Singapore-Style Handbrew Coffee with Pull Method

In the bustling Tianhe business district, where coffee shops line the streets, finding a satisfying cup amid the rush isn’t easy—especially when you need something more than just a quick jolt. Whether you want a fast, budget-friendly fix or a slow, crafted experience, there’s a local coffee scene evolving right outside your office.

If you’re looking for authentic Singapore-style coffee made by hand in Guangzhou’s Tianhe, head to newly opened Yafu on Tianhe South 1st Road. They serve kopi-inspired drinks like Coffee 12 (¥12) and Coffee-C (¥12), brewed using a one-pull technique with added sugar—not corn—for balance. Their signature hand-pulled method mimics South Asian ‘pull tea’ but adapted gently for coffee flavor.

What Is Singapore-Style Handbrew Coffee?

Singapore-style coffee, or kopi, is known for its bold, dark roast and often includes sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk. Unlike standard filtered coffee, it’s typically brewed under pressure through a sock filter, resulting in a thicker, richer cup. Local drinkers customize their order with terms like Kopi (coffee with sweetened condensed milk and sugar), Kopi O (black coffee with sugar), and Kopi C (coffee with evaporated milk and sugar).

At Yafu, they follow these conventions but replace the traditional kopi terms with English ones like Coffee and Coffee-C. Their dark-roasted coffee is enhanced with a touch of sugar—no corn—and brewed manually using a pull method inspired by South Asian ‘pull tea.’ While traditional pull tea involves six back-and-forth pours, their coffee pull is limited to just one gentle motion to preserve taste integrity.

The Pull-Brew Technique: Why One Pull?

The ‘pull’ method mimics the theatrical pouring of South Asian chai but is reworked for coffee. In Singaporean coffee culture, this technique is rare but adds flair. At Yafu, baristas train extensively to perfect a single controlled pour. Unlike the six-fold pour of teh tarik (pull tea), coffee only undergoes one pull to avoid over-aeration and unwanted bitterness.

This hand-pulled pour aims to create a smoother extraction without the instability of multiple pours. Baristas must learn to control height, angle, and speed precisely. The result is a cup that feels closer to a crafted pour-over but retains the boldness of traditional Singapore kopi. The technique is as much about showmanship as it is about refining extraction through minimal intervention.

Kopi-Style Drinks on the Menu

Yafu serves several traditional Singapore-style coffee drinks, each with clear sugar and milk variations:

• Coffee 12 – Coffee with evaporated and condensed milk, sweetened (¥12)
• Coffee-C 12 – Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar (¥12)
• Coffee-O 10 – Black coffee with sugar (¥10)

They also serve classic kaya toast (¥12) and waffles (¥15), adding a nostalgic Singaporean café vibe to the Tianhe neighborhood. These pair perfectly with their handpulled coffee for an authentic experience inspired by the Lion City’s street-side stalls.

Summer Alternatives: Customizable Iced Blends

For warmer days, Starbucks in Tianhe offers over 87,000 possible combinations of iced beverages through its customizable ‘Starbucks Iced Blendeds’ . Customers can mix espresso types, milk options (including low-fat and soy), syrups (like mocha, vanilla, and raspberry), and toppings (whipped cream, caramel drizzle) with options for low-calorie versions.

• Strawberry Soy Milk Iced Blended (¥30) – Made with strawberry jam, soy milk, ice, and whipped cream; dairy-free option available
• Low-Fat Mocha Iced Blended (¥30) – Uses low-fat milk, focusing on chocolate and coffee notes without heavy cream

Each drink can be tailored using a personalized order card that lets you select coffee strength, milk type, syrup flavor, and topping. This makes it easy to reorder your favorite mix or experiment with new profiles on future visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ‘pull’ method used in Yafu’s coffee?

Yafu’s pull method is a single gentle pouring motion inspired by South Asian ‘pull tea’ (teh tarik), but adapted for coffee. Unlike teh tarik’s six back-and-forth pulls, Yafu limits the coffee pull to one motion to avoid over-aeration and preserve the coffee’s flavor profile. This technique is part of their Singapore-style manual brewing process.

What is the difference between Coffee, Coffee-C, and Coffee-O at Yafu?

These are Singapore-style drinks: Coffee (¥12) is coffee with evaporated and condensed milk and sugar; Coffee-C (¥12) is coffee with evaporated milk and sugar; Coffee-O (¥10) is black coffee with sugar. They replace the traditional Hokkien term ‘Kopi’ with English for clarity while keeping the same preparation style.

Does Yafu add corn to their coffee like some Singaporean blends?

No. While some Singapore coffee recipes add corn to darken the roast, Yafu uses sugar instead to balance the flavor. They do not include corn in their blend, focusing instead on a more authentic taste without filler ingredients.

How many drink combinations can you make at Starbucks in Tianhe?

Starbucks in Tianhe offers over 87,000 possible drink combinations for its iced blended beverages. You can mix different espresso strengths, milk types (including low-fat and soy), various syrups (like vanilla, strawberry, and mocha), and choose toppings such as whipped cream. There are also low-calorie options available.

What are the best food pairings with Singapore-style coffee at Yafu?

Yafu recommends pairing their handpulled coffee with kaya toast (¥12) or waffles (¥15). These classic Singaporean café items complement the bold, milky profile of drinks like Coffee 12 and Coffee-C, offering an authentic tasting experience similar to Singapore street-side coffee shops.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Singapore-Style Coffee

For a Singapore-style kopi experience at home, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedeb for bright citrus and floral notes, or their PWN Golden Mandheling for a bold, dark roast with chocolate and spice. Both highlight different sides of the rich, milky coffee tradition. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.