Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Average)
Address: 52, Jalan Tampoi, Johor, Bandar Baru Uda, SC2.1, Level 2, Angsana Johor Bahru Mall, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Located within Angsana Mall)Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UqQhtLsNRe9gVLAdA
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
SR Ipoh Black Coffee (Hot) = RM4.50
Chocolate Indulgence (Signature, 1 Slice) = RM13.50
Service Charge 10% = RM1.66
Service Tax 6% = RM1.00
Click here for the Full Menu and Receipt (Opens in a New Tab, Price is accurate as of Posting Date)
Secret Recipe is a Bakery / Cafe F&B Franchise that is available in Most Shopping Malls both in Malaysia and Singapore too. I'll be Honest, this is the 1st Time I'm trying them as I've never visited a Secret Recipe Outlet before.
Because this F&B is also available in Singapore, I didn't really want to review this. But I'm doing it for this one simply because Angsana Mall itself don't actually have much Individual F&B Eateries actually so I figured might as well. I reckon you can use this Post to compare Prices too if you do visit this Franchise.
Special Note for the Ramadan Season:
This is one of the Few Eateries that is Open with No Change to their Operating Hours. As long as you are a Non-Muslim, you are OK to Dine-In even before Official Ramadan Iftar Timing (Breaking Fast). Of course it would be nice to ask politely first before you do so. You can ask politely like this: "Hello, Excuse me, Saya Makan Sini Boleh?"
Having said that, even though I was given the go ahead to Dine-In, I still felt a Sense of ... shall we say "Heightened-Alertness" and Noticeable Nervous Tension among the Staffs especially when I took photos of the Place for this Review. One of the Supervisors even nicely asked me what I was taking Photos of. They only relaxed a little when I say "I take photos for my Kawan Kawan (Friend) to see". Yes the Staffs here are able to speak abit of English.
I'll admit it certainly feels Wierd (maybe a little bit Guilty?) to be dining in as a Non-Muslim during the Ramadan Season in Malaysia like this, especially in a Muslim-Focused Mall like Angsana Mall. ćä¸çšćŞćŞçćč§.
The Staffs were quite nice though after the Initial Tension, especially for a Young Malay Lad who nicely let me know that they are having issues with their Aircon. Although it was indeed Warm and Humid due to the Aircon Maintenance, I appreciate him trying his best to let me know in advance. Anyway it took 9 Mins for everything to be served up together.
SR Ipoh Black Coffee (Hot) = RM4.50
Served in a Cute Big Cup that has their own Brand Name emblazoned on it, this was Not Diluted in Taste, but also Not a Strong Coffee at all. Hardly the Type of Strength to be able to Wake you up.
No Siap Siap Taste, I thought this tasted like a Weaker type of Americano.
Pretty Unremarkable, I'm sure there's nothing "Ipoh" about this.
No Siap Siap Taste, I thought this tasted like a Weaker type of Americano.
Pretty Unremarkable, I'm sure there's nothing "Ipoh" about this.
Chocolate Indulgence (Signature, 1 Slice) = RM13.50
I did do some Research on this F&B Franchise and apparently the 2 Most Famous Signature Cakes they have are their Chocolate Indulgence and Marble Cheesecake. The Latter was unfortunately Not Available so I settled for the Former.
In Google Reviews for this Place, alot of People complained that this is Sliced Very Thin and was Very Stingy.
The One I got didn't feel Stingy, maybe a Tad Thinner? but overall still a Relatively Normal Size for a Cake.
What I was surprised was them presenting the Cake lying Flat instead of Standing Up like how its usually done in other Cafes/Bakeries. Perhaps this caused the Perception that the Cake Size is Stingy?
The One I got didn't feel Stingy, maybe a Tad Thinner? but overall still a Relatively Normal Size for a Cake.
What I was surprised was them presenting the Cake lying Flat instead of Standing Up like how its usually done in other Cafes/Bakeries. Perhaps this caused the Perception that the Cake Size is Stingy?
The Cake itself is a Multi-Layer Chocolate Cake as you can see.
The Bottom Layer is a Layer of Choco Cake
followed by a Layer of Fresh Cream
then another Layer of Choco Cake
then a Layer of Chocolate Cream
then another Layer of Choco Cake
then a Layer of Fresh Cream
then a Last Layer of Choco Cake
Everything is then lum with a Layer of Dark Chocolate Ganache to cover the Whole Thing.
If I'm going to be Very Honest, for a Signature Cake, I feel this taste Very Average. Unless you've never eaten a Chocolate Cake before in your life, this tastes Exactly like how you'd imagine it to taste. Nothing More, Nothing Less.
Everything tastes as how you would Expect from a Typical Chocolate Cake.
Very Normal Average Soft Cake Texture, Normal Not Overly Sweet Tasting Chocolate Cream.
For a Cake that's called "Chocolate Indulgence", there is Nothing "Indulgence" about it. (Unless you count the Chocolate Ganache they lum all over it.) This is also not like those Instagrammable Rediculous looking Chocolate Cream Super Gao Gao type.
What it is and tastes like is like I said, a Very Classic Typical Chocolate Cake that you can find in Most Bakeries.
A Very Acceptable Chocolate Cake but still, just a Chocolate Cake.
Actually from a Culinary Perspective, I'm surprised they used Fresh Cream instead of Cream Cheese which would have elevated this more. I've made Cakes myself before and this Fresh Cream also didn't taste like anything special.
This Cream tastes like those Typical Package Whipped Cream you'd buy from Phoon Huat that is just whipped up with maybe abit of Sugar added. I reckon they use Cream here instead of Cream Cheese due to Cost Cutting.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At the Price of RM4.50 (S$1.50) is actually Quite Affordable for a Cup of Coffee sold in a Cafe Bakery in a Mall tbh, but this wasn't that Great of a Brew either.
It wasn't DiIluted, but there is No Coffee Strength at all. It calls itself "Ipoh" but I reckon there is Nothing "Ipoh" about this. This tasted like a Weak Americano is what I got from it.
If you have been eating plenty of Chocolate Cakes, you will probably find this one to taste So So. To be Fair, there is Nothing Wrong with this Cake, but Nothing Very Amazing about it either. It tastes like any other Regular Chocolate Cake that you would buy from any other Bakery. I don't know what is so Signature about this tbh.
Having said that, based on the Pricing and Taste of these 2 Items, it gives me the Impression that this Franchise isn't going for Top Quality actually, more like a Budget Level type of Cafe Concept. To be able to let Customers enjoy Pseudo Cafe Quality Food at a More Budget Conscious Price Point. I don't know if this is their Actual Philosophy but I totally respect it if that's the case.
Alot of Google Reviewers have complained about the Service Level of this Place but I personally had no issues. I especially appreciated that Young Malay Lad who nicely pre-empted me that they were having Aircon Maintenance. It was a Simple Gesture, but I appreciated it nevertheless.
That said, I also cannot find myself to give a Higher Score either based on the Quality of the Acceptable, but also Unremarkable Quality. Don't let my Average Score deter you from this Place. If you are OK with the Prices in their Menu, and set your Expectations in Check, this is still a Acceptable F&B Bakery Cafe to visit with a More Budget Friendly Price Point. Certainly more Budget Friendly than Moody Cow Cafe that I reviewed previously in Paradigm Mall!
Dining in BEFORE Iftar during the Ramadan Season in Malaysia certainly was a Very Unique Experience though!
The Level of Very Noticeable Nervousness and Tension displayed by the Staffs was Interesting to observe.
The Level of Very Noticeable Nervousness and Tension displayed by the Staffs was Interesting to observe.
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