The Lightwood by Mues

Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Average)

Address: 18k Basement, Jalan Abdul Samad, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2Tezk8LmEAQnQAJ8
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)

Coffee Black (Hot) = RM10.00
Dutch Baby Pancake = RM25.00

Service Charge 10% = RM3.50

 Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.
Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.




This is a Cafe that is mentioned by Amelia so I thought I'd check it out. Uniquely Located Down some Staircase, it is Renovated in a Typical Simple Spartan, Slightly Rustic Modern type of Cafe Look. The Place was Air-Conditioned although it didn't feel Cold. Abit Warm and Stuffy although that could be attributed to a Really Hot Day when I visited.

Not a Huge Place, but Spacious nevertheless, it was kindda Quiet even on a Saturday Afternoon 3.45pm when I visited. Just a Couple of Customers around. What I do love is the Beautiful Meows that they have in this Place although they aren't allowed into the Cafe itself probably due to Hygiene Concerns.

The only 2 Staffs here are an Older Chinese Lady who looks like the Owner and a Young Malay Lady Staff. Both of them are Polite and Friendly. I appreciated that as soon as I stepped in, I was greeted with a Friendly Welcome. I also appreciate the Free Self-Service Plain Water Station they provided near the Entrance.

The Music Background they played here were some Soft English Pop Songs although they do sometimes play some Groovy Industrial Instrumental type of Songs here too. Anyway it took 4 Mins for the Coffee and an interestingly a Whole 34 Mins for the Dutch Baby Pancake! I'll explain on this later in the Review.

Coffee Black (Hot) = RM10.00

Its not specifically stated what sort of Coffee this actually is but I guess its a Classic Americano? Served in a Decent Sized Coffee Cup, I liked the Robust Aroma of Coffee Beans in this.

The Actual Coffee itself doesn't taste Gao Gao Rich or Robust type but it can certainly still wake you up. No Siap Siap Taste, No Bitterness, this as a Decent if Very Classic Standard Cup of Americano.

Dutch Baby Pancake = RM25.00

This Particular Dish intrigued me out of all the Items they have in the Menu because it specifically stated a Minimum 30 Minutes of Wait Time. (Actual Timing was 34 Mins as I timed.) Despite my Philosophy of "No Food is worth a 30 Mins Wait", I'm ok for this one because the Menu already pre-empted this. 


This Dish was also Highly Regarded in Google Reviews of this Place and since I also wasn't in a Hurry, I figured why not. And the Adorable Name is actually Real and not something made up by them. Dutch Baby Pancake is an Actual Legit Dish. When it was finally served up, I was immediately impressed by how Beautiful it looked. The Whole Thing looked like a English Yorkshire Pudding Fruit Basket is how I'd describe it.

And it was Quite a Bounty of Fruits too, with Orange, Strawberry, Grape, Banana, Blueberry and Dragon Fruit. All of them are then drizzled with Honey. The Main "Yorkshire Pudding" Dough itself tastes like a Classic Pancake Batter type of Taste. I've never tasted Actual English Yorkshire Pudding myself so I don't know if it tastes the same tbh. The Dough is also a Little Dry though so it is preferably to eat this with some Beverage to wash everything down.

Culinarily I am more interested in how this was made especially how they did the Outer Edges of this Thing. Its definitely freshly baked because I cannot for the life of me imagine why it would take 34 Mins to serve this up. And yes of course they confirmed this is Freshly Baked. There is no way to get this Baked Look and Taste Quality by just reheating a Supplier Provided Pastry.

The Ice Cream in the Middle is a Standard Vanilla Ice Cream with a Unique Slightly Off-White Look. Doesn't taste like a Cheap Brand from some Supermarket, but also doesn't taste Homemade too. Probably a more Atas Brand I reckon. Eating Everything together is like eating a Pancake with Fruits and Ice-Cream and tastes about how you would expect it to taste. It is what it is.

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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

At the Price of RM10.00 (S$3.30) isn't particularly cheap for this Cup of Black (possibly Americano) Coffee. It isn't Super Robust or Gao Gao but still a Decent Quality with No Siap Siap that will still wake you up.

At the Price of RM25.00 (S$8.00) for this Dutch Baby Pancake likewise isn't Super Cheap, but I appreciated this simply because this is Baked Fresh In-House and not sourced from some Supplier somewhere.

The Dish itself is Visually Beautiful and Very Instagrammable although it ultimately tastes just like a Fruit Pancake with Ice-Cream. Not something Mind-Blowing that you die die must come eat. I like this Dish for the Effort that has gone into it, not necessarily the Taste. Any Cafe that makes the Effort to bake their own Pastries and not just rely on Supplier deserves my Respect for the Effort.

As I Chit-Chat with the Chinese Lady Owner, I can confirm she is the Main Baker behind it. As we conversed, I can feel the sort of "Baker Passion and Pride" that she has. This Lady really has a Passion for Baking and you can really feel it. People who enjoy Baking will understand what I am trying to describe here.

That said, understandably they don't bake ALL the Pastries they serve here, but at the Very Least they do bake this Dutch Baby Pancake in-house. I'm just glad to have the privilege to and chance to taste this for the First Time. No idea how much this would cost in a Singapore Cafe, but I'm sure it won't cost only S$8.00 hahaha.

End of the Day, I wouldn't call this a Die Die Must Come Cafe when you're here in JB. Don't let my Average Score deter you from this place. If you are near the Taman Nong Chik Area though looking for a Cafe to chill and relax with, and is ok with the Prices on their Menu, and set your expectations on the Taste, I can still recommend to give this Dutch Baby Pancake a try.

For me, this is one of the More Unique Items on their Menu especially if you have never eaten it before. Because it does take at least 30 Mins to prepare, do manage your time and come earlier if you'd like to visit this Cafe.