on the side. 
DRINK UP!
Get hydrated and energised with any of the five Kitty Coolers ($7.90 each), which include Kitty Blush; a rosy concoction of watermelon juice, basil and soda water, and Cumbernade; a fizzy mocktail of cucumber syrup, lemonade and soda water. For something soothing to while away leisurely hours, sip on one of Hello Kitty Orchid Garden’s own custom-blended loose leaf teas ($7.80 each) which come in an intriguing array of flavours, such as Kitty’s Apple Pie Tea with hints of cinnamon, and Strawberry Marshmallow Tea; a sweet and fruity herbal infusion. Coffee-lovers can pick from a pocket-friendly assortment of hot and iced brews, made from specially sourced gourmet Ethiopian Grade 1 beans; prices range from $2 for the T3 Blend Coffee, to $7 for an Ice Salted Caramel Latte. 
Hello Kitty Cafe Facebook page | Website
Address: Singapore Changi Airport, Terminal 3, Arrival Meeting Hall Central, #01-22
